Kapha

arises from the Earth and Water elements, governing the structure of the body and forms our bones, muscles, and cells. Kapha qualities (gunas) are oily, cold, heavy, stable, smooth, and soft. Kapha is the most stable of the doshas, expressed in nature as the solid structures of rocks and mountains. People with high levels of Kapha have round features, thick hair, moisture skin, and a balanced appetite.Kapha’s water element helps to keep the body, tissues, and skin lubricated and moist.

QUALITIES oily, cold, heavy, stable, smooth, soft, moist. Kapha represents structure and governs all cohesion, liquidation, growth, body stability and strength.

SEASON winter

TIME OF DAY 6am-10am | 6pm-10pm

PHYSICAL broad to medium heavy frame with short, thick hair, big eyes, squarish fingers and toes. Kaphas have a well-developed musculature with broad shoulders and thick legs and arms. Tendency to gain weight easily and lose slowly and with difficulty. Due to their cold nature, kapha individuals enjoy the warmth of the sun, are prone to burning when overexposed. Kaphas skin is slightly oily, soft, smooth, and thick. Kaphas tend to have thick, coarse, and slightly wavy hair.

STORED IN BODY Kapha holds the body together providing it with shape, form, and cohesion and forms our bones, muscles, and cells. Stored in the brain, joints, mouth, head and neck, stomach (its primary site), lymph, thorax including the lungs, heart, esophagus, and fat.

IMBALANCE the heavy and slow qualities of kapha can create inflammation, lethargy, sluggishness, constipation, fluid retention, weight gain, asthma, and allergies. Prone to depression, attachment, emotional eating, spending or self-indulgent. Aggravated by: sweet, sour, salty, or heavy foods, lack of exercise, overeating, damp and cold climates. Excess: coldness, heaviness, congestion, stagnation, obesity, excessive sleep or desire to sleep, greed, apathy, depression, attachment. Deficient: dryness, anxiety, dizzy, emaciation, and cracking joints.

BALANCE stable, patient, calm, kind, loyal, fall asleep quickly, sleep heavily, and awake rested. They possess an earthy, grounded wisdom and tend to be slow, diligent, and reflective in their speech. To support healthy kapha, lifestyle patterns that are active and aim to energize, move, and stimulate the body, (cardio, running, sweating), along with spending time in the warmth of the sun.