Ayurvedic – Kapha (Understanding and application)

Before I attended the YTTC, I had already done some dosha quizes before. I didn’t take the results too seriously at that point of time because I lacked deeper understanding of Ayurvedic and did not apply the knowledge to improve myself. Since then, I had forgotten about my previous results.

Based on the recent dosha quiz outcome that I did at YTTC again, I noted that I am dominated by Kapha (water-earth). Understanding my body type well finally helped me understand why physically, I have a pear-shaped body, big eyes, and frequently have sinus-related issues as a child. I also understand why I prefer routines, warm food/drinks over cold food/drinks, and that I have natural aversion towards sweet food. My ideal vacations tend to be at somewhere warm and sunny because I do not like cold climates.

Dietary recommendations:

Kapha is associated with being slow, cold, sweet, heavy and oily. Therefore, as ‘like’ attracts ‘like’, having food that have such qualities will create excessive Kapha within the body, causing the body to feel slow and heavy. Overeating is therefore strongly discouraged to reduce heaviness in the body. Lighter dinner or occasional fast is also recommended.

Recommend to increase intake: Recommend to reduce intake:

-Well-spiced cooking

-Leafy vegetables (instead of starch vegetables)

-Warm food/beverage

-Pungent, bitter and astringent taste

-Deep-fried cooking (choose light cooking with minimal oil)

-Dairy products

-Cold food/beverage

-Sweet, salty and sour taste

 

Recommended lifestyle changes: 

Excessive Kapha may cause lethargic and heaviness in the body. People with Kapha dosha may also have tendencies to become stagnant in situations and might end up not wanting to deal with them.

Sleep recommendations: Activities: Others:

-Wake up early and sleep early without naps in-between (preferably before 6am)

-Avoid oversleeping

-Exercise regularly

-Do diverse activities and changing them up regularly

-Avoid staying inactive for prolonged time

-Avoid cold temperature

-Do more warming pranayamas (such as Bhastrika and Kapalabhati)

 

 

With these information and after learning pranayama, I should learn to adopt them  and be diligent in keeping the routine to improve my health. I followed Master Paalu’s recommended morning routine and noted that on mornings when I skipped the practice, I felt so sluggish that I ended up lying on the bed and falling asleep again. Having more energy means I can get more done and have a more productive day.

I guess I have to stay resolved and have a disciplined lifestyle.  And maybe, I should be conscious and not be a couch potato eating ice-cream in an air-conditioned room too. 

For more information:

https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/ayurvedic-living/living-ayurveda/diet/kapha-pacifying-diet/

The ayurvedic experience blog (Kapha diet: everything you need to know)

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-25655/how-ayurveda-turned-me-into-a-total-morning-person-when-nothing-else-could.html

 

Chang Rui Fen

March 2018 (Weekend class)

16 April 2018