what is kapha body type?

Temps de lecture 3 min

understanding your dosha

Ayurveda, an ancient holistic system, fosters overall well-being by identifying root causes, preventing imbalances, and promoting self-awareness for better physical, mental, and emotional health.

At its core are doshas—unique energies governing our bodies and minds. Each person has a unique combination of three main dosha types: Kapha, Pitta, and Vata.

Understanding our dominant dosha and recognising imbalances empowers us to make informed lifestyle choices, fostering inner harmony and balance in our lives.

kapha: personality and body type

Mind

Naturally calm, thoughtful, caring, and loving.

DIGESTION

Slow and sluggish digestion, leading to a tendency to gain weight and store energy efficiently.

Hair

Thick and shiny hair.

Temperament

Emotionally steady, patient, and supportive. However, when out of balance, they may hold on to things, jobs, or relationships long after they are no longer nourishing or necessary.

Body

Heavy, slow, steady, with a solid and strong build.

Routine

Kapha personalities are comfortable with routines and find balance in sticking to consistent patterns in their daily lives.

Skin

Smooth, radiant, and oily skin.

Stress Response

When faced with stress, the typical Kapha response is to resist dealing with it and avoid confronting challenges.

through embracing ayurvedic insights, we pave the path to improved physical, mental, and emotional health, harmoniously aligned with the rhythms of nature and our inner selves.

nourish your kapha dosha

Ayurveda emphasizes the vital role of diet in achieving doshic balance. Specific foods can either aggravate or pacify each dosha's distinct qualities within us.

By embracing dosha-specific dietary guidelines, individuals can experience improved digestion, increased energy levels, strengthened immunity, and an enriched sense of well-being.

Discover below the foods Ayurveda suggests to nurture and support your Kapha dosha. These foods work in harmony with Kapha's attributes, promoting overall health and balance.

FRUITS

Apples, Apricots, Berries, Cherries, Cranberries, Figs (dry), Grapes (dark), Lemons, Limes, Mango, Peaches, Pears, Pomegranates, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries

VEGETABLES

Artichoke, Asparagus, Aubergine, Beet Greens, Beets, Bell Peppers, Bitter Melon, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilies, Kale, Leafy Greens, Okra, Green Beans

SPICES

Ajwain, Allspice, Anise, Basil, Bay Leaf, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander (seeds or powder), Cumin (seeds or powder), Nutmeg, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley

lifestyle remedies

Ayurveda's quest for doshic balance goes beyond diet. Just as specific foods can influence doshas, adopting dosha-specific lifestyle remedies creates profound transformation.

Dinacharya (routine) holds crucial importance in Ayurveda. Begin with simplicity, and as it feels natural, expand your routine.

When you start to recognise when your body is out of balance, you will know what foods and lifestyle habits to incorporate back into your routine to soothe your Kapha.

Discover below empowering lifestyle remedies to pacify Kapha and restore balance.

EVENING ROUTINE

A kapha-calming daily routine is a game-changer for balance. Evening habits are vital as they impact the next day. Being intentional about your evening rhythm ensures dedicated self-care, better sleep, and avoids oversleeping.

Aim for 7-8 hours of regular sleep, avoiding excess to prevent imbalances. Rise before 6 a.m. to combat Kapha's heaviness.

PRANAYAMA (BREATHWORK)

Breathwork plays a crucial role in harmonising Kapha dosha by invigorating and warming the body. The following Pranayama benefits Kapha:

Bhastrika (Bellows Breath): Stimulates and warms excess Kapha, clearing stagnation and invigorating the system.

Solar or Right Nostril Breathing: Emphasises energy and warmth, reducing Kapha's heaviness and lethargy.

Invigorating Morning Asanas: Dynamic yoga poses to stimulate circulation, build heat, and release accumulated Kapha energy.

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

Certain herbs are beneficial for Kapha dosha, such as:

ABHYANGA (MASSAGE)

Through vigorous massage, Abhyanga stimulates circulation and lymphatic movement.

This increased flow brings fresh energy to the body and mind, effectively reducing stagnation and lethargy associated with Kapha imbalances.

Opt for pure & organic oils such as Sesame Oil, Sweet Almond Oil and Jojoba Oil for the massage. .

EXERCISE

The qualities of exercise are extremely balancing for Kapha, so any exercise will be beneficial. However, modifying your approach to exercise in a few simple ways can lead to a far more efficient return to balance.

While Kapha responds best to vigorous and challenging workouts, it's also important to prioritise making them motivating and inspiring.