It’s morning, just before 6 A.M., and the barest hint of the sun is warming the sky while not yet shining fully. You step out of bed, dress in light clothing, and take a cup of Chyawanprash tea outside to wake up fully with the sun. At this point of the day, Kapha energy is increased, and if Kapha is your predominant dosha, it’s an especially sweet time of the day.
The Kapha Dosha
Characterized by earth and water, Kapha governs the time of day between roughly 6 A.M. and 10 A.M. It’s a time to be awake, creative, and quiet. It’s an especially good time to meditate, even if only for 10 minutes. For those who want to roll over in bed as the sun is rising, it’s best to avoid it. Doing so can, ironically, result in greater tiredness, and a feeling of heaviness that is difficult to dispel. It’s a much better idea to get your body gently moving, go through the steps of an Ayurvedic morning routine and embrace an exercise activity.
For those who have Kapha as their predominant dosha, being naturally calm and grounded is a hallmark. You’ll tend to move at your own pace and enjoy the small, sweet aspects of everyday life.
Best Exercise for Kapha Dosha
The best exercise for Kapha types are activities that invigorate and warm up the body such as running, biking and Sun Salutations. It’s important to break a sweat each day, so 20-30 minutes is really all you’ll need. But, if you’re Kapha, you already know that you can easily go for longer than a half an hour, and that’s OK. Your dosha type is known for having the ability to exercise for longer periods of time, and 45-60 minutes is perfect.
Mix it Up
For Kapha types, it’s also important to mix things up from time to time to avoid getting stuck in an overly restrictive, thoughtless routine.
So, how do you ensure your exercise routine never gets dull or static? Try changing your exercise activity every once in awhile or pick a sport that has natural variety. For example, if you love running, don’t spend your time on a treadmill or track, instead, take to dirt trails in the woods. Wandering between boulders and trees, over rocks, stumps, and streams offers variety and gives you an opportunity to connect with nature and feel its peaceful effect.
Once you finish your workout, don’t forget to stretch! Stretching after a workout is key for maintaining flexibility and avoiding injury. This is a great time to incorporate appropriate Kapha yoga poses into your post-run routine. There is a natural symbiosis between the muscle-lengthening stretching that your body needs after vigorous exercise like a long trail run and yoga asanas.
Now that you know the best exercise for Kapha doshas, it’s time to eat a Kapha balancing breakfast to power your energies for the day ahead.
