Hour 13 Ayurveda

Kapha Dosha Types

hour 13 Online Yoga Life

  • That which has its origin and gets nurtured from WATER element is called Kapha.
  • Kapha dosha is the ‘Principle of Integrity & Nourishment’.
  • That which embraces or binds things together is called Kapha. Kapha forms the binding substance or matrix of the body and holds all components of the body together as a single mass.
  • KAPHA is made up of EARTH + WATER Mahabhuta.
  • Kapha dosha is predominantly located in the upper portion of the body i.e. chest and head.
  • Kapha dosha predominantly acts between 6am – 10am and 6pm – 10pm.
  • Kapha tends to aggravate especially during the Spring season and starts to accumulate in early winter.
Qualities of Kapha dosha:
  • Oily (Snigdha): Kapha has a moist, unctuous quality that provides lubrication to the body.
  • Liquid (Drava): It is fluid, representing the water element, which aids in nourishment and hydration.
  • Heavy (Guru): Kapha is heavy, contributing to stability and grounding.
  • Slow (Manda): Kapha is characterized by slowness in movement and metabolic processes.
  • Stable (Sthira): Kapha provides strength and support, contributing to physical and emotional stability.
  • Cold (Shita): It has a cooling effect, balancing excess heat in the body.
  • Sweet (Madhura): The sweet quality signifies nourishment and satisfaction, often associated with Kapha’s influence on taste.
  • Dull (Tamas): Kapha can be dull or sluggish, especially when out of balance.
Predominant location of Kapha dosha :
  • Chest – It helps in the production of mucus, essential for trapping pathogens and keeping the respiratory tract moist.
  • Throat
  • Head (Brain and sense organs) – It promotes calmness and resilience.
  • Trachea – provides proper lubrication, protective barrier, ciliary movement, and mucus production.
  • Joints – It prevents stiffness and promotes smooth movement.
  • Stomach – It helps to nourish and stabilize the digestive process, promoting healthy metabolism.
  • Lymph, Plasma – Ensures proper circulation, and drainage thus keeping infections at bay.
  • Fat tissues – They provide insulation, protection, and energy reserves.
  • Nose – It aids in the sense of smell and helps filter and humidify the air we breathe.
  • Tongue – provides necessary moisture and lubrication to the tongue, taste perception, speech and communication, and initial breakdown of food.
Functions of Kapha dosha
  1. Structural functions
    • Lubrication (Snehana): Kapha provides lubrication to joints, muscles, and tissues, ensuring smooth movement and preventing friction.
    • Structure: It helps to maintain the structure and integrity of tissues, organs, and the body itself by filling the intercellular space ( Poorana).
    • Growth and development:  Kapha promotes growth and development, especially during childhood and adolescence.
  2. Physiological functions
    • Appetite: Kapha regulates appetite and digestion.
    • Immunity: It helps to strengthen the immune system, protecting the body from disease.
    • Sleep: Kapha is involved in promoting restful sleep.
    • Nourishment (Strength): It plays a crucial role in the growth and development of bodily tissues by facilitating nutrient absorption and retention, promoting healthy body weight.
    • Storage of energy: Kapha stores energy in the form of fat and other tissues, acting as a reserve for the body when needed.
    • Regeneration(Ropana): Kapha helps in the healing and regeneration of tissues.
    • Cognitive functions: Kapha also influences mental clarity and memory, promoting stability and focus.
  3. Psychological and Emotional functions
    • Stability (Sthira): Kapha is associated with stability, calmness, and contentment.
    • Love and compassion: It promotes feelings of love, compassion, and empathy.
    • Forgiveness (Kshama), Endurance, loyalty, and resilience are also bestowed by balanced kapha dosha.
Factors That Aggravate Kapha Dosha
  1. Dietary Factors :
    • Heavy foods: Foods that are heavy, greasy, or difficult to digest, such as fried foods, dairy products, and meat, can increase Kapha.
    • Cold and raw foods: Consuming excessive amounts of cold or raw foods can also aggravate Kapha.
    • Sweet and salty foods: Foods that are sweet or salty can contribute to Kapha imbalance.
  2. Lifestyle Factors :
    • Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can lead to Kapha accumulation.
    • Overeating: Eating more than the body needs can also aggravate Kapha.
    • Day Sleep: Day sleep / Excess sleep disrupts the balance of Kapha.
  3. Psychological factors :
    • Chronic stress like depression and grief weaken the body’s ability to balance Kapha.
  4. Environmental / Seasonal factors :
    • Exposure to cold and dampness: Spending excessive time in cold or damp environments can aggravate Kapha.
    • Spring: The spring season, characterized by increased moisture and humidity, aggravates Kapha.
Diseases Associated with Aggravated Kapha
  1. Respiratory Issues – Chronic cough, associated with phlegm, Sinusitis, wheezing, Asthma, heaviness in the head, nasal congestion, and allergies.
  2. Digestive Issues – Slow digestion, bloating, constipation, and obesity.
  3. Weight Gain – Obesity and metabolic syndrome.
  4. Joint disorders – Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
  5. Skin Conditions – Eczema, psoriasis, and other conditions characterized by thick, oily skin, and skin infections due to trapped moisture.
  6. Cardiovascular Problems – High cholesterol and heart disease.
  7. Hormonal Imbalances – Thyroid issues, particularly hypothyroidism, PCOS associated with excess weight gain and sluggish metabolism.
  8. Emotional Issues – Depression, lethargy, and attachment-related issues.
General Treatment principle to balance aggravated kapha dosha
  1.  Dietary Modifications
    • Focus on Light, Warm Foods: Incorporate whole grains, legumes, fresh vegetables, and warming spices (ginger, black pepper).
    • Limit Heavy and Oily Foods: Reduce dairy, fried foods, and sweets to prevent excess moisture.
  2. Lifestyle Modifications
    • Engage in Regular Exercise: Prioritize vigorous activities (cardio, yoga) to increase metabolism.
    • Establish a Routine: Maintain a consistent daily schedule and avoid excessive rest or inactivity.
  3. Psychological Modifications
    • Practice Mindfulness and Meditation: Foster emotional clarity and stability through mindfulness techniques.
    • Stay Socially Active: Engage in social activities to combat lethargy and isolation.
    • Meditation: Practising meditation and indulging in spiritual practices will help to combat excessive attachment, and possessiveness and remove ignorance thereby providing mental clarity.
  4. Seasonal and Environmental Modifications
    • Adapt to Seasonal Changes: Favour warm, dry environments and seasonal foods to balance Kapha’s cool, moist qualities.
    • Use Steam and Heat: Incorporate steam therapies or warm baths to promote.
Summarization
  • Composition: Made up of EARTH + WATER elements.
  • Principle: It governs the Principle of Binding / Integrity and Nourishment.
  • Qualities: Oily (snighdha), cold (Shita), heavy (guru), slow in action (manda), smooth (slakshana), slimy (mrtsna), and stable (sthira) which ensures stability, structure, integrity, smoothness, and nourishment of the body.
  • Predominance: Chest, throat, head, lungs, joints, stomach, plasma/lymph.
  • Types: Avalambaka, kledaka, Bodhaka, Tarpaka, Sadhaka.
  • Causes of imbalance: Indulging in similar qualities of Kapha (Food- Heavy, cold, oily, fat, dairy products), lifestyle (sedentary life, day sleep)Mental factors (sorrow, lethargy), Environmental (Cold, damp, moist), Seasonal (Spring, winters)
  • Treatment principle: Administration of the opposite quality that is an antagonist to kapha, adopting fasting methods, ensuring good physical activities, and staying in warm environments will result in balance.