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Frequently Asks Questions

FAQs

  1. How can I best prepare myself for a 5 day fast?

  2. Are there any contra-indications to Fasting?

  3. Can I continue on with my ‘normal life’ while Fasting?

  4. What can I do if I’m tempted to break my 5 day Fast?

  5. Is there support throughout the day?

  6. How will I feel after 5 days of Fasting?

  7. Is this something that I can continue to do on my own?

  8. Can I stay connected with the retreat participants after the retreat?

  9. What are the benefits of Fasting?

  10. Does Fasting help with Digestion?

  11. Does Fasting help with Fatigue?

  12. How does Fasting help with Detoxification?

  13. Does Fasting help boost immunity?

  14. Can Fasting help with Weight Reduction?

  15. Can Fasting help with Stress?

How can I best prepare myself for a 5 day fast?

For the week prior to your fast -

  • reduce your total food intake, making each meal slightly smaller than usual.

  • Reduce especially fried foods, meat, refined sugar, processed food and chemicals - preservatives, colourings.  If you are a big caffeine consumer it may also be wise to reduce intake leading up to your fast.

  • Drink some cleansing herbal tea daily eg, dandelion, kawakawa tea, kumarahou tea.

  • Mentally prepare yourself by affirming and visualising your desired successful outcome

Are there any contra-indications to Fasting?

Generally no.  However there are particular situations or conditions where we may advise modifications.  Please talk with us about your personal concerns.

1 Perparing for a Fast

Can I continue on with my ‘normal life’ while Fasting?

We suggest for first time fasters that they allow themselves extra spaciousness during the fast for relaxation, self-care and reflection. 

What can I do if I’m tempted to break my 5 day Fast?

Setting a clear intention and goal before you start fasting is important. We and the group are here to support you in staying motivated and on track.

Is there support throughout the day?

We will establish a Whatsapp group at the start of the fast for those who wish to be connected.  Jules and Michael will be available throughout the day should you need to connect.

How will I feel after 5 days of Fasting?

Bright eyed and bushy tailed!  Most people feel refreshed, energised, rejuvenated, lighter and refocused on their life.

Is this something that I can continue to do on my own?

Absolutely.  We strongly recommend regular fasting as part of a healthy lifestyle.  You’ll gain the knowledge to confidently fast on your own whenever you like.

Can I stay connected with the retreat participants after the retreat?

Yes.  Many friendships are borne from fasting together; the support of the whole group can make the journey so much more enjoyable.

What are the benefits of Fasting?

Fasting is the most ancient, freely available, non-harmful and powerful healing strategy known to humankind.  It can reduce inflammation, initiate cellular cleansing and naturally reduce our viral load by eliminating dysfunctional and viral-infected cells and stimulating the production of new healthier immune cells.

 

Fasting has been shown have these positive benefits:

 

  • Increased energy levels

  • Increased immunocompetence

  • Increased mental alertness and concentration

  • Increased emotional harmony

  • Increased and more rapid repair of tissue

  • Healing of dis-ease

  • Increased elimination of toxins

  • Decrease of pain and inflammation

  • Healing of skin giving clearer complexion

  • Reduction of body weight

  • Increased awareness of nutrition leading to change in nutritional habits

  • Increased sexual sensitivity, energy and pleasure

  • Increased flexibility and strength

  • Increased spiritual awareness and harmony

  • Rejuvenation of body and mind

Does Fasting help with Digestion?

Fasting stops the continual work of the digestive tract, whose activity can drain the body of energy and divert the healing process.  Each time we take in food, the body must go to work - secreting digestive enzymes, moving nutrients into cells and the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body.  All these functions require a substantial amount of vitality and energy - energy that might otherwise be used to fuel the healing process.  Many people have weakened or abnormal digestive function with symptoms ranging from gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel, weight issues, leaky gut, colitis and so on.  Unaddressed digestive issues can lead to high inflammation, acidity, toxicity and chronic disease.  Fasting allows the digestive tract to take a much needed break to restore itself to normalcy and health.

Does Fasting help with Fatigue?

Perhaps the single best barometer of our health is our energy level - or our vibrational level.  Fatigue is one of the first signs we are not well.  Upon completion of a successful fast, an increase of energy and vitality is one of the most commonly experienced benefits.

How does Fasting help with Detoxification?

When we abstain from solid food - whether juice, water or dry fasting - the body shifts from 'digestive mode' to 'clean-up mode' and the process of detoxification begins.  This can occur within a few hours of fasting, such as skipping a meal, and continue for as long as the body has toxins and cellular debris to eliminate.  All of us live in a world containing toxins.  Our food, environment and indeed our thoughts and emotions all contain toxins which we must clean out from time to time in order to maintain and sustain a level of wellbeing.  Just as we clean our houses and vehicles to maintain smooth operation, our habits largely determine our degree of toxicity and we can choose a lifestyle of detoxification to include regular fasting and detox practices to keep us in good health.

Does Fasting help boost immunity?

Your immune system is your body’s defense against infection, and stress, unhealthy foods and exposure to toxins can weaken your immune system.  Fasting has been shown to help maintain strong and healthy immunity by reducing inflammation, turning on cellular cleansing and naturally reducing viral load by getting rid of dysfunctional and viral-infected cells and stimulating the production of new, healthier immune cells.

 

Fasting stimulates the process of autophagy, where the body breaks down old, damaged cells and abnormally developing cells to recycle for energy. The process of autophagy is part of the innate immune system and utilizes pattern recognition receptors to identify viral cell invaders.  Fasting and intermittent fasting stimulates autophagy processes which restrict viral infections and the replication of intracellular parasites. This catabolic process helps the body rid itself of intracellular pathogens as well as abnormal cancer cell development. It is also important in protecting the brain and tissue cells from abnormal growths, toxicity and chronic inflammation.

Can Fasting help with Weight Reduction?

Fasting will result in weight loss.  How much weight will depend upon the length of the fast, type of fast (water, juice, dry) and how much excess weight one has to begin with.  Fasting with the sole intention to lose weight is pointless unless you are willing to change your diet - if you return to your 'old' way of eating, you will gain that weight back.  We encourage people to explore past and current ways of eating, changing to a healthy diet and lifestyle to attain and sustain healthy weight.  Fasting will support this by interrupting patterns of unhealthy eating, wiping one's plate clean so to speak and motivating and inspiring a new healthier relationship to food and weight management.

Can Fasting help with Stress?

Stress comes in different forms.  Short-term stress is not only manageable but can be beneficial - it can motivate us, create resilience and make us stronger.  Chronic long-term stress however does not support a healthy bodymind, creating excessive levels of stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline.  Toxic stress is highly destructive and potentially fatal.  Regular fasting can lead to a reduction in oxidative cellular stress and help with issues of emotional stress by enhancing mental clarity, concentration, improved physical health and overall wellbeing.

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