How to Balance Kapha Dosha in Springtime

“He whose doshas are in balance, whose appetite is good…and whose Self, mind, and senses remain full of bliss, is called a healthy person.” Ancient Ayurvedic text, Sushrita Samhita

Yoga for Good - Balance Kapha Dosha Springtime

Springtime is known as the continuation of kapha season in Ayurveda. The Kapha season starts around mid-winter and ends at the end of spring. Kapha is made up of earth and water. The miraculous return of new life and growth that we see at spring following the stagnation of winter is created by increases in the water element.

When applying the wisdom of Ayurveda, we begin with the doshas, which not only refer to body types and temperaments, but also to many aspects of life including the seasons. There are three doshas —Vata, Pitta, and Kapha — that ideally lie in a state of harmonious balance.

There is a risk as we transition into any season that the predominant dosha for that season becomes out of balance. In late winter and spring, there is a risk that kapha can increase.

If we allow kapha to become out of balance, then we will start to see signs of excess.

What are the signs of an increased kapha?

Here are the symptoms to look out for:

A wet cough
Cold hands and feet and poor circulation
High level of mucus and phlegm production
Sluggish digestion
Slow bowels
An excessive desire to sleep

How to balance kapha in spring?

In order to balance kapha, we need to balance kapha’s heavy, dense qualities by increasing movement and stimulating the system to push through sticky congestion and accumulated damp.

Kapha will benefit from more stimulating exercise that gets the blood flowing.

To maintain balance or counter the stagnation of winter, take advantage of early morning light and springtime blossoms by taking a lively nature walk or doing a more dynamic yoga practice such as this one.

We want to stimulate the lymphatic system and get the heart rates elevated to generate heat and burn off excessive moisture. Looking also to Chinese medicine and yin yoga, it would be of benefit to incorporate stronger posses such as Warrior 1, Warrior 2, Warrior 3, and goddess pose which stimulate the inner and outer legs – these are associated with the liver and gallbladder meridians that can aid detoxification.

You could even start a new project or routine to channel the new life and growth associated with the season.

The kapha diet in spring

The Chopra Center suggests that if you’re feeling a bit imbalanced when transitioning through spring, no matter what your dosha, eat more foods that help calm the heavy, cold, and oily Kapha qualities — steamed vegetables (not raw), greens (especially cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage), broth, brown rice, and a variety of astringent and bitter legumes. Decrease or eliminate foods that are sweet, sour, salty, heavy, cold, and oily, including fried foods and cold or frozen dairy, such as ice cream.

Increased kapha can make you crave processed sugary snacks, try to swap these out for warm fruit treats such as stewed apples. This diet is most beneficial towards the end of winter and in the very early stages of spring:

Eat only when hungry, allow the body plenty of time to properly digest food
Emphasise foods that are light, dry or warming to stimulate movement and heat
Favour foods that are spicy, bitter or astringent to power through sticky congestion
Reduce foods that are heavy, oily, cold, sweet, salty and sour. These are considered energetically ‘cooling’ for the body
Avoid stimulants, dairy and highly fatty or processed foods.

Springtime herbal heroes

Herbs that help to reduce kapha include those that are considered slightly more stimulating and heating. Some examples are:

Ginger– Warms the circulation and reinvigorates the mind
Ginseng– Highly energising, reducing tiredness and fatigue
Cinnamon– Warms the digestion
Turmeric – Boosts circulation
Green Tea– Boosts cognitive processes such as memory and concentration
Tulsi tea – Tusli is of great benefit to the respiratory system with the potential to liquefy phlegm due to its hot and sharp attributes

It can be as simple as buying your favourite tea brand consisting of these herbs or adding them to your meal.

The Chopra Centre have three springtime ayurvedic recipes that are intended to help pacify Kapha during the spring months – try one and let us know how it goes.

For more insights into Ayurveda as well as a library of our community classes, make sure you stay up to date with the Yoga For Good Foundation blog.

Also, if you’re a yoga teacher who would like to expand your audience (and get a one-off paid gig) you register to teach a Yoga For Good community class. We’d love you to share your teachings with our community.

Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Join Sandra from Be You Yoga for this Spring Yoga Class, designed to de-stress and reset your digestion, metabolism, immunity, and overall health. Spring is the best therapeutic season for a natural and holistic cleanse.

We will begin by gently warming up your joints and proceed with a pranayama designed to calm your system. This will be followed by gentle movements that promote mobility and fluidity in your body, instilling a sense of nurturing and self-love throughout the practice. We will conclude with deep relaxation and a short meditation to integrate your practice on multiple levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Sandra is a master of spirituality and blends the practices of yoga in an adventure of self-discovery. She has a series of books on Be You Yoga that deepen the understanding of yourself to cultivate a heightened sense of self-love, with easy-to-follow yoga guide with meditation exercises and inspired quotes.

Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class

Join Suze from 42 Yoga for a transformative yoga class focused on balancing the sacral chakra, the centre of creativity and passion. She believes yoga is the key to body, mind wellness and healing. After practicing for many years and teacher training in Bali and India, she is using these skills with children’s and trauma-informed yoga.

Her new book, a yoga-for-kids adventure called Ursula the Roly Poly Unicorn, helps children develop strong self-esteem, through story and yoga as a positive and empowering tool.

In this class with gentle flows, breathwork and mindful practices, we will cultivate energy, release blockages, and ignite the creative spirit, as well as explore the profound connection between body, mind, and creative expression.

Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Meeting ID: 859 1833 4994
Passcode: 171949

Join Reetu for an immersive meditation session into the depths of our energy centres. Nourish the systems of your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, ready for the year ahead. Be guided by her inspiring voice to relax into meditation and reconnect with and balance the subtle energies within.

Reetu Verma has 25 years of experience as an academic, teacher and coach, providing support, help and guidance to thousands of people from all walks of life from all over the globe.

During a traumatic near-death experience, she experienced pure light and pure love and embarked on a transformational, personal healing journey. Inspired and totally committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others, helping them on their healing journey to live a healthier, happier life.

She founded Healing, Health and Happiness to expanded her teachings of personal development, into finding life purpose and spiritual growth. Reetu has developed a systematic, practical approach to bring more harmony and a sense of joy into life.

Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class

Join Amy for a trauma-informed gentle flow Community Class with a particular focus on noticing internal sensations and making choices.

Amy Brooks is a qualified social worker, mental health clinician and yoga facilitator certified in Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) based in the Shoalhaven, NSW. She has been practicing yoga for over a decade and passionately believes in its healing qualities for the mind and body, making it an effective adjunct therapy for mental health work. Amy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Om Sweet Om Milton in 2022.

She is offering yoga classes to the community, combining her professional training and lived experience as a source of strength to guide others on their own journey towards recovery.

What are the signs of an increased kapha?

How to balance kapha in spring?

The kapha diet in spring

Springtime herbal heroes

Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class

Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class

A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...

Sending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.

The generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...

How to Balance Kapha Dosha in Springtime

What are the signs of an increased kapha?

How to balance kapha in spring?

The kapha diet in spring

Springtime herbal heroes

Community yoga classes

Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class

Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class

Testimonials

A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...

Sending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.

The generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...