Fasting...

The idea of fasting has always intrigued me. Growing up, I went to school with kids who fasted for religious reasons, and I still know people of certain faiths who do it today. Back then, the fasting kids talked endlessly about the big party they’d have afterward—the celebratory feast that followed their “holy time” of food restrictions. Honestly, that part sounded pretty great.

More recently, fasting has gone mainstream. It’s no longer just spiritual; it’s strategic. People fast for weight loss, fitness, longevity—sometimes all at once. Somewhere along the way, fasting traded robes for athleisure.

But the concept itself is ancient. Fasting has been around since the beginning of time. For cave people, it wasn’t a wellness trend; it was just life. No Metro. No Farmer’s Market. Even later, for people who farmed or hunted their own food, seasonal changes and harsh weather likely forced periods of fasting. Sometimes intention follows necessity.

Most religious traditions also include fasting in some form. Christians are approaching Lent, a season that invites people to give something up—or bring something meaningful in—to grow spiritually or serve others. Muslims fast during Ramadan from sunrise to sunset, a practice meant to bring them closer to God and cultivate empathy for those with less. Jews fast several times a year for reflection, mourning, and atonement, particularly during observances like Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av.

In yoga, there’s the principle of Brahmacharya, often understood as moderation—living along the middle path, with just enough. There’s also Tapas, the discipline of doing something challenging to deepen spiritual awareness, sometimes by resting the digestive system. Even here, fasting isn’t about deprivation; it’s about clarity.

Of course, if you run your algorithm on any social media platform, fasting suddenly looks very different. You’ll find an app promising to teach you how to fast for optimal fat burning, complete with a workout plan, a countdown clock, and—naturally—a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I’ve fasted several times over the years, but the most impactful experience was during my time at a Vipassana meditation centre near Montebello. We ate two modest vegetarian meals a day and meditated for about ten hours daily (with breaks—lots of sitting). When you’re expending very little physical energy, hunger tends to quiet down after a day or so. And for many, fasting in that context can deepen meditation and even foster a stronger sense of connection to something greater.

Fasting has also become something I choose to do around this time of year. I’ve learned that a full food fast doesn’t always work for me, so I opt for a juice fast, with fruits or vegetables if needed. It feels like a gentle reset for my body, and I notice that it deepens my meditation practice and strengthens my sense of discipline.

This year, though, I’ve decided to try a different kind of fast.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been leaving my phone on my nightstand while I make dinner and spend time with my children. I’ve been reading actual books instead of doom scrolling. And you know what? I kind of like the distance. It feels… spacious.

So I’m motivated to take it further. Go big or go home, right?

My biggest distraction—the thing that quietly pulls me away from fully experiencing my life—is social media. The scrolling, the checking, the endless stream of other people’s moments. So, for a while, I’m going to delete the apps and stay off. I’ll bring my phone upstairs when I get home from work and actually be home.

I’d love to say I’ll make it forty days as a disciplined practice, but I’m not sure. I’ll miss the dopamine hits: the messages, the shared laughs, the little hearts lighting up with a “like.” It feels good. I don’t hate it. I’m just curious about who I am without it for a while.

As for a food fast, I’ve been dealing with some digestive issues lately, and a digestive fast doesn’t feel right. So instead, I’m committing to clean eating. I do pretty well most days, but I’ll admit—the junk food my adult sons bring home after a fun Costco run really tests my resolve. What can I say? I love a good cookie for breakfast.

So if you enjoy the “how-to” videos with @yogajenni or the lazy posts of my dog, stay tuned. They’ll be back—just with a little more consciousness… and maybe better filters. As for the blog - it does not run off of social media and I can share directly from the platform so stay tuned to see how it's all going unless you're fasting from the internet - then best of luck to you!!!