Balancing Guide: Kapha Season
As we move out of the late winter into the spring we notice a shift from drawing inward by the heaviness and darkness of the colder months into the new beginnings and rebirth aided by the increase of the sun light. In Ayurveda, the time of late winter and spring belong to the Kapha Season. Kapha dosha is the most stable one and provides structure to things. Its qualities are moist, cold, heavy, static and liquid. We can observe all of these qualities in the surrounding nature through this time of the year. I often find myself feeling lethargic around this time. Here are some of the ways to dispel the heaviness in your body and mind and prepare yourself for a spring awakening.
- wake up before the sunrise
- a more rigorous daily yoga asana including surya namaskar (salutations to the sun), back bends, spinal twists, and hip openers
- bhastrika and kapalabbhati pranayama
- daily massages with warm sesame oil
- take hot showers or baths with 1/4 cup of baking soda, 1/2 cup of Epsom salt and ten drops of essential oil such as angelical, cardamom, cinnamon, clove or eucalyptus
- eat light, dry and warm foods
- use of spices is a great way to add some heat to your meals
- reduce the intake of sweet, salty and sour tastes as they are kapha aggravating
- cooked dark leafy greens such as arugula, chard, mustard greens, dandelion and kale
- basmati or jasmine rice, quinoa, millet and barley are great light whole grains
As always listen to your body. Be kind and loving to it through every step of the way.
