Based on ancient texts called the Vedas, Ayurveda is a holistic health system from India. It is known as the “Science of Life”. Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of creating and maintaining health through proper diet, daily and seasonal routines, exercise, and appropriate lifestyle. Ayurveda is the sister science of yoga and uses the same techniques as asana, meditation and pranayama. Its goal is to prevent imbalances that eventually lead to disease. Health and disease have two places: the physical body and the mind. By taking proactive steps toward perfect health before symptoms appear, we can often prevent disease.

In Ayurveda, an individualized and multidimensional approach is taken based on a unique mind-body constitution. The doshas are the three energies that govern all the functions of the body. When a person understands his unique combination of the three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha), he can adjust diet and lifestyle accordingly to maintain balance and achieve optimal health.

The end of winter and the beginning of spring are considered the season of Kapha in Ayurveda. This means that we can adjust our daily lifestyle choices to find balance in body and mind. When one quality is present (for example, cold), we create a balance by adding the opposite quality (hot).

Kapha dosha is dominated by the elements of water and earth. If you mix water and dirt, you create mud. It makes sense that kapha energy is heavy, sticky, lubricated, stable, cold, and nurturing. Just as fertile mud gives rise to beautiful plants and flowers, kapha energy stabilizes us for growth.

6 Tips for Kapha Season

1. Exercise every day! This is especially important for people with a Kapha dominant constitution. Walking, swimming, bicycling, running, and yoga are all good options. Since we eliminate ama (toxins) through movement and sweat, this tip will make a big difference.

2. Add a little spice to your life. Sprinkle cardamom, wasabi, cayenne, ginger, garlic, cloves, cinnamon, allspice, and mustard seeds on your food to add heat and ignite agni, the all-important digestive fire. Foods that are dry, warm and spicy get rid of congestion and keep things moving.

3. Drink warm water. Hot foods and drinks are easier to digest and help us stay regular. Consider warm water with 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon of raw honey for a detoxifying tea.

4. Breathe freely using a neti-pot. Since Kapha dominates the chest and upper stomach regions of the body, its wet and sticky nature causes mucus to clog. The neti-pot helps remove mucus and seasonal allergens.

5. Prefer light fruits such as apples, pears, pomegranates and apricots. Avoid heavy fruits like bananas, avocado, pineapple, orange, dates and figs.

6. Mess up! Kapha dominated people tend to collect things. This type of material “congestion” overwhelms us. Instead, set aside a few minutes each day to recycle papers, donate clothes, or clean things up. It will help you feel free and light in body and mind.

Incorporate these tips to breathe freely and enjoy balance during this beautiful season.