Your Constitution
You Are a Vata-Kapha Type!
Vata and Kapha share some inherent qualities but possess some opposing ones too. Cold, heavy, and oily are Kapha’s primary characteristics, while cold, dry, and light are Vata’s.
Natural benefits result from the combination of Vata and Kapha, along with some challenges. For instance, Vata’s lightness manifests in lofty, idealistic thinking, but if left unchecked, it can lead to a lack of concentration and discursive thought. The heaviness (earth aspect) of Kapha, when in balance, can mitigate this, helping to keep you grounded and more focused. When in balance, you are imaginative and creative with a calm disposition and a steady mind. You’re also a gentle, loving, and remarkably tolerant person.
Kapha and Vata have a natural tendency to counter each other, so when you’re out of sorts, you might find it a bit difficult to understand why, or how to get yourself back on track. It’s essential for you to pay close attention to yourself, your thoughts, and in particular your body, to notice subtle changes and understand your current needs.
More About You …
PHYSICALLY
DIGESTION and APPETITE: Although you enjoy food and exploring your culinary creativity in the kitchen, you probably have a moderate-sized appetite. Your digestion can also be quite sensitive, and you are prone to irregular bowel movements and constipation.
ENERGY LEVELS: In the arena of energy and stamina, Vata and Kapha present somewhat counteractive influences, of which the Vata-Kapha type needs to be conscious. Vata’s energy is generally low and susceptible to depletion with overexertion. Kapha, on the other hand, has a stable energy reserve and good endurance but needs motivation to get moving. You can be highly creative and focused at times, while at other times you’re distracted and unproductive. Your physical capacity is also variable. You’ll feel strong and steady at a time, and running on fumes the next. You must strike a delicate balance to ensure you are engaging in a high enough level of activity, while also getting regular, sufficient rest and recuperation.
SLEEP: You like to keep warm when sleeping, and prefer a soft, comfortable bed and lots of covers, though when it comes down to it, you can sleep anywhere. Although you sleep soundly at times, your sleep patterns can be variable, and bouts of insomnia may occur if your mind is full of worries or anxiety when you go to bed. You function best when you sleep early and wake up early. Oversleeping in the morning can make you feel sluggish and hard to get going.
TEMPERATURE: Both Vata and Kapha have cold qualities, which is why you probably suffer from cold hands and feet and are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures. Vata is oversensitive to dry cold and wind, while Kapha is vulnerable to dampness and cold. As such, keeping warm in all circumstances is always an important consideration for you.
MENTALLY / EMOTIONALLY
Your creativity, imagination, and intuition are your strong Vata qualities, which when left unchecked, can lack the focus needed to achieve your dreams. Fortunately, Kapha’s steady, calm, grounding qualities give you exactly what you need, helping you to put those lofty ideas into practice in a practical and useful way. You are generally a calm, compassionate, tolerant, gentle, and loving person, well suited to the healing vocations or professions that serve the greater good.
Does this sound like you? Understanding the doshas and how they relate to us individually can help us to make the most of our strengths and to mitigate our weaknesses.
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LEARN MORE ABOUT KAPHA DOSHA HERE >>> https://jivabotanicals.com/what-is-ayurveda/kapha/
Our Recommendations …
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
The most important thing you can do for your health, both mentally and physically, is to adhere to a lifestyle that will keep both Vata and Kapha in check. As a Vata-Kapha type person, you have the inherent ability to be insightful and creative, yet also remain practical and grounded. The key to your success and happiness lies in maintaining a healthy balance between these two forces. If either Vata or Kapha becomes aggravated, it’s important to recognize this and make immediate changes to your surroundings and your situation to avoid making things worse.
One important way to manage your dual dosha is according to the seasons. In winter and early spring, follow a Kapha-pacifying regime and diet, while taking steps to keep Vata in check during the fall and early winter, when the weather is cold, dry, and windy.
To keep Kapha from accumulating in excess, be sure to:
- Stimulate your body and your mind regularly
- Engage in vigorous exercise, such as jogging, hiking, biking, circuit weight training, vigorous forms of yoga, or martial arts, etc. Don’t overdo it though, as too much intense exercise might aggravate Vata and deplete your energy.
- Be spontaneous, try new things, and engage in social activities, including lively music, uplifting experiences, and stimulating company.
- Always keep warm and dry.
When Vata is aggravated, which it tends to be, try:
- A warm bath (and keeping warm in general).
- An oil massage (and soothing aromatherapy too).
- Yoga/meditation and other grounding practices.
- Spending quiet time reading or doing something calm and meditative.
- A warm, soothing cup of tea before bed, and spending quiet time before going to bed to calm your mind.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
When it comes to food, we all need to indulge our cravings from time to time. Making a religion out of the food we eat misses the whole point of living a happy, healthy life. Adhering to a diet that mostly includes the foods that are good for us and avoids those that can throw our dosha(s) into an aggravated state, is a sane and realistic dietary approach.
Important in Ayurveda are the principles of “like increases like.” Being a Vata-Kapha type can make eating a bit challenging, as many foods that are good for one dosha are bad for the other. For instance, Kapha is increased by sweet, sour, and salty tastes, while these same tastes tend to calm and nourish Vata. Conversely, pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes help to reduce excess Kapha while at the same time they tend to aggravate Vata.
Therefore, moderation in everything is a good approach to eating for the Vata-Kapha type. Paying close attention to how you feel and when it is time to avoid certain foods altogether will go a long way in keeping you feeling good and healthy.
Do:
- Focus on eating three balanced meals daily, as this will help to establish a routine and keep you from snacking in between meals, which Vata-Kaphas need to avoid.
Eat spicy! If there’s one thing Vata and Kapha have in common, it’s the need for heat. Piling on the spice heavily and often will help to keep both of these doshas calm.
Recommended Herbs for Kapha Types:
-
Boswellia Serrata Extract
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Cissus Quadrangularis Capsules
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Holy Basil Capsules (Tulsi)
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Moringa Capsules
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Shilajit Capsules
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Triphala Capsules
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