It’s Kapha season!
Ahh. Take a slow, deep breath.
In Ayurevda, it is the kapha time of the year now. seeing us through to late spring. The winter/early spring season holds the perfect antidote to the fast-paced movement of summer and autumn This is a time to rest, reflect, hold space, vision, hibernate, and withdraw some of our outwardly-focused energy and redirect it inward.
On the other hand, the calm, peaceful nature of the winter/early spring can also seem a bit oppressive at times and can leave us feeling weighed down, heavy, stagnant, or uninspired. Actually, every season has the potential to either boost or reduce your sense of well-being depending on your natural constitution and any imbalances.
If you have a predominantly kapha constitution, the qualities of kapha (slow, steady, moist, smooth, oily, cool, heavy) will be expressed in your body and mind. Your frame and build will tend towards strong and robust and you will likely have large eyes, a radiant complexion and thick, lustrous hair.
You are probably friendly, compassionate and easy going too. If you know someone with a kapha personality then they are probably a really loyal and nourishing friend. When in balance, kapha types are the teddy bears amongst us, sweet in nature and an absolute pleasure to be around.
However, the heavier qualities of kapha can sometimes leave kapha types feeling a little sluggish and lethargic; they are the soundest sleepers of all the dosha types.
When it comes to getting things done then, kapha-dominated types tend to take their time! However, while they might be slow getting going, they are dedicated and absolutely dependable.
Kapha types often have a sweet tooth and may struggle with their weight, especially when it comes to shedding pounds. With a kapha-balancing diet however they can feel much more balanced.
Here are some of the kapha dosha characteristics (please note that we all have some kapha in our bodies and minds):
How to balance kapha:
Ayurveda offers us changes in lifestyle, diet and medicinal herbs.
Lifestyle
Enjoy daily exercise that gets your blood and lymph moving, such as power walking, jogging, cycling, yoga, swimming, a minimum of 5 days a week.
Staying warm and dry, regardless of the weather
Lively and invigorating music, smells, experiences and company.
Saunas and sunbathing
Trying not to over sleep – early bed, early rise!
A daily massage with warm sesame oil
Getting lots of fresh air
Trying new hobbies and activities, taking risks and being spontaneous – even taking a different route to work each day can help!
Stimulating your body and mind on a daily basis
Dietary
Enjoy:
Foods that are bitter, pungent and astringent in taste.
Warm foods, both energetically and in temperature.
Heating spices—like chili, black or cayenne pepper, ginger, cumin and cinnamon
Whole, freshly cooked foods including lots of fresh veggies (favor warm cooked veggies as much as possible)
Light, dry, and warm foods (both energetically and in temperature)
Honey, in moderation, and never cooked.
Only room temperature or warm drinks and herbal teas
Most beans, mung dal, well-cooked tofu or tempeh, or warm soy milk are all okay.
A minimal amount of high-quality sesame, sunflower oil, or ghee in your daily diet.
Eating your meals at routine times.
Taking a deep breath after swallowing your last bite and heading off for your next activity.
Enjoy coffee and caffeine only in moderation.
Avoid:
Foods that are sweet, sour and salty in taste
Cooling foods both energetically and in temperature – no frozen foods or foods eaten straight from the fridge
Heavy and oily foods such as cheese, milk chocolate, chips, nuts, pastries etc
Heavily processed foods such as canned food or ready-meals.
Overeating or eating heavy meals, especially in the evening
Excessive red meat
Foods or drinks which contain refined sugar or syrup, no carbonated drinks
Deep fried foods
Alcohol except the off glass of dry white or red wine
Herbal medicine
Please book an appointment with me so that you can be prescribed herbal medicine appropriate to you and your body/mind/spirit.
Kapha-nourishing Mung bean soup