Your Constitution

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.

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.