Jody Vassallo - The Yogic Kitchen

Elements

Elements that dominate this dosha – Water and Earth

Elements that aggravate this dosha – Water and Earth

Elements that calm this dosha – Fire, Air and Space

Tastes that aggravate the dosha – sweet, sour, salty

Tastes that calm the dosha – bitter, pungent, astringent

Time of day

6am–10am and 6pm–10pm. This is the time of day when Kapha will be more obvious in the body and mind.

Time of year

In spring Kapha can be more aggravated in the body. Spring is known as Kapha time (mucus) where we eat light foods, move our body more and shake out any excess weight we have accumulated in winter. This is the season when Kapha types will struggle with respiratory issues, especially a mucus build up; they may struggle losing the extra weight they gained in winter and could even find themselves slipping into depression.

Time of life

0–18 years is the time that Kapha will be more prominent in the body.

Kapha is responsible forcompassion, loyalty, patience, forgiveness, body structure (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments) and stability, lubrication and protection.

KAPHA OUT OF BALANCE

The site of Kapha in the bodyis the chest, lungs, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth and tongue, bones, plasma and mucus, and this is where Kapha will present more strongly when it is out of balance.

Signs that Kapha is out of balance in the body

Lethargy, laziness, difficulty getting out of bed after a good night’s sleep, feeling unmotivated, or beginning to isolate yourself and withdraw from friends are signs of imbalance. Kaphas may become greedy and attached or might find themselves overeating or eating for comfort, especially sweet or fatty foods. Weight gain, fluid retention, coughs and colds, slow bowel movements, diabetes, oily skin and hair, congestion in the chest and lungs, excess mucus, asthma, excessive sweet cravings and tender breasts before menstruation are other symptoms Kaphas may experience. Enlarged breasts, emotional eating, watery mucousy blood at period time, long heavy flow, depression and moodiness may also present as symptoms. They might also complain of oily stools that sink and feeling that they have not fully emptied their bowls after going to the toilet.

Kapha types are more likely to go out of balance in spring.

Spring/Kapha health issues:Fluid retention, excess mucus, coughs and colds, slow bowel movements, increased body weight, depression.

Habits and lifestyle factors that imbalance Kapha

Eating too many sweet foods (this includes fruit); eating cold, white, damp foods (especially ice-cream, milk and yoghurt); excess dairy in the diet; too much alcohol or sweet drinks; overeating (especially in the evening before bed); overexposure to cold damp environments, lack of exercise, sleeping during the day and going to bed with wet hair and drinking too much liquid be it water or hot drinks; and sitting around doing nothing for long periods at a time.

Out of balance Kapha individuals can be stubborn, possessive and greedy. Kaphas have a strong attachment to money and will often stay in jobs they are unhappy in if they are making good money.

Environmental effects

The amount of water and earth element in their constitution means they have an aversion to cold damp weather, and if exposed to these conditions for long periods of time, they can develop respiratory issues. Kaphas need to be aware of mould and rising damp in their homes and parents may need to place dehumidifiers in children’s rooms during the winter or rainy seasons. Most Kaphas will be much happier and healthier in warmer, drier climates than in cooler, wetter or even humid regions.

KEYStimulation, variety, good exercise, reduce sweets, stay warm.

AVOIDCold and damp environments, sleeping during the day, sleeping after sunrise, doing nothing, isolation.

BALANCING KAPHA

Activities that will calm Kapha

Vigorous exercise, especially in the morning between 6am–10am, running, cycling, aerobic activity and competitive sports. Learning a new skill, stimulating the mind, changing or varying your daily routine will keep you from feeling stuck and bogged down. Travel, seeking out new friendships and meeting new people – these will get you out of your comfort zone. Have your main meal at lunchtime.

Stimulating remedies– dry brushing or exfoliating self massage with warmed cold pressed sesame oil, energetic exercise that raises a sweat for at least 30 minutes per day (think running, cycling, yoga or hiking) drinking hot water and lemon with a small pinch of cayenne on waking to stimulate digestion, keeping warm, and standing at one’s desk instead of sitting.

Stimulating lifestyle choices– listening to music or audio that stimulates the mind, walking rather than driving, socialising instead of choosing to be alone.

So-called healthy foods that may increase the mucus and dampness in the body– yoghurt, cheese, bananas, smoothies, acai bowls, chilled drinks, fruit juices, green smoothies.

HOW KAPHA MANIFESTS IN THE BODY

Heavy– Kaphas have heavy bones with solid frames, bulky muscles and can be overweight, they have calm deep voices and are usually quite grounded in mind and body.

Slow/Dull– They can tend to be slow to react, they walk and speak slowly, and only speak after allowing time to think about what they are going to say. Kaphas have a sluggish metabolism.

Cool– They have cold clammy skin, they often get a cold, cough or congestion, and they are drawn to cooling sweet foods.

Oily– They have soft oily skin, hair and faeces and well-lubricated joints.

Liquid– Kaphas tend to have a problem with fluid retention, congestion in their chest, nose and throat, and excess mucus; this can be very obvious in young children with runny noses.

Smooth– Blessed with soft smooth alabaster like skin and a smooth calm nature.

Dense– This quality ensures Kaphas have thick hair, nails, skin and muscles.

Soft– They have soft doe-like eyes and a very soft caring nature, which makes them extremely forgiving.

Static– This unfortunately can make them very happy sitting around, sleeping for long periods of time.

Sticky– They can have a tendency to become quite attached to things they care about.

Cloudy– Kaphas can have a foggy mind in the morning, they can also take a while to understand things at the best of times.

Hard– This quality gives the firm muscles and strength in both mind and body.