3 Ways to Balance Kapha
Spring is the season of rebirth and renewal.
It is the time of transformation, shifting from a place of hibernation to a place of awakening, rebirth. During this time, we notice that the sun shines and provides longer daylight, the birds begin each morning with a sweet melody, and we experience more rain, offering us a sense of hope for a green Spring/Summer. What’s not to love about Spring?
In the Northland, we embrace this seasonal transition from Vata to Kapha with a little more ease and excitement than perhaps most as the Kapha season tends to linger more up here with April snow storms. For me, I become more energized when I submerge myself in nature through this transition, despite the odd weather. Any mildly warm and sunny day, we take full advantage.
Kapha represents our earthly-watery characteristics. The word Kapha translates to the english word “cough” and can be represented by the condition of our respiratory system. Within the body, Kapha provides lubrication for the joints and body. When in balanced, Kapha provides strength and a sense of grounding. When out of balance, we feel lethargic, heavy. Our bodies may also over lubricate showing up as phlegm or mucus within the body.
With sunshine and spring showers, we notice a more damp environment all around us. Transitioning out of the extended Kapha season, we find ourselves falling into old winter habits and carrying with us some of those kapha tendencies; feelings of laziness or weight gain. It is during this transition we may experience more colds or allergies as we shed winter layers while welcoming the dampness, and renewal of spring.
It is especially important for us to balance out our Kapha dosha during the wet, damp season of spring as to avoid potential chances for ‘dis-ease’. Because our Kapha dosha (imbalance) represents our chest; symptoms experienced during this season may include; a cold, sinus infections, allergies, and so forth, indicating a disturbance to the respiratory function. Pranayama is a wonderful technique to help strengthen our respiratory function. You can read more about that here.
There are many ways to help balance out your Kapha dosha during this transitional time. Below I have listed a few suggestions to help you get started.
Follow a Routine
Develop a rhythm that helps you feel lighter, physically and mentally.
Wake up early. Sleeping in adds to Kapha’s already lethargic tendency. How you spend the first few hours in the morning can set you up for a great day!
Begin the day as the sun rises with positive affirmations, your sankalpa, meditation, or breathwork.
Find something you enjoy: a morning walk, journaling, or reading a good book, and stick with it every day for at least the next 30 days. See how you feel after following a routine.
Start slow.
2. Eat Lighter Foods
Nourish your body well. Spring calls for more bitter, spicy food to help eliminate toxins and cleanse the body of mucus. Avoid sweets, sours, and salty foods. Plan your meals in advance, meal prep if you can.
3. Exercise
Ideally in the morning, exercise is great for circulation and for stimulating the immune system. Spring is a great season for long hikes, morning runs, and movement such as yoga. Soak in that sunshine! Absorb some natural vitamin D.
Spring is a wonderful time to ramp up your yoga practice to help keep the Kapha within all of us balanced. For me, when balanced, I notice no lack of energy for extended hikes, late nights, and exhilarating adventures. I’m learning to really embrace this wet, yet beautiful season.
Yoga International offers more suggestions on how to embrace this transitional change based off of your specific dosha. You can view that article here
Written by: Joella Erin
You may also like:
How to Use the Breath to Release Unwanted Emotions
When Change is Brewing on the Horizon
Source:
http://chopra.com/sites/default/files/TMBD-S5-SeasonalRoutinesAndTheDoshas.pdf
https://www.mapi.com/ayurvedic-knowledge/seasonal-health/balance-kapha-dosha-during-spring.html
