When Kapha goes out of balance problems manifest physically through: mucus, congestion, oily skin, water retention, diabetes, fat, and ailments of the respiratory system. When out of balance emotionally, they struggle with: depression, laziness or lethargy, possessiveness, greed, and jealousy. If thrown way off center, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart attacks become issues to deal with. Remaining balanced requires a lighter diet, especially of pungent and astringent tastes.
Kapha indolence makes it difficult for them to get started, especially in early mornings. Caffeine helps stimulate and give verve. They love taking naps, and not exercising. Extra sleep, especially napping, increases their imbalance, as does eating heavy, sweet foods. To keep moving, something they are not particularly interested in, vary the exercise routine, find interesting teachers, especially in the winter and early spring when it is colder, wetter and heavy which unbalances the already moist constitution.
When Kapha are emotionally unbalanced, they can suffer from possessiveness, lust, greed, attachment, envy, lust and depression. The full moon can throw these issues up even higher as the moon, affecting water retention in the body, creates more emotional discharge. Kapha women may suffer more from PMS because of water retention.
If you see that you are affected by some of this, know you are more sensitive and therefore thrown more out of balance with these issues. Having this knowledge, you can anticipate and prevent going overboard. You become more responsible for your wellness.
Emotion is the equivalent of water Astrologically and Ayurvedically. ‘Discrimination acts as the mind’s digestion,’ which decides if a particular action is correct in that moment. Disturbances, or imbalances, within the three doshas are called “crimes against wisdom.” We know we shouldn’t do it, but do it anyway, which further weakens the ability to discriminate correctly, Eating and drinking correctly not only affect physical digestion, but the entire system.
*Dr. Robert Svoboda “Prakruti, Your Ayurvedic Constitution.”
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I am so interested in reading the ayurvedic information on the website. I was recently told that during this time of kapha energy, it is important to sweat from within in order to create balance. Otherwise, you will become stuck and will have more colds and joint pain when the weather gets cold. This sounds like what you are saying in terms of manifesting with mucus. What poses do you suggest to facilitate this energy moving though?
Susan, glad you’re interested in incorperating the Ayurvedic into your life. I have not heard about the sweating from within in order to create Kapha balance, and release toxins, especially mucus. It makes sense as Kapha energy tends to get stuck and have a harder time moving, and the heat will help release some of that stuckness as well as loosen chest and nasal phlem which is a Kapha Dosha (imbalance.)
Right nostril breathing, ie holding left nostril shut, inhaling thru righ, then holding right shut, exhaling thru left, helps Kapha Dosha with this issue. Poses for Kapha Dosha and sinus congestion include all the chest openers: Fish, Boat, Plough, Bow, Tiger, Fish, back bends, Locust.
hope this is helpful, and thanks for bringing the heating issue to my knowledge! Samantha