Balancing Kapha dosha: Lifestyle
Ayurvedic texts recommend the principle
of opposites for reducing the level of a dosha that has become
aggravated. Since the characteristics of Kapha include heaviness,
softness, sweetness, cold, stability and unctuousness, qualities
that are opposite to these in diet and lifestyle help restore
balance to Kapha dosha.
Lifestyle recommendations
1.
The primary lifestyle recommendation for balancing Kapha is to
get moving. Physically, get some exercise every single day. Mentally,
challenge yourself with new activities—learn a new skill,
solve some puzzles or take a class. Emotionally, welcome new relationships
in your life by making it a point to meet people—volunteering
comes naturally to the caring Kapha nature and can provide a forum
for building nurturing new bonds.
2.
Do not skip meals, and do not fast. The Kapha digestive agni tends
to be low, as does appetite, and not eating on time slows down
the metabolism even more. Start your day with a light breakfast.
Eat a sustaining meal at lunch, and a lighter meal for dinner.
The Amalaki Rasayana helps
enhance digestion and revs up the metabolism.
3.
Daily elimination is very important to prevent ama from accumulating
in the body. Triphala Rasayana
helps promote regularity as well as toning the digestive system.
Since Triphala is gentle, not habit forming and not depleting,
it can be taken indefinitely to maintain regularity.
4.
Deep-cleanse oily skin twice a day with a natural cleanser to
rid the skin of surface impurities and grime. Once a week, exfoliate
your skin with a cleansing scrub. Shampoo your hair every other
day at least with a gentle natural shampoo. The ayurvedic oil
massage, performed each morning before your shower or bath can
help dislodge embedded toxins and increase natural energy levels.
5. Protect yourself from the damp and cold. Drink lots of warm
water, infused with warming spices such as turmeric, dried ginger
and black pepper. At-home steam therapy can help open clogged
channels.
6.
Vigorous activities are ideal exercise for Kapha-dominant people.
Exercise everyday for best results, but without overstraining.
Racquetball, singles tennis, jogging and aerobics are good activity
choices for balancing Kapha. Exercise in the morning if you can
to get a good charge for the day ahead.
7.
If Kapha dosha is out of balance, you’ll tend to feel tired
even after a solid ten hours of uninterrupted sleep. Go to bed
early and wake up really early in the morning, definitely before
sunrise, to improve the quality of your rest. Do not indulge in
daytime snoozes.
8.
Add zest to your life by consciously incorporating variety and
new experiences into your life. Travel, meeting new people and
trying new hobbies are ways to embrace change.
9.
Set aside about 30 minutes each day for meditation, to help balance
the heart, mind and emotions and to enhance body-mind-spirit coordination.
