In the ancient Eastern practice of
Ayurveda, people are defined by their unique blend of the three
doshas - vata, pitta and kapha. This personal make-up is known as your
constitution or
prakriti.
It's believed that in order to achieve an
optimal state of
well-being and
happiness, your individual mind-body type must be embraced and balanced.
Today we will look at the final dosha,
kapha.

courtesy of Wikipedia
Kapha is comprised of
earth and
water, and as a result, is wet, heavy, solid, cold and slow. Kapha is responsible for the
storage of energy and
moisture in the body.
Kapha types, when
balanced, are strong and loyal, but when
imbalanced, can become lazy and possessive.

courtesy of Flickr
Characteristics of kapha types include:
may be overweight and/or struggle to lose weight
deep sleeper with a stable food and sexual appetite
may suffer from diabetes, high cholesterol and/or heart problems
likes warm, dry, mild climates
enjoy mornings and nighttime

courtesy of Wikimedia
To
balance kapha, surround yourself with, and increase exposure to, that which is
light, dry and energetic. Wear
comfy, cooling clothes.
Indulge in
beans, barley, quinoa and rye, and include
all spices wherever possible.
'Lighter' fruit and veg are best for you, so emphasise apples, pears, green leaves, celery and brassicas.
Hot drinks and
herbal teas are also good for you.

courtesy of Public Domain Pictures
Reduce consumption of foods or drinks that are
cold or heavy, and anything that is
sweet or salty. Highly
processed foods, most
dairy products,
oils and
sugars should also be avoided.
Eat only when
hungry and in a calm and
relaxed environment. Minimise
overeating - especially in the
evening as your digestion can be sluggish.
Fasts may prove beneficial for kapha, but consult a
qualified health practitioner before starting.

courtesy of Wikipedia
Jogging, trampolining, skipping and other high metabolic activities are the best exercise for kapha. It is particularly good for you to get your heart racing and build up a
sweat.
Can you
identify with elements of kapha? Would you like to know
more? Let us know in the comments section.
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