Are you suffering from excessive fatigue, yawning throughout the day, feeling unusually heavy around the abdomen, suddenly dealing with a sinus problem or have gained weight even without trying? If your current lifestyle indicates such manifestations, then, my friend, you are a Kapha-dominant person; these physical attributes are nothing unnatural but an imbalance of the Kapha Doshas!

Also Read: Introduction To Ayurveda: Learn About Vata, Pitta And Kapha Doshas

Wondering, What is Kapha Dosha?

Our physical body is made up of three doshas, or humour— Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of us has a unique combination of one or two of these Doshas in different quantities. Kapha dosha can be described as a combination of the elements of earth (Prithvi) and water (Jal) and characterizes structure, stability, and cohesiveness. The main seat of Kapha humour in the body is in the chest, lungs, stomach and sinuses and their physical qualities are heavy, slow/dull, smooth, dense, soft, static, cold, oily, liquid, sticky, cloudy, and gross (the opposite of subtle). 

Also Read: Kapha Dosha: Effective Dietary Modifications To Balance And Improve Stamina

Kapha dominant people are usually built strong, have a larger body frame, light, oily skin, big eyes and great strength and endurance. According to the principles of Ayurveda, an excess accumulation of Kapha can lead to sluggishness, water retention, weight gain, possessiveness, and feelings of stress and depression. 

Kapha Dosha is usually seen during the springtime, which means it’s during this season when the Kapha attributes are likely to fall out of balance and lead to indications like body heaviness, fatigue and lethargy, lack of hunger, excessive sleep, poor digestion, constipation, nausea, cough and cold, and excessive secretion of saliva and mucus.

With the spring season knocking at the door, it's time to counter this inertia by implementing lifestyle practices, dietary choices, and therapeutic techniques that counteract its heavy, sluggish qualities. Here are some key strategies:

Stay Active: Engage in regular exercise that promotes warmth and circulation, such as brisk walking, jogging, or yoga.

Follow a Kapha-Pacifying Diet: Favor light, dry, and warming foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and spices. Minimize heavy, oily, and sweet foods.

Establish Self-Care Rituals: Incorporate daily practices like dry brushing, oil massage (abhyanga), and nasal cleansing (neti) to stimulate the senses and detoxify the body.

Use Herbal Remedies: Incorporate Ayurvedic herbs like ginger, black pepper, Trikatu, Triphala, and Guggulu to balance Kapha dosha.

Cultivate Emotional Well-being: Practice meditation, mindfulness, and pranayama to nurture a positive mindset and reduce emotional heaviness.

And what better way to increase physical activity and energy than by the timeless practice of Yoga?

How Does Yoga Help In Kapha Imbalance?

Yoga helps not only physically but also mentally in augmenting one's routine life to balance one's energy and constitution. The kapha balancing yoga poses are usually warm, light and energizing in a bid to overcome the states of listlessness, dullness and lethargy and get the energy back and flowing into the body again.

Without further ado, we bring you 5 energizing yoga postures to improve stamina and endurance and balance the irregular Kapha humor.

Yogasanas To Balance Kapha Doshas

Trikonasana (Triangle pose)

Stand perpendicular with your legs apart and hands on either side. Inhale and raise your left hand straight above your head, parallel to the right ear. Exhale and bend your torso at the waist, to your right side. At the same time, slide your right arm down along your right leg till your fingers are at your ankle. Be in this posture with elbows and knees straight for 30 seconds or as long as you can and come back to the standing position. Do the same thing on the right side as well.

Benefits:

The lateral flexion in the Triangle Pose is extremely beneficial for improving physical equilibrium while alleviating indigestion, respiratory troubles, anxiety, and sluggishness. It plays a key role in opening the lungs and chest and stretching and strengthening the spine, arms, legs, back, and core.

Vrikshasana (Tree pose)

Stand straight on the floor with your legs joined. Fold both arms in front of your chest and join the palms in a prayer position. Now, stretch both your arms upwards above your shoulder. Bend your right knee and bring your right foot to the left thigh's anterior side. Balance your entire body weight on your left leg and hold this stance as long as you can. Relax for about a minute and repeat it on the other side with the left foot. Perform this asana in a set of 5 while taking a minute break in between.

Benefits:

The Tree Pose has numerous advantages. By standing on one foot, and balancing the other, the Earth element is brought to equilibrium. It also fortifies the spinal column and promotes both flexibility and poise. Additionally, it opens the heart and enhances blood circulation throughout the body besides making one feel confident and happy. 

Dhanurasana (Bow pose)

Lie flat on your tummy and raise both legs and torso backwards. Breathe out while you bend your knees and bring your heels close to your buttocks. Now, stretch your hands backwards and firmly grip the ankles. Next, inhale and try to lift the heels away from the buttocks as much as possible, keeping a hold of your ankles. At the same time, raise your head, chest, and thighs from the mat. Be in this stance for 20-30 seconds or as long as you can. Return to the starting position, take a minute break and repeat the asana 5-6 times.

Benefits:

The backward bend during the bow pose helps in massaging the abdominal organs and stimulates agni, our internal digestive fire that facilitates digestion. It also provides absolute relief from back problems, opens the chest, neck and shoulders, and even diminishes stress.

Virabhadrasana (Warrior pose)

Stand straight with your foot kept 3 feet apart. Extend your right foot out by 90 degrees and your left foot back by about 15 degrees. Turn your body towards the right and lift both arms sideways to shoulder height. While breathing out, make a gentle effort to push your pelvis down. And while breathing in, come up. Next, breathe out, and pull back your hands down from the sides. Repeat this asana 5 times. 

Benefits:

This pose is a perfect heat-generating pose to burn the accumulated Kapha. It strengthens the thighs, fortifies the lower limb musculature and improves the balance of the body.

Shavasana (Corpse Pose)

Lie down straight on your back, with your eyes closed. Just allow your body to cool, relax your mind and ponder on happy peaceful thoughts. Breathe normally while you are lying in this posture. After 5 minutes, stand up and get going. 

Benefit:

This yogasana is a must to help mitigate stress by activating the relaxation response (parasympathetic nervous system) and deactivating the stress response (sympathetic nervous system). It also marks the end of the yoga session, relieves muscular tension, cools down the body, and calms the mind, while boosting overall mental well-being.

Conclusion:

Incorporating these spectacular yoga poses into your daily routine can help restore balance to Kapha dosha and rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. Practice with mindfulness and intention, focusing on cultivating warmth, energy, and vitality within. By embracing the transformative power of yoga, you can overcome Kapha imbalance and experience a renewed sense of well-being and harmony in your life.

References:
1. Characteristics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Case Report Investigating the Role of Kapha and Pitta Doshas
Ritesh Jadhav 1, Akash More 2, Shirish Vaidya 3, Namrata Choudhary 2, Shilpa Dutta 2, Krushnali S Kadu 2, Gauri Gajabe 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38500914/#:~:text=Clinical%20findings%20emphasized%20the%20role,gain%2C%20and%20increased%20mucus%20production.