Kapha Doṣa

What is a Doṣa (Dough-Sha)? (Can be skipped for those who are already familiar)

A Doṣa in Ayurveda refers to the bodily, mental, and emotional constitution of a person. There are three main Doṣa called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each one being made up of two elements. Each person is born with one or two predominant Doṣa (known as prakṛti) which will often determine the unique qualities in both their physical and mental makeup. When dis-ease begins to manifest, we can see how two or more elements, and their qualities, begin expressing in an “excessive” manner. The way in which we restore balance then, is through using opposing elements and qualities to those that are aggravated to begin with.

• Vata = Ether/Space (Ākāśa) + Air (Vāyu) 

• Pitta = Fire (Agni) + Water (Āpas)

• Kapha = Water (Āpas) + Earth (Pṛthvī) 

KAPHA DOṣA

Elements of Kapha Doṣa: Water (Āpas) & Earth (Pṛthvī)

• Governs structure, stability, lubrication, growth, and nourishment within the body

• Protects and regulates the nervous system by lubricating the brain and the spine

• Brings calmness and compassion

• Maintains functioning of memory

• Lubricates the lungs (in between pleural layers also), and nourishes the whole respiratory system

• Nourishes the pericardium (thin sac that surrounds the heart that keeps it lubricated and in place within the thoracic cavity)

• Protects the inner lining of the stomach (from acidity of hydrochloric acid and from our food/drink)

• Moistens food through saliva, and through mucous secretions in the stomach — governs swallowing and proper digestion

• Governs smooth and calm voice — due to moisture in mouth and throat — Lubricates the oral cavity and the throat

• Kapha is what helps us interpret tastes on the tongue

• Lubricates the joints allowing for smooth and painless movement

• Works as a shock absorber in our joints

• Lubricates and nourishes the skin

Qualities of Kapha Doṣa:

Snigdhah shita gururmandah shlakshno mritsnah sthirah kaphah— The qualities of Kapha are oily, cold, heavy, slow/dull, slimy/smooth, soft, and stable — Ashtanga Hrdayam: Sutrasthana I:12

Kapha’s Physical Body

• Tend to have broader and bigger body frames/bone structure

• Difficulty losing weight - slower metabolism

• Body is stable and grounded

• High endurance for exercise and standing for long periods of time

• Cold/clammy (humid) skin

• Pale complexion and whitish discoloration

• Hair will usually be big, lustrous, and have lots of volume

• Eyes, lips, teeth and facial features will be bigger and rounder

• Water retention/edema/swelling

• Excessive mucous in the lungs, nasal cavity, and oral cavity

• Pass mucous in the stools and stools may also be sticky and difficult to pass (larger in size)

• Cold extremities

• Cholesterol and blood pressure may be high

• They’re movements will be slower

• They may not like too much activity and prefer sitting/laying down on the couch, watching movies — tendency towards sedentary lifestyle

• Tend towards sugar cravings

• Fatigue/laziness/sluggishness - difficulty getting out of bed in the morning

Kapha’s Mental and Emotional Body

• Loving/kind/sweet

• Soft-spoken

• Very nurturing

• Calm, peaceful, graceful

• Mindful

• Dependable

• Reliable

• Becomes easily attached to things and others

• Doesn’t like change

• Sadness/Grief/Melancholy

• Cries very easily

• Lack of motivation

• Depression

• Emotional eating

• Mental fogginess

What Balances Kapha Doṣa?

Kapha Doṣa is balanced by the elements of air, space, and fire. Air and space give Kapha a lightness required for them to feel active and flexible to change. Air and space also help to dry out any excessive Kapha that might be present in the lungs, throat, or tissues. The fire element works to motivate and simulate the slowness of Kapha, as well as to kindle their digestive fires/metabolism so that they can maintain a healthy body weight and avoid the accumulation of AMA/toxins/metabolic waste.

Things That Balance Kapha Doṣa

• FOOD:

  • Avoiding heavy, mucous producing, and water retaining foods such as:

    • Hydrophilic foods (water retaining) - yoghurt, watermelon, cucumber, salt, tomatoes, most fermented/pickled food that contain high levels of sodium, salt water fish

    • Mucous producing foods - Bananas, cucumber, yoghurt, cold dairy (milk, cheese, ice cream), cold food or drinks in general

    • Heavy foods - wheat, alcohol, potatoes, meat, dairy, cooked oatmeal, sweets

  • Adding some heating spices/herbs that kindle Agni/metabolism such as:

    • Cumin, mustard seeds, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, chili, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley

    • Favor bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes

• Not sleeping longer than 7 hours each night

• Getting up early, before 6am is preferable (as 6-10am is Kapha time of day)

• Exercise should be a bit more vigorous than Vata and Pitta. An hour of cardio per day is healthy for Kapha. Light jogging, playing sports (which will help with motivation)

• Making sure to understand anything that may trigger/root cause of sadness or depression is important for Kapha, so that they can take action before the sadness settles in deeply, or they begin to emotionally eat

• Trying new things - Traveling - Getting out of comfort zone

• Meeting new people

• Laughter

• Finding other ways to feel inner love/joy, such as meditation - as not to use food as a coping mechanism for sadness/grief

• Speaking in public and sharing what is on their mind with others - as they tend to be shy

• Maintaining a lifestyle of discipline to help them stay motivated

• Spending plenty of time outside

• Including bitter herbs in their daily life to balance blood sugar, reduce sugar cravings, and over-eating

  … and well, much more!