30/07/2022
Feeling Sluggish & Tired? Your Kapha Dosha Might Be Out of Balance
As we move through the waning days of winter and into the emergence of spring, we’re simultaneously transitioning into kapha season. In Ayurveda, the seasons are divided into three, with each governed by a different dosha—pitta, vata, and kapha—all of which have distinct qualities, or gunas. Late winter to springtime is governed by kapha.
During this time, it’s important to take steps to keep excess kapha at bay so as not to experience an imbalance. Just as the ice from winter begins to melt away, the kapha we have accumulated during vata season begins to release in our bodies. This excess kapha is ideally eliminated, but if we aren’t properly aligning our bodies with the cycles of the seasons, this can lead to symptoms like excess body fluid, feeling sluggish, slow and sticky bowel movements, seasonal allergies, and excess mucus.
Here, we explain how to spot kapha imbalances, properly prepare for seasonal shifts, and take care of your body during springtime.
Qualities of the kapha dosha
It is important to understand the qualities of each dosha because in Ayurveda, doshas are balanced by incorporating more of their opposite qualities.
The kapha dosha is ruled by water and earth. Some of its qualities include heavy, moist, slow, cold, and unctuous. Since springtime is governed by kapha, it has the same qualities, which can increase the existing kapha in our systems, potentially leading to imbalance.
Signs of a kapha Imbalance
A kapha imbalance is directly related to an excess amount of earth and water in the system. When these elements become predominant in the body, they can create disruptions emotionally, physically, and even lead to disease in the long term. It’s important to spot signs of kapha imbalance to begin balancing the dosha before it continues to accumulate. Some signs of kapha imbalance include:
Excess bodily fluids and mucus
Seasonal allergies
A thick, white coating on the tongue
Sticky and sluggish bowel movements
Weight gain and difficult losing weight
Difficulty rising in the morning
Brain fog and lethargy
Feeling overly sentimental, complacent, or stubborn
Tendency for “emotional overeating”
Shift your daily routines & practices
In Ayurveda, our daily rituals and practices are known as dinacharya (in Sanskrit, dina means day and charya means routine). These rituals promote our overall health and well-being and should shift and change with the seasons to keep our doshas balanced.
Warming, invigorating, and stimulating practices can help us shake off the slower, heavier, and tired feelings of spring.
