Having a Kapha predominant Constitution (prakriti) means that all the following qualities can express themselves generously throughout your mental, emotional, and physical make up.
Someone with Kapha Dosha (predominant Constitution) can have for example slow reaction and a cloudy mind. sweet, sour, and/or salty.
AND because Ayurveda is built around the basic idea of like increases like Kapha will increase in your body, mind, and spirit by increasing the qualities above. So:
Cold weather, heavy foods or wet seasons tend to increase Kapha.
| BUT Kapha in excess can be unhealthy and lead to the following |
Signs or symptoms
| on a psychological level |
|---|
- mental sluggishness,
- slowness
- Weak drive
- Melancholy
| on a physical level |
|---|
- Feeling of heaviness
- Obesity
- Water accumulation
- Excessive mucus formation
- Susceptibility to colds
- Allergies
HOW TO BALANCE (VIKRIT) – Kapha
| When healthy Kapha governs our capacity we experience |
|---|
- nourishment
- growth
- stamina
As mentioned before Ayurveda is built around the basic idea that like increases like and opposites balance.
-> So you balance a dosha by using the opposite.
| Qualities opposite to Kapha are those |
|---|
- warm
- dry
- light
- active
Everything can be used to restore healthy balance because everything that exists has a quality. This includes but is not limited to: foods, colors, smells, and lifestyles.
Lifestyle
- Stimulating your body and mind on a daily basis with a routine.
- Keeping your body warm and dry, no matter what the weather.
- Trying new things, taking risks, and being spotaneous.
- Lively and invigorating music, experiences, and company.
Yoga
Kapha-pacifying yoga to warm your body, uplift your spirits.
Clothing, colors, smells & jewellery
- Clothing with stimulating colors and breathable materials.
- jewellery fiery red ruby, red coral or garnet and as metal as possible pure gold.
Food
To favor because it decrease Kapha
- Foods that are pungent, bitter, or astringent in taste.
- Warm foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Whole, freshly cooked foods.
- Light, dry, and warm foods.
- Only room temperature or warm drinks and herbal teas.
- Lots of veggies. Favor warm cooked veggies as much as possible.
- Enjoy coffee and caffeine only in moderation.
more details about Food for Kapha
To avoid because it increase Kapha
- Foods that are sweet, sour, and/or salty.
- Cooling foods, both energetically and in temperature.
- Heavy and oily foods, such as cheese, French fries, nuts, or pastries.
- Highly processed foods (e.g. canned or frozen foods, “TV” dinners or pastries).
- Cold, iced, or carbonated drinks.
- Overeating or eating heavy meals.
- Eating fresh fruit or drinking fruit juice within 1/2 hour of any other food.
- Excessive red meat.
- Foods or drinks that contain refined sugar or corn syrup.
- Deep fried foods.
- Alcohol, except for an occasional glass of dry red or white wine.
General rules of Food Combining
In Ayurveda, digestion is the key to good health, as weak digestion can lead to the accumulation of ama (toxins) and imbalances in the doshas. That’s why it is especially important to follow the general eating rules. This includes eating in a calm environment, chewing food thoroughly, choosing warm and freshly prepared meals, and avoiding incompatible food combinations. Ayurveda also recommends eating in alignment with the body’s natural rhythm—the main meal should be at midday when the digestive fire (agni) is at its strongest. These principles support better nutrient absorption, increased energy, and long-term balance in both body and mind.
