Fasting is a discipline encouraged in both yoga and Christianity. It is among the few spiritual practices all major world religions share. It serves as a tool for self-discipline, facilitates time in prayer, and increases our focus on God. But what is fasting, and why should you fast? Let’s look at the history and meaning of fasting in yoga and Christianity and explore its physical, mental, and communal aspects.

Fasting in Yoga

Fasting plays a significant role in yoga as a physical and spiritual discipline. Abstaining from food is a tool used to purify the body and mind, enhance self-discipline, and deepen the mind-body connection. Let’s look at the role of fasting for yoga practitioners:

Purification

Physically, it allows the digestive system to rest and allows it some extra time to eliminate toxins. It aligns with the yoga principle of shaucha (meaning cleanliness and purity). Fasting is also seen as a means to clear the mind, providing a path for increased focus for life and meditation.

Self-Discipline

Fasting is a form of tapas (self-discipline or austerity), one of the Niyamas (observances) in the Eight Limbs of Yoga fasting helps to cultivate willpower, restraint, and control over desires, which are essential steps towards freedom in yoga philosophy.

Non-Attachment

Abstaining can also be seen as an expression of aparigraha (non-possessiveness or non-attachment). By abstaining from food, yogis can practice letting go of physical attachments. This can help to develop a sense of contentment and reduce the desire for material possessions.

Fasting in Christianity

Fasting holds a significant role in the life of Christians. It includes spiritual, physical, and communal aspects. The word fasting shows up more than 70 times in the Bible. Let’s look at the role of fasting for Christians:

Fasting in the Old Testament

The Old Testament commands fasting as part of the observances for Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), the Jewish people’s holiest day of the year. On this day, the high priest of Israel entered the Holy of Holies (both in the Tabernacle and Temple) with the blood of an unblemished lamb to make atonement for the nation of Israel. (Leviticus 16:29-30; Leviticus 23:27-31; Numbers 29:7).

It was often done as a lament or in response to sin, despair, and anguish (Joel 1:14; 2:12; 2:15; Jonah 3:5; Psalm 35:19; Daniel 9:3). It is frequently associated with weeping (Judges 20:26; Esther 4:3; Psalm 69:10; Joel 2:12) and the wearing of sackcloth (1 Kings 21:27; Nehemiah 9:1; Esther 4:3; Daniel 9:3).

It is also seen in conjunction with prayers of supplication. David fasted when his child was about to die in 2 Samuel 12:12. Nehemiah fasted with his prayers when asking that God would bless his request to King Artaxerxes so that he could return to his desolated homeland of Jerusalem. Likewise, Esther requested her fellow Jews to fast for her while she planned a banquet for her husband, King Ahasuerus, to reverse his decree to execute all the Jews (Esther 4:16).

Hannah was heartbroken and in despair over not having a child. She sought God through prayer and fasting, and God answered her prayers by giving her a son, Samuel, who would grow up to be one of the greatest leaders seen in the Old Testament (1 Sam. 1:1–20).

Fasting in The New Testament

Although there is no command in the New Testament to fast, it is an assumed activity that believers regularly participated in. In Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus makes this assumption twice: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (emphasis added).

Jesus himself fasted while he waited in the wilderness as preparation for his ministry (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus also had the expectation that his followers would fast and mourn upon his departure (Matthew 9:14-15; Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33-35).

Fasting in The Early Chuch

Fasting was a significant practice in the early Christian Church. Their actions were rooted in Jewish traditions and shaped by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The early Christians abstained regularly as part of the communal tradition and as a situational response.

Regular Fasting Days

Believers in the early Church fasted regularly on Wednesday and Friday from morning until mid-afternoon or evening. These two days represented the day that Jesus was betrayed and the day he suffered death for the salvation of believers.

Preparing for Sacraments

Fasting for one or two days was a common practice before baptism. Both the person being baptized and their sponsors fasted. It was a way to prepare spiritually for baptism, seek purification, and respond to the Holy Spirit.

Early Christians often fasted before receiving the Eucharist (Communion) as a sign of reverence and preparation to partake in the body and blood of Christ. This practice underscored the sacredness of the sacrament and the need to approach it with a pure heart.

Fasting Before Major Decisions, Events, or Crisis

Early Christians regularly fasted when seeking God’s direction or before major events like leaving for missions or starting a new church. Fasting was a way to appeal to God for protection, deliverance, or strength to endure trials. This practice mirrored the fasting traditions in the Old Testament, where fasting was often associated with seeking God’s help in difficult situations.

The early Church would often fast before ordaining bishops, priests, or deacons. This was done by both the candidates for ordination and the community, asking for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and blessing on the new leaders.

Spiritual Discipline

Some early Christians practiced fasting as a regular part of their personal spiritual discipline. This was done to cultivate self-control, humility, and closeness to God. It reflected the teaching of Jesus that fasting should be done with a sincere heart and not for public display (Matthew 6:16-18).

It was also practiced in times of mourning or deep repentance. This was a way to express sorrow for sin individually and collectively and seek God’s mercy.

Seasonal Fasting

Early Christians practiced fasting in preparation for Easter, similar to the 40-day Lenten fast many Christians partake in today. In some early Christian traditions, fasting was also observed during Advent, the season leading up to Christmas.

Fasting in Contemporary Christian Life

Since the New Testament does not specify how or when Christians should fast, they do so in a variety of ways. The manner, timing, and purpose of fasting differ among individuals and can change with different seasons of life. Here are a few reasons why you might choose to fast:

Spiritual Discipline, Devotion, and Worship

Fasting is mentioned throughout the Bible as a practice that pleases God when done with the right heart. It can be a tool to deepen your relationship with God. By abstaining from food or certain pleasures, we can create space to focus more intently on prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection. It’s a way to humble ourselves before God, seek His guidance, and listen to His voice. Fasting serves as a way to worship God physically with our bodies.

It can also serve as a mechanism to express a renewed commitment to live according to God’s will. It is often paired with increased prayer time. This may strengthen your prayer life or create discipline and habits around praying.

Self-Discipline and Self-Denial

Fasting helps remove worldly distractions and attachments. It builds self-control, humility, and dependence on God rather than physical sustenance.

We may choose to fast as a way to express sorrow for sin and to help build self-denial skills to help us better avoid some sins in the future. The practice provides a time for introspection and self-examination. By denying the flesh, we highlight the victory over temptation and sin in a relationship with Jesus.

Fasting requires consciously denying immediate desires for food. This practice strengthens self-discipline and helps us become more aware of our impulses. By repeatedly saying “no” to something as fundamental as eating, we build the muscle of self-control, making it easier to resist other temptations and impulses in everyday life.

In a culture that often encourages immediate gratification —whether through fast food, text messaging, or instant entertainment—fasting disrupts this pattern. It trains the mind and body to endure temporary discomfort for a greater purpose, shifting the focus from immediate pleasure to long-term spiritual or personal growth. It helps us to develop the virtue of patience. Over time, this patience can extend beyond fasting to other areas of life, where one might need to wait for results, success, or fulfillment.

Deepening Gratitude and Contentment

After fasting, even a simple meal can bring deep satisfaction and gratitude. This contrasts with the usual abundance and helps foster contentment with less. It leads to an appreciation for what we have rather than constantly seeking more. Contentment helps us reduce dependence on external sources for pleasure and comfort. It encourages us to place our satisfaction in the Lord.

A Word of Caution

Fasting is something that should be approached with seriousness. It requires dedication and planning and can consume more thoughts and energy than you might expect. If you struggle with body image, have or ever had an eating disorder, or have other health complications fasting from food might not be the best option for you. Please consult your healthcare provider before attempting a full food fast. Partial food fasts, or fasting from other things like social media or entertainment might be a better option for you.

Let’s Tie This All Together

Since fasting is a spiritual discipline in both yoga and Christianity, let’s look at how yoga can serve as a tool to help us in our walk of faith.

Yoga practices such as asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises) require focus and discipline, which strengthen self-control. By developing greater bodily awareness and self-mastery through yoga, we can better resist the physical cravings and discomforts often accompanying fasting.

Gentle yoga postures can help alleviate some of the physical discomforts associated with fasting, such as fatigue, feeling weak, muscle tension, or digestive issues. This can make the fasting experience more sustainable and less distracting, allowing us to focus more on prayer and spiritual reflection.

Yoga’s mindfulness practices can help calm the mind and enhance concentration. These mental practices help us maintain a prayerful mindset, reduce distractions, and focus our minds and hearts on Jesus.

Yoga’s emphasis on integrating body, mind, and spirit can help us approach fasting as a holistic practice. Instead of seeing it as merely abstaining from food, yoga can help us experience it as a comprehensive spiritual discipline that engages every aspect of our being and draws us closer to our Heavenly Father.