Know Your Dosha Type: Living like a Kapha

Ayurveda believes our bodies are governed by three doshas or energies that define your physical, mental & emotional characteristics. Know Your Dosha: Take Kama Ayurveda’s dosha quiz now

Maintaining a lifestyle that aligns with your dosha is the key to balancing energy and enhancing your natural glow. Are you a dominant Kapha dosha? Discover fitness, movement and dietary recommendations to start living a life more aligned with your Ayurvedic characteristics. Working with your dosha, rather than against it, is the first and the most important step on the journey to finding your inside out glow.

Meditation for Kapha

We all know how incredible meditation is for our mental wellbeing, yet getting started can be a struggle. In this case, making a conscious decision to work with your dosha – rather than against it, as many of us naturally do – will make forming a meditation habit easy.

Adopt habit-forming techniques.

As a Kapha, willpower can be your sticking point. To overcome this obstacle, try attaching your meditation to an existing habit, like taking it at the end of an exercise session or making it part of your coffee break.

Use sensory awareness. 

Kapha is associated with the senses of touch and scent, so using sensory awareness can make meditation more appealing. Enjoy the physical sensations aroused by Vipasana meditation, incorporate your favourite essential oils, or make lighting incense a part of your ritual.

Movement for Kapha

It can take some time and effort for Kaphas to get into their groove with movement, but getting – and staying – active is key for preventing the sluggishness you’re prone to feeling. Try forms of exercise that work naturally with your Kapha power and strength, guided by your gift for endurance.

Add weight training or boxing to your fitness regime. 

You can build muscle easily and have the capacity for heavy lifting. Having a personal trainer on the side could aid your motivation and consistency if you really want to thrive in this area.

Try your hands at athletics and team sports. 

You enjoy the community feel of being part of a tribe. Your power and endurance will shine in a power position within a rugby, hockey or volleyball team.

Swim regularly. 

The longer the lengths, the better for Kapha.

Cycling. 

Particularly cross-country, mountain biking or other related sports, like skiing.

Opt for a yoga flow or power yoga. 

To perk up your energy in times of need, up the intensity of your yoga practice with a flow class or move through some Sun Salutations.

HIIT or aerobics will suit you 

Instead of going to the gym, join a class for the sociable, fun and mood-lifting element.

Start Running. 

If you haven’t already, start building a running habit for a fast and instant burst of energy whenever you need it.

Eating like a Kapha

The Kapha diet aims to fire up Agni (our digestive fire), boost the metabolism, and prevent you from putting on excess weight. When making dietary choices, there are three key things to keep in mind for nurturing Kaphas’ digestive harmony and leading your healthiest lifestyle yet.

Opt for a hot, warm, light and dry diet. 

Ideally avoid heavy, cold and fatty foods as much as possible, as they can give rise to sluggishness. Instead think spicy, lightly cooked meals, which will help fire up your Agni (digestive fire).

Consume the largest meal at lunchtime. 

Aim for two or three well-balanced meals per day, your largest being lunch. Avoid snacking and favour a light, low-carb dinner, like a bowl of soup.

Help from herbs and spices. 

Packed with antioxidants, the free and generous use of herbs and spices in your food will help aid digestion. The sharp flavours of ginger, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, clove, cardamom and cinnamon can be particular favourites of Kapha.

Skincare & Haircare For Kapha Dosha

Those with Kapha dosha heavy constituents associated with earth and water can often encounter oily skin & hair.

While Kama Ayurveda’s products are tri doshic, we recommend:

Eladi Hydrating Light Cream, a lightweight face cream suitable for oily & combination skin. 

Adding a sulphate and paraben free cleanser like Bringadi Hair Cleanser helps detox hair from root to tip without overdrying your hair.

Kama Ayurveda’s Kokum Almond Body Moisturiser can help lock in moisture without any oily residue.

Related articles:

• https://www.kamaayurveda.com/uk/en_GB/the-yoga-class-pitta-flow
• https://www.kamaayurveda.com/uk/en_GB/the-yoga-class-kapha-flow
• https://www.kamaayurveda.com/uk/en_GB/the-yoga-class-vata-flow