Kapha Season is a Time to Rejuvenate and Renew
While we typically think of the seasons as spring, summer, fall, and winter, Ayurveda divides the year according to the most prevalent dosha during each period. In the Northern hemisphere, Kapha season lasts from the second half of winter through spring, Pitta season is from late spring to early fall and Vata season begins late fall to late winter. No matter what your dosha type is, you will be influenced by Kapha’s prevailing influence at this time of year.
It’s especially important to balance Kapha in the spring, because Kapha accumulates during winter and can create diseases by the time spring arrives. As the world becomes colder and wetter in winter, your body mirrors these Kapha-like changes. You tend to eat, sleep, and stay inside more during winter, which can result in a “winter coat” of insulation. In spring, you need to shed this excess Kapha or risk becoming vulnerable to seasonal allergies or head colds. You might also gain or retain weight or succumb to a general lethargy or emotional dullness.
CHARACTERISTICS OF KAPHA
Kapha is heavy, cold, dull, oily, smooth, dense, soft, static, liquid, cloudy, hard, and gross (in the sense of dense or thick). As Kapha governs stability and structure, it forms the substance of the human body, from the skeleton to various organs to the fatty molecules (lipids) that support the body. The earthy-watery qualities of Kapha provides lubrication for joints, as well as mucus to protect the sensitive tissues of the sinuses, lungs, and stomach; it also determines the size, strength, and suppleness of your muscles.
The influence of the earth and water elements makes Kapha types innately stable, compassionate, and loyal. A Kapha person appreciate doing things in a methodical, step-by-step manner, and prefer a regular routine in their personal and professional lives. When imbalanced they can become unmotivated, stubborn, and complacent even when change is necessary. Their metabolism tends to be slow and their appetite for both food and stimulation is less intense than Vata or Pitta types. They benefit from exposing themselves to new environments, people, and occasionally fasting.
YOGA FOR KAPHA SEASON
Practice yoga in the early morning hours of Kapha (6–10am) to help keep you more energized and motivated throughout the day. The best asanas for Kapha are invigorating standing poses, backbends and twists to open up the chest and circulate prana throughout the body. Try maintaining your asanas for up to 20 breaths and move through your flow sequences quickly (though always with conscious awareness) to lighten and warm your body. Stimulating and heat-building asanas are excellent for the prevention and treatment of congestive conditions like bronchitis and pneumonia as well as constrictive conditions such as asthma and emphysema.
One should come away feeling; warm, invigorated, light, energized circulation, lungs and chest open, mind and senses should be sharp and clear, emotional heaviness released and forgotten...feeling rejuvenated for meditation.
