A Guide to Kapha Dosha: Simple Ayurvedic Practices to Restore Your Energy This Season
You know that feeling of heaviness in the mornings, like your motivation is buried under a weighted blanket? That’s kapha season settling in!
Late winter into early spring, when dampness lingers and the cold just won’t let go, Kapha dosha takes the lead. A time when the elements of earth and water dominate, bringing a sense of heaviness, stagnation, and even emotional dullness. While Kapha’s grounding qualities can be stabilising, too much Kapha can leave you feeling sluggish, unmotivated, and stuck. It can affect your productivity, mental clarity, and even your digestive health.
The good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in the heaviness! Ayurveda teaches us that balance isn’t about fighting against nature but learning how to work with it. And with a few small shifts, you can clear the fog, boost your energy, and bring back that sense of lightness.
What is kapha season?
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical system, divides the year into three seasonal energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each one influencing our mood, digestion, hormones and overall state of balance.
In most parts of Europe, Kapha season is in full effect right now, and if left unchecked, it can settle deep into the body and mind. You might notice: low energy or fatigue, brain fog or lack of focus, sluggish digestion, stuffed sinuses, emotional heaviness or negative thoughts. But don’t worry, there are ways to shake this off!
“Ayurveda, often called ‘the knowledge of life’, is a holistic health system rooted in ancient India, designed to bring balance to body, mind, and spirit.”
How to balance kapha dosha
The key? Introducing lightness, warmth, and movement into your daily routine. Here are 8 practical ways to balance Kapha and bring vitality back into your daily routine:
1. Morning routine: lemon and ginger water
Start your day with a cup of warm lemon and ginger water. This simple yet powerful practice helps:
Stimulate digestion
Clear heaviness in the body
Boost energy levels
Pro Tip: Soak peeled ginger slices in 1-2 cups of water overnight. In the morning, bring the water to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Let it cool slightly, then add fresh lemon juice before sipping.
2. Dry brushing
If Kapha had a nemesis, it would be stagnation. Dry brushing is an instant way to wake up your circulation, release sluggish energy, and boost lymphatic flow. Perfect for busy professionals needing a quick “pick-me-up” before starting the day.
3. Oil pulling
Feeling congested or heavy-headed? Oil pulling with mustard oil is an ancient detox ritual that helps clear mucus, remove toxins, and support digestion, all things Kapha needs a bit of help with.
Swish 1-2 teaspoons of mustard oil in your mouth for 5-10 minutes every morning before brushing.
4. Aromatherapy: the kapha blend
Scent is powerful! It can shift your mood in seconds. My Kapha aromatherapy blend of frankincense, bergamot, and rosemary is designed to:
Refresh your mind
Uplift a heavy mood
Clear out your lungs to open up the breath
Shop here
5. Tulsi (holy basil)
If you feel emotionally or physically stuck, tulsi tea is your go-to. It’s an adaptogen that helps reduce Kapha sluggishness, clear mucus, and support digestion. My favourite one is from Organic India, to be found in most organic stores.
Swap your usual tea or coffee for a warming cup of tulsi and feel the difference.
6. Cloves
Add a pinch of ground clove to your Tulsi tea or sprinkle it into warm dishes. An Ayurvedic powerhouse for digestion, circulation, and mental clarity, that keeps your mind sharp and your gut happy.
7. Movement
If you’re feeling heavy, move! Nothing balances Kapha like dynamic movement: vinyasa yoga, brisk walks, dancing, or even shaking out the body for a few minutes. Move first. The motivation follows.
8. Breathwork: kapalabhati (breath of fire)
This is the ultimate energy boost. Kapalabhati, or breath of fire, works like an internal reset, clearing stagnation and sharpening focus.
How to do it: Sit comfortably with a straight spine, shoulders role back and away from your ears. Take a few deep belly breaths before you start. Exhale fully….then inhale deeply, and exhale in short, quick out breaths, pulling your belly in with each exhale. Do this for 30-60 seconds. Warning: This isn’t a bedtime practice, you’ll feel alert, awake, and ready to go.
Small shifts, big results
Balancing Kapha doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your routine. Simple, intentional practices like these can make a big difference in your energy levels, productivity, and overall well-being.
Which one of these practices will you try tomorrow to feel lighter and more focused?
Want to Know Your Dosha?
While dosha qualities naturally shift with the seasons, it’s important to remember that every person has their own unique constitution (prakruti) and current imbalances (vikruti). What works for one person during Kapha season might not be ideal for another.
These tips are designed to support general seasonal balance, but always consider your individual needs and tendencies. Want to be sure? Take your DOSHA TEST here to discover what’s best for you.
Connect with Me
For more Ayurvedic tips and inspiration, join me on Instagram @wholesomewithmandy or explore my mentorship offerings.
