Ramadan learnings and tips
This was my third year fasting for Ramadan, and it is becoming a little easier each year. Easier or different, I certainly go deeper into my understanding of Ramadan and, in doing so, learn more about myself, habits, patterns, where the power comes from to move through challenging times, and how to transform negativity into something positive.
Ramadan stems from the Arabic word ‘ramad’, meaning intense heat. Ramadan is for burning sins, toxins, unhealthy habits, thoughts, etc.
In the days leading up to Ramadan, I started to feel excited. Having re-read my blog from last year and looked at some old photos, I could see the clarity in my eyes. I remembered that and the feeling of being part of a spiritual community; I was ready for that again.
Fresh back from an indulgent trip to London, where I didn’t hold back on consumption, my body was ripe for a cleanse. I started to get organized, stocking up on healthy breakfast foods, supplements (iron, vitamins, protein sources), and journalling.
Here is what I learned during Ramadan this year
It helps to set an intention for your Ramadan:
This is something for you to have as a goal or focus for the month. I set one and prayed for that and peace every day. It helped seeing the progress throughout the month.
Ramadan puts a magnifying glass over what you allow into your body/ mind:
When you know that you’re not going to eat or drink anything from around 5.30 am until 7 pm, you think about what goes into your body. Is that croissant going to sustain me all day? How much water can I drink without spending the whole night feeling uncomfortable or on the toilet!?
I tried a few different suhoor, pre-sunrise meals out: eggs, porridge, toast. The hands-down winner for feeling full the longest was a bowl of chia seeds, yoghurt, sesame seeds, walnuts, and chopped banana. I would drink around three glasses of water. One of my biggest fears with fasting was getting a dehydration/caffeine cleanse headache. I also sometimes had kefir, which felt like a natural boost for the stomach.
When you remove the physical, material things, there’s space for the spiritual stuff. Fill up the space created by fasting intentionally: prayer, nourishment, positive actions, connection, creativity, and kind thoughts.
Reminder, it’s a process, and the hardest part is the beginning; once you adapt, it gets easier:
The first week was the hardest part regarding having enough energy to do everything I wanted. I couldn’t focus on work, so I let that go for a few days until my body and mind had adapted to the new routine. Eventually, the energy not used by the digestion becomes available for the brain and focus. By day three, I was already feeling a deep sense of gratitude for life. Life, in its simplest, greatest form. This gratitude and connection to others carried me through the challenging moments.
Find ways to recharge your energy that aren’t food:
Go for a gentle walk. I would go twice a day with Lola, my dog; she has enough energy for the two of us. I felt calmer and present during these walks, without rushing for anything. Why would I rush when the day stretched ahead of me?
Online YouTube yoga classes with ‘Yoga with Adriene’ or ‘Yoga with Kassandra’, their classes are the perfect balance of good vibes and a gentle, sometimes more challenging, energising flow.
I also found breathwork to be beneficial, especially the breath of fire.
Chatting with family and friends, in person or on WhatsApp, that connection boosts me every time!
A nap followed by a cold shower alleviated fatigue and dehydration.
Ramadan is an amazing opportunity to experience and practice mindfulness:
I found that the jobs I would usually rush through, cooking, cleaning, washing up, and laundry, became something to enjoy. There was plenty of space in the day for everything; why rush? So much time was saved from not sitting with a cup of tea, snacking, and eating during the day. I experimented with new recipes, and loved hosting new and old friends for the sunset meal, iftar, knowing that we were sharing a meal with millions of others worldwide is mindblowing. Cleaning the house became a daily thing. I started to notice things that were really dusty, such as high parts of the wall and hidden corners, as if the cleansing of the body was mirrored by the house wanting the same. Everything is connected.
See Ramadan as an opportunity to do a home retreat:
I have been on yoga retreats in Spain, the UK, and Morocco. Ramadan is different. It’s a retreat in your home. You start to observe all your daily habits under a magnifying glass. It becomes a great way to create new habits and healthier patterns. See ya later, daily coffee and cake.
Find something to do in place of going to the Mosque:
I was born a Christian and enjoy connecting to the church and some of its rituals and traditions. Although I have adopted Islamic values into my daily life, I have not converted to Islam and, therefore, would not recite the same prayers as the rest of the community. Still, I pray and find other ways to connect to God and spirituality.
As a yoga teacher, rereading some of my favourite yoga philosophy books helped, like Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele, with daily and gentle reminders of what’s important. Instead of going to the Mosque, I enjoyed practicing meditation, yin yoga, yoga nidra, and dedicating time for journaling, positive affirmations and prayer.
Seven words to summarise Ramadan:
Fasting. Peace. Spirituality. Connection. Community. Clarity. Gratitude
Thank you for reading, and thank you Ramadan. Until next year!