21 Day Detox Melon Fast Instructions
This is a great "detox" fast to do in the Summer. It is taken from Yogi Bhajan's book, "Foods for Health & Healing," which we carry at Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (KYL). This is designed to cleanse the liver, kidneys, intestines, renew bodily fluids and strip-off fat.
Fasting is more than just the absence of food… it is a very powerful tool for healing and strengthening the body. Dr. Siri Atma Singh Khalsa, M.D. — Yogi Bhajan's personal physician the last four years of his life (and an incredible yogi himself) — recommended we experience this fast. Dr. Siri Atma thought it would be especially beneficial to Hari Dev for cleansing the last of the toxins from his chemotherapy treatments.
Sticking to the fast is only part of the challenge. The physical cleansing of a fast is often accompanied by a mental cleansing as well. Simply begin the process and relax into it; the inner cleansing will happen. It is all about changing the consciousness, which is what we routinely experience through Kundalini Yoga and Meditation.
Here is the menu for the detox fast:
Days 1-3: Eat only cantaloupes (warming and laxative, prepares the kidneys to cleanse)
Days 4-6: Eat only watermelons (cooling, prepares the liver to cleanse)
Days 7-9: Eat only papayas (works on the intestines and digestion)
Day 10: Lemon and honey dissolved in water (clears the system of excess mucus)
Day 11: Plain water (not ice cold)
Day 12: Lemon and honey dissolved in water
Days 13-15: Eat only papayas
Days 16-18: Eat only watermelons
Days 19-21: Eat only cantaloupes
Note: Eating lots of fresh papayas is a challenge. An alternative is to get natural, dried papaya which has a chewy, sweet taste that you actually want to eat. Here is a good source of organic dried papaya.
The Best Days for Fasting
The moon has an influence on all ‘tides’ within your body. Yogi Bhajan recommends the following days are best to fast:
New Moon
11-Days After the New Moon
Full Moon
In Sanskrit, the word for fast is "upvas." This literally means, "sitting near to…". But sitting near to whom? The answer… near to God. Fast from sun-up until the next morning at breakfast, when you "break" the "fast." With a 24-hour fast, you shouldn't encounter much resistance from anyone in your family (provided you keep it low-key). Go about your normal business and observe how you feel. Most people experience no difficulty with a 24-hour fast. You might experience a few hunger pangs and/or light stomach turbulence.
By dinner time you'll probably get hungry. That is the time to stay away from food! Go out for a nice (Breath-)walk or do some light exercise. When you wake up the next morning, you will probably be hungry. Break your fast with some fresh fruit or steamed greens, but don't gorge yourself. Eat lightly several times during the day and keep drinking plenty of water to continue the cleansing process.
Fasting is like cleaning the house — it cleanses both your body and your mind. Fasting gives your body a rest and allows for the expulsion of toxins that have built up over time. Even after a 24-hour fast, I believe you will notice some benefits. Many people say they can think more clearly. Others observe that they can see things — literally and figuratively — more distinctly. Fasting has cumulative effects. The more often you do it, the more you will notice an intensifying of these positive effects.
Fasting is… a time of reflection… for peace of mind, body and spirit… a day of discipline… to purify you… to realize your Divine connection.