Welcome to Kapha season…
There is no official start date for Kapha season, but the mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox (approximately Feb 1-2) seems like a good time to officially ring in detox season.
What is Kapha season exactly? Seasonal living, and the delicate transition between seasons, is at the heart of living Ayurveda. Our outer environment is constantly affecting our bodies, minds, and our doshas. To stay in balance, we counteract the qualities found in our environment through opposing qualities in our diet and lifestyle.
The transition from winter to spring is dominated by the elements of Earth and Water. Think: snow melting, mud, damp air, cloudy sky, soft, mushy earth.
So, what to do? How do we keep ourselves in balance? Time to dry brush, exfoliate, get that lymphatic massage, eat your kitchari, drink your detox tea…anything and everything to get your body and mind moving and circulating once again. Kapha needs daily movement, stimulation & deep cleansing to overcome its innate sluggishness.
Food-wise, your body may have started communicating with you that it’s ready for light and stimulating foods. For example: craving arugula, green juice, raw foods, things that would have seemed unthinkable back in October (peak Vata season, when we tend to crave grounding, warming, rooted foods).
Other tips:
-Increase bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes
-Decrease sweet and sour tastes, and heavy food in general
-Take a hot, steamy bath - or plan an afternoon at the sauna
-Go to bed early and wake up early. (No daytime napping!)
-Try to move your body/exercise for 30 minutes per day to get that Kapha (and your lymphatic system) flowing!