Fed up of lying in bed and staring at the ceiling waiting to fall asleep? The very thought of not falling asleep is enough to keep you awake ironically. So what if I told you I had a magic potion in a cup that would help you to drift off into sweet slumber, and I don’t mean a bottle of wine!!
This Ayurvedic anti-inflammatory golden milk is magic in a mug and because its so easy to make you can really get a better nights sleep sooner rather than later!
Golden milk, also traditionally know as Haldi Doodh is a traditional Indian drink that originates from Ayurveda. In its standard traditional form it’s a blend of hot milk and ground turmeric. If you haven’t tried golden milk yet, you’re in for a treat because it is amazing! Filled to the brim with nutrients its a creamy treat!
The benefits are said to be experienced around 4 to 6 weeks of slurping on the golden milk, however I find it does help instantly for a good nights sleep. During my Ayurvedic studies I have discovered many benefits to the spices used in this plant based golden milk. Some of these are;
Improves memory and speeds learning
Reduces free-radical damage and oxidative stress
Relieves arthritis pain and inflammation
Improves blood pressure and reduces LDL cholesterol
Prevents or inhibits colon, breast, and pancreatic cancers
Slows the progression of neurodegenerative disease
Supports over 160 individual physiological functions
Though golden milk has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, its recently made a bit of a comeback. I’ve suggested two different ingredients, the first being much more simple and accessible approach. This variation is perfect for you to have a little dabble with, if you have never tired it and don’t want to waste time and money on something your taste buds aren’t too friendly with haha! You can get the below ingredients for under £1 each in uk supermarkets nut I’ve added links of the companies I use too. The second option is with the same ingredients but they’re fresh and more potent. Needless to say, both have wonderful benefits to the body!
OPTION 1
INGREDIENTS
1 cup (large) of plant based milk ( I like coconut for a creamier texture)
1tsp of turmeric
1/2tsp coconut sugar
1/2tsp ground ginger
1/2tsp ground cinnamon
splash of agave nectar
METHOD
Add coconut milk, almond milk, ground turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon stick, coconut oil, black pepper, and sweetener of choice (I usually add 1 Tsp Agave nectar // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size).
Whisk to combine and warm over medium heat. Heat until hot to the touch and beginning to bubble- normally around 3- 4 minutes – whisk frequently.
Turn off heat and taste to adjust flavour. Add more sweetener to taste or more turmeric or ginger for intense spice + flavour. If you aren’t too keen on texture I would recommend straining the milk first to catch the sediments to remove to gritty texture, I personally like it and think it adds a kick and character!
Serve straight away, dividing between two glasses and leaving the cinnamon stick behind. Best when fresh, though leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat on the stovetop until hot.
OPTION 2 (my favourite)
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups light coconut milk (canned is best, but carton works too)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened plain almond milk (DIY or store-bought)
1 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp fresh ginger root
1 whole cinnamon stick (or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon // I prefer the stick!)
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 pinch ground black pepper
Sweetener of choice (i.e. maple syrup, coconut sugar, or agave nectar to taste)
INSTRUCTIONS
Add coconut milk, almond milk, ground turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon stick, coconut oil, black pepper, and sweetener of choice (I usually add 1 Tsp Agave nectar // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Also note that if you’re grating 1-2 Tbsp ginger rather than using paste (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) into the mixture and then using a fine mesh strainer when serving to strain out the ginger for creamy texture.
Whisk to combine and warm over medium heat. Heat until hot to the touch and beginning to bubble- normally around 3- 4 minutes – whisk frequently.
Turn off heat and taste to adjust flavour. Add more sweetener to taste or more turmeric or ginger for intense spice + flavour. If you aren’t too keen on texture I would recommend straining the milk first to catch the sediments to remove to gritty texture, I personally like it and think it adds a kick and character!
Serve straight away, dividing between two glasses and leaving the cinnamon stick behind. Best when fresh, though leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat on the stovetop until hot.
IMPORTANT: Please consult your gp to check if there are any medications or current conditions you may have that may result in contraindications with the spices above.
So I hope you enjoy this sleep potion and drift into a wonderful deep slumber. Please feel free to comment below with any adaptations you have made to the recipes above. Would love to hear your feedback!
I sat under the moon bare footed for a while before sleeping last night to reflect, just like the moon. Here are my reflections…
Count your lucky stars not only on the nights when she is full Count your lucky stars Even when the sky seems obscured and dull
Even as the sun shines distracted as you may Your lucky stars are always there even in the brightness of the day
Count your lucky stars for its upon them your wishes come true…
Lea
🌕 The last of the super moons of 2023, the harvest moon is named so, for providing the last light of the summer months for the farmers to reap what they have sewed.
🌾 You too, can used this space to harvest what you have sewn and grown.
Whether you have cultivated love in abundance or stability and strength, you have an opportunity to ✨count your lucky stars✨ for all you have grown over the summer months.
🙏🏼 While full moons can be an emotional and intense time, when we understand how to work with them, we’re able to live in tune with their rhythms and harness their power ✨.
🤍 Rather than focusing on the nights ahead as cold and dark, place your focus on seeds of love you have sewn, grown and harvested. Knowing in full faith, that they will continue to provide you with love and nourishment throughout those more challenging months.
If you would like to accompany your full moon ritual with a full moon Yoga flow, come see my Moon Salutations/Chandra Namaskar blog, where I share with you the full sequence of poses to complete the full salutation.
Be with the flow of the seasons, of life itself 🤍🌾🌕 ✨
So what in the world does it mean to have a primary vata dosha?
First, let’s cover a few basics. Born out of the Vedic culture of India, Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old system of holistic healing that roughly translates to “the science of life.” Believed by many to be the oldest health system in the world, Ayurveda utilises diet, cleansing routines, herbal remedies, exercise and other lifestyle approaches to help bring the mind, body and spirit into balance.
balance
The concept of balance is vital in Ayurveda, because being out of balance is the root of all disease, according to this ancient wellness philosophy. If you haven’t done so already, take the What dosha are you? quiz here.
What Are Doshas?
So how do doshas fit into all of this? First, let’s take a closer look at how the elements in the universe — ether (space), air, fire, water and earth — create the three main “doshas” found in all of us.
While we’re all made up of a unique mix of the three main doshas — Vata (ether/space + air), Pitta (fire + water) and Kapha (water + earth) — we tend to be most dominant in one. And that primary dosha is also the one that’s most likely to come out of balance, threatening our mental and physical health.
Knowing we’re all a unique mix of all three doshas, in this article, we’re going to build a greater understanding of the dosha vata.
Now, please keep in mind that understanding your dominant dosha is helpful and important, but combining that knowledge with the season is key to staying balanced, regardless of your constitution, notes Ayurveda and yoga teacher Michele D’Agostino.
we’re all a unique mix of all three doshas
That’s because the qualities of each season can increase or decrease those qualities in us. D’Agostino shares this example: “Autumn is vata season, which can really throw a vata person out of balance. They will need to be more mindful of creating balance during Autumn.”
But really, in today’s hyper-mobile society, chances are we’ve all got a little too much vata. “High mobility is the state of our current culture,” explains D’Agostino. “People travel more than ever, information travels at the speed of light — it’s seems as though time is speeding up.”
It’s this state of high mobility that tends to creates a vata derangement and need to balance in all of us, regardless of our primary dosha.
What Is Vata?
To understand vata, it’s best to break down the physical characteristics we’re born with, the mental characteristics associated with vata types and explore the conditions and symptoms that can bubble to the surface if you’re living with excess vata.
Physical Characteristics (Vata Dosha Body Type)
People high in vata tend to be exhibit the following physical characteristics, also known as vata body type:
Light-colored blue or green eyes, smaller or irregular in shape
Bony, joints crack
Light, thin frame
Very flexible
More translucent skin, easier to see veins
Fine light hair
Dry skin
Delicate features
Tend to “run cold”
Vata weight loss tends to be easy or even unintentional; this type often struggles to gain weight
Emotional and Personality Characteristics of Vata Dosha
Some vata dosha characteristics also include being:
Creative
Artistic
Emotionally sensitive (heart on sleeve)
Perceptive
Spontaneous
Compassionate
Multifaceted interests and abilities
Adaptable
Enthusiastic
When in balance, the vata type seems to effortlessly juggle several things at once, loves change, is adaptable and is highly creative. But what are the symptoms of vata excess? These tend to surface in the form of heightened anxiety, fear, racing thoughts and trouble concentrating.
Bring balance to your Vata dosha
Routine is Vata’s best lifestyle remedy. The minimum routine for healthy, happy, and successful living is 1) eating your meals at the same time daily and 2) getting into and out of bed at the same time daily. Changes in these two areas disrupt your bio-rhythms, upset digestion and the liver, and have the potential to undermine Vata’s delicate health. Vata individuals must take caution not to get too excited or distracted. Excitement will ultimately lead to exhaustion and knock Vata off their routine. Instead, Vata must learn to channel their energy and focus in order to nurture their creative projects long enough to bear fruit.
Vata individuals can create more stability in their lives by making their home nurturing, affectionate, warm, soft, and comfortable. Slippers, comfortable jumpers, throw blankets, and plenty of pillows are helpful for Vata. Keep your home tidy, as a sure sign of Vata imbalance is disorganisation or lack of cleanliness.
Vata balancing with foods
Vata individuals tend towards lightness and need more nurturing foods rich in sweet taste, oil, and salt. Other body types may be jealous of the delicious food recommended for a Vata diet. Sweet taste does not mean sugar, which is actually overstimulating for Vata. In Ayurveda, sweet refers to nourishing foods like root vegetables, animal products, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Foods should be warm, moist, and heavy, yet easy to digest – something like a root vegetable soup, or grandma’s chicken soup, for example.
Vata tends toward dryness, which is often the first sign of Vata imbalance. If you are Vata, hydrate your body before sitting down to eat. Stomach acid, enzymes, and bile all come in liquid form. If you are not hydrating at least half hour before a meal, you’ll lack the 2/3rd litre of fluid necessary to digest your meal, and may experience fullness after only a few morsels.Take care to drink before that window, avoiding water while eating half hour before and after a meal. Dryness often causes gas, bloating, and constipation. Aside from hydrating with water, sour and salty tastes are the juicy flavors to favour. Add good quality oils like ghee to your diet and regularly massage your skin with oil, especially mustard seed.
Vata tends to be cold skinned and deficient. The blood of a Vata person may be anemic and lacking umph. This lack of umph also weakens digestion since the digestive organs are fueled by blood. Blood builders like grass fed red meat, raisins, eggs, and saffron may be helpful.
A Vata person’s metabolism may be low due to exhaustion. As a result, their food doesn’t get broken down fully. This begins a chain reaction where nutrients don’t get absorbed, further weakening the blood. Bad bacteria grow in the unabsorbed food, causing gas and bloating. Not the afters were looking for after a meal hey?!
Vata individuals should avoid foods that are cold and difficult to digest, such as legumes, raw food, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Add warmth by adding mild spices and serve food hot, ginger, and black pepper support healthy Vata digestion. Vatas need to be sure to chew food well and be present and still while eating.
Remedies for the following imbalanced qualities:
Dry – with salt, oil, sour taste, or protein
Light – with carbs, fats, and proteins
Cold – with spices and cooked food served hot
Rough – with gooey foods like oatmeal
Subtle – with grounding root vegetables
Clear – with grounding root vegetables
A go to dish for Vatas feeling off balance is MungDahl Kitchari
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Basmati rice
1 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 tbs ghee
1 inch of fresh ginger root diced or tsp off ginger paste
1/4 tsp Asafoetida
1/2 cup of mung beans
1/2 tsp salt
4-5 cups of water
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
METHOD
1. Use split mung bean if possible.
2. Soak the mung beans for several hours before cooking and drain.
3. Bring the mung beans and 4 cups of water to a boil, scooping off any foam that forms on the top. Then, strain out the liquid, and add another 4c to the mung dal.
4. Meanwhile mash the ginger with a mortar and pestle, or slice thinly. Set the mustard seed aside. Mix the remaining spices together with 1 tsp water, making a paste.
5. Fry the mustard seeds in ghee until they begin to pop.
6. Add the spice paste, spreading it in the pan, and fry for thirty seconds.
7. Add the spices to mung bean. Take some of the broth and wash any remaining spices from the frying pan into the simmering mung bean.
8. After an hour, or when mung beans begin to soften add white basmati rice and another cup of water. If you are going to use brown rice, be sure to add an extra cup of water and cook for longer – until the rice is soft.
9. Cook until tender on low heat for 20-25 minutes.
Final Thoughts
A common question is, “Can vata dosha be cured?” Instead of thinking about “curing” a dosha, it’s better to focus on choosing a appropriate daily routine that helps balance your vata dosha.
Bring excess vata back into balance by focusing on:
Spending time with people who are grounded (kapha)
Considering exploring Ayurvedic herbals like triphala to improve digestive health, ashwagandha to balance stress hormones and brahmi, also known as bacopa, historically used to purify the mind
A vata dosha diet should include plenty of warm, cooked root vegetables, warm lemon water and even some seaweed.
I hope this article has given you a useful insight into your dosha, and if you would like more information or support in bringing your mind/body/soul back into union, please leave a comment or drop me a message here
Pitta is one of three main “doshas” in Ayurveda. In a way, it’s kind of like an ancient system of understanding (and working with) your body and personality type. The combining of the physical and energy bodies.
If Ayurveda medicine is new to you, you’re not alone. This sister science to Yoga, is a 5,000-year-old health system and is one of the oldest forms of medicinal practices in the world. It’s derived from the Vedic texts of India and focuses on bringing the body, mind and spirit back into balance by utilising holistic daily practices, diet and other natural approaches.
What Are Doshas?
To understand dosha basics, we first have to see how Ayurveda classifies the elements of the universe, including what we’re all made of. These include:
Ether (space)
Air
Fire
Water
Earth
The idea is that every person is made of a personalized, unique mix of the three primary doshas, which come from the elements. They are:
And here’s where things get fun. Every person tends to be more dominant in one dosha. That primary dosha will also be the one that’s most likely to come out of balance, threatening our mental and physical health.
We’re all a unique mix of all three doshas, but in this article we’re going to focus on better understanding and balancing and increase in pitta.
In Ayurveda, “like increases like.” That means that pitta types need to work extra hard to stay in balance during the pitta time of year, which is summer. For instance, summer’s hot qualities can initially make the Pitta dosha feel at home, but over time, easily overheat pitta’s already fiery constitution, especially if a pitta person eats lots of heating foods during the pitta summer time of year. In Ayurveda, opposites are used to create a balancing pitta dosha lifestyle.
What are the symptoms of pitta dosha? According to the Himalayan Institute, when pitta is in balance, it is in charge of healthy digestion, immunity and enzymatic processes. However, a pitta imbalance, also known as high pitta, could lead to symptoms that include:
What does pitta dosha mean? To better understand pitta, we’ll first take a look at physical characteristics we’re born with, mental characteristics associated with pitta types and explores the health issues that can arise if you’re living with excess pitta.
Find yourself asking, “How can I overcome Pitta Dosha?” Perhaps a better way to look at it is not how to overcome it, but rather work with your dosha naturally to create more harmony in the mind and body.
When in balance, the pitta type seems like they’re on top of the world. In fact, many pitta types go on to become CEOs or land in other positions of leadership because of their strong drive, focus, concentration and competitiveness.
But Banyan Botanicals outlines signs of excess pitta to watch out for. Imbalances of pitta dosha symptoms can be quite intense. When pitta’s out of balance and running too high, a pitta type experience, among other things:
Argumentative personality
Anger/hostility
Perfectionism
Yellowish coating on tongue
Insatiable hunger and/or thirst
Tenderness in breasts
Bloodshot or yellow tinge in eyes
Chronic imbalance in pitta can actually harm longevity and lead to accelerated aging.
Pitta Balancing lifestyle
Pitta people have a high metabolism characterized by heat and sharpness. They are intelligent and effective problem solvers. They are goal-oriented individuals and often successful in their pursuits.
However, sometimes Pitta individuals are intense, and their direct and effective communication skills can be mistaken as confrontational. They may be irritable, easily angered, or frustrated. Their criticism is often directed at themselves and those closest to them, which may disrupt relationships. Their pride is easily wounded. They often push their bodies and relationships beyond their limits. There are all characteristics of too much heat/Pitta element in the body.
How do we bring balance?
To bring themselves into balance, Pitta people must avoid bullying their body and soften into it. They must stop working when tired, stop running or exercising when strained, and stop thinking or fighting when their mind needs a rest. Many Pitta individuals appear perfect on the outside, with limitless endurance. But their hypervigilance quickly burns up their biological resources, especially their adrenals and nervous system. Pitta must restore calm and pace their intense ambitions for the long haul. Burning the midnight oil is incredibly tempting for them, as its so easily done but ideally Pitta should head to bed with the lights out by 11pm.
Pitta should allow grace and softness
Pitta’s sharp quality leads them to hyper-focus/fixate. They forget to give themselves space and time for creative solutions, and miss the bigger picture perspective. They often take control of situations and engineer their own solutions – at great personal investment of energy and time. Instead, Pitta should allow grace and softness to operate continuously in their lives and relationships. They need to learn to trust that time will lead to the answers.
Contemplative practices are especially attractive to the Pitta mind. However, they should turn their attention towards leisure and other less mental activities instead. Pitta needs time to breathe. They should get outside for some fresh air or make time and space for idle pursuits. The natural world provides an example of the effortless perfection that Pitta needs and craves. Pitta is nourished by sweetness, affection, and nurturing. They should cultivate this sweetness from within by giving sweet gifts to others and to themselves.
When faced with obstacles, Pitta should treat themselves to relaxing, soothing practices such as marma massage and touch therapy, where they can finally let go and allow their creative non-linear side to provide the answers.
Pitta people are irritable and may become quickly angry or frustrated. To overcome this anger they must cultivate true humility and the ability learn new approaches from others who are radically different from themselves. Sãdhanã (spiritual practice) including pranayama and dhyãna (breath work and meditation)
Pitta Balancing diet
Pittas digestive fire is as intense and their mental one. They have a strong appetite. Pitta people can’t wait when they are hungry or they will become angry and upset. Failure to eat on time can also irritate their digestive tract because they often produce too many digestive enzymes.
As a Pitta you should avoid alcohol, excess spices, and other digestive irritants like coffee. Sour and salty foods encourage the release of hot, irritating digestive fluids, including hydrochloric acid and bile. Pungent foods increase heart rate and blood flow and can make you feel hot under the collar. Strong aromatic herbs like mint, or vasodilators like turmeric, can make your body and your digestion too hot. These foods will also exhaust your liver due to excessive blood flow.
Cooling foods such as cucumber, plant milk, pears, and honeydew melon soothe inflamed Pitta membranes. Bitter greens like kale, collards, and red leaf lettuce can literally cool your temper as they draw heat and blood back downward from the head. After eating bitters such as these, you may notice that your eyes feel more relaxed and refreshed. Astringent foods such as legumes, raw veggies, and dried fruit can absorb and dry up Pitta’s excess acids and fluids. Astringents also reduce inflammation and irritation.
Like Vata, Pitta also benefits from sweet foods like sweet potato, whole grains, and animal products. These heavier foods satisfy Pitta’s strong appetite and can lull Pitta away from their ambitious nature. Sweet taste also soothes their internal inflammation.
Pitta individuals have sensitive livers. For this reason, Pitta should avoid fried foods and poor quality oils that overstimulate the liver. Instead, cook with coconut oil and ghee. Blueberries and strawberries are ideal to nourish your liver. Cooling bitters can also cleanse your liver. You may find your liver is sensitive to nightshades such as tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, or foods with aflotoxins like peanuts and corn. Fermented foods are heating and irritating to the gut, and may also overtax the liver.
Pitta, paradoxically, often has weak digestion due to inflammation of their GI tract. Cooling spices like cilantro, fresh ginger, cardamom, and fennel will improve Pitta indigestion without creating the heat of other, hotter spices like cayenne, black pepper, and cinnamon. These cooling spices will also please Pitta’s palate. Pitta people are often determined to succeed, which can include eating their perfect diet. Pitta’s vigilance, however, can lead to orthorexia – characterized by overly strict adherence to their diet. Ultimately, suppression of instincts works against Pitta, leaving them confused. Instead, Pitta people need to take a relaxed approach, even with their diet. Rather than strictly following the rules of their mind, they need a more body-centric approach. They must cultivate the ability to listen to their body and follow their internal cravings.
If you don’t know your body type yet, take the quiz here to find out. If you do know your body type, use these resources to balance Pitta:
Pitta Reducing Recipe
Ingredients
Serves 2
1 cup basmati rice
1/3 cup coriander (cilantro)
2 tbsp ghee
1/3 cup coconut flakes
1 tsp of ginger paste
1/2 cup mung beans
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
6 cups water
Method
Wash the mung dal and rice separately. Soak the mung dal for a few hours if you have the time, then drain. Put the ginger, coconut, cilantro and the 1/2c water into a food processor and blend until liquefied. Heat the ghee on medium in a large saucepan and add the blended items, turmeric and salt. Stir well and bring to a boil to release the flavor. Next mix in the rice, mung dal and the six cups of water. Return to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for five minutes. Then cover, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Turn down the heat to simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, until the dal and rice are tender.
I hope this article has given you a useful insight into your dosha, and if you would like more information or support in bringing your mind/body/soul back into union, please leave a comment or drop me a message on the contact page.
To better understand your primary dosha type, we first must take a look at Ayurveda, which roughly translates to “the science of life.”
Ayurveda is a buzz word that seems to be popping up in the world of wellness a lot these days. But did you know it’s actually an ancient medical science believed to be one of the first health systems in the world?
Ayurvedic medicine is a 5,000-year-old system of natural healing born out of the Vedic texts of India. In a nutshell, the idea is there are three doshas — Vata, Pitta and Kapha — and keep them balanced for our unique body type is quintessential to being mentally and physically healthy.
What Are Doshas?
Here’s a little more basic background on doshas to help things click. Ayurveda breaks up the elements of the universe into these parts:
Ether (space)
Air
Fire
Water
Earth
These elements create the three main “doshas” found in all of us. We all contain a personalised mix of the three main doshas — Vata (ether/space + air), Pitta (fire + water) and Kapha (water + earth) — but we tend to be dominant in one. And that primary dosha is also the one that’s most likely to come out of balance, threatening our health.
Knowing we’re all a unique mix of all three doshas, in this article, we’re going to focus on better understanding kapha.
Identifying and better understanding your dominant dosha is helpful and important. But that’s just one part of the puzzle. It’s also best to combine that information with the seasons to staying balanced, regardless of your make up.
Late winter and spring is the kapha time of year, meaning a kapha person may have to work extra hard to keep things in balance. That’s because the qualities of each season can increase or decrease those qualities in us.
It’s this state of high mobility that tends to creates a vata derangement and need to balance in all of us, regardless of our primary dosha.
Signs of imbalance due to increased kapha include:
Weight gain
White coating on the tongue
Depression
Hoarding/accumulating clutter
Sleep too much
Excess mucous
The great news is Ayurveda lays out a clear path of daily activities we can turn to in order to help bring the body back into balance.
Kapha individuals are naturally loving, supportive, and stable. Kapha can be compared to a swan or a tortoise. Kapha people make pleasant companions and loyal friends. They have an amazing ability to nurture.
Underneath their calm constitution, however, Kapha suffers from fear of the unknown. For this reason, Kapha people naturally gravitate towards secure, stable lifestyles. Change is very scary for a Kapha. Like an ostrich, they may bury their head into the sand. For this reason, Kapha can sometimes get into a rut.
treat Vata like a delicate flower, Pitta as a sweet friend, and Kapha like an enemy
Ayurveda says to treat Vata like a delicate flower, Pitta as a sweet friend, and Kapha like an enemy. Since movement and change don’t come easily to Kapha, they need to be prodded and motivated. Kapha needs a coach that can rip the Band-Aid off. Most Kapha people appreciate individuals that hold them accountable. Their tendency is to stay comfortable in familiar surroundings. Instead, they should shake things up a bit and branch out into new territory. Travel, signing up for a online e-course, or a night out dancing can lift Kapha’s spirits and provide much needed inspiration.
Rising with the sun helps keep Kaphas clear headed and light on their feet
Kapha’s cold, heavy nature leads to poor circulation, water retention, and hypothyroid. Kapha fluids are generally thick. They need cardiovascular activity to get things moving. Kapha needs stimulation on multiple levels. Dry and vigorous massage invigorates Kapha and prevents stagnation in bodily channels. Spicy and invigorating foods can help stimulate Kapha out of their rut.
Kapha should wear bright, stimulating clothing and choose stimulating surroundings. Rising with the sun helps keep Kaphas clear headed and light on their feet. As a Kapha, you should not oversleep or take daytime naps, which make you feel sluggish.
Kapha’s poor circulation leads to respiratory congestion and low immunity. They should keep warm to protect their lungs and sinuses. Since Kapha has low immunity they should not share drinks and foods with friends, as they are more susceptible to germs.
On the bright side, once Kapha is committed they have great stamina, and see a project through to completion. As in the story of the tortoise and the hare, Kapha is the slow and steady one that will win the race.
To understand kapha, it’s best to break down the physical characteristics we’re born with, the mental characteristics associated with kapha types and explore the conditions and symptoms that may rise to the surface if you’re living with excess kapha.
But first, let’s take a look at the qualities of kapha itself:
Moist
Cold
Heavy
Dull
Soft
Sticky
Static
When a kaphic person is in balance, he or she possesses physical strength, strong immunity and wonderful personality traits.
Physical Characteristics (Kapha Body Type)
What is the kapha body type? Often described as strong, sturdy, larger boned and more endomorphic (meaning they tend to gain weight easily and have trouble losing it), the kapha type’s body is a reflection of the heavy, dense qualities of earth. (Remember, kapha is Earth + Water elements).
Some other kapha body type and mental characteristics include:
Large eyes
Full, this, oily, luxurious hair
Strong stamina
Good memory
Moist, thick and soft skin
Although lots of people Google, “How do you get rid of Kapha Dosha?” The truth is, kapha types have many great characteristics, as long as things are in balance.
Here’s a really fun perk for kapha types: They tend to age more slowly and enjoy a longer life span because they’re full of “ojas,” or “juiciness,” known as the sap of life in Sanskrit.
It can also be very liberating to learn about your primary dosha body type because it provides a better understanding that we’re all born with specific body types and characteristics.
For instance, kaphas tend to have larger frames. A kapha type may never look like a very slim “airy” vata type, but bringing kapha into balance facilitates a strong, sturdy frame with a bolstered immune system, along with strong health and vitality during the aging process.
Emotional and Personality Characteristics of Kapha
I always like to say everyone should have a kapha type as a best friend. That’s because the positive qualities of a well-balanced kapha type include:
Compassion
Patience
Sweetness
Easily forgiving
Gentle
Emotionally stability
Loving
Loyal
Nurturing
When in balance, the kapha type is healthy, supportive, mentally stable and loyal. But what are the symptoms of kapha dosha that’s out of balance? Kapha excess tends to surface in the form of hoarding, becoming too attached to people, avoiding any change and becoming inactive. For a kapha dosha, sleep in excess is a common problem.
Kapha Blanacing Diet
Kapha loves comfort and the good life. They love sweets and satisfying comfort foods like mashed potatoes. Some Kaphas love the creamy texture of pudding and ice cream, others love salty, crunchy chips. Kapha people like familiar foods and resist trying new things.
It’s best for Kapha to avoid eating after dark, when their body is tired and metabolism starts to wane. Kapha people who eat late at night will store their calories as fat and quickly gain weight. Kaphas do best on a diet of light and dry foods with plenty of vegetables and legumes.
Most Kaphas have trouble resisting food cravings. Since discipline is a struggle for Kapha, sweets and cakes should be removed from the home. Foods with bitter taste can help Kapha overcome food cravings, as bitter taste refreshes the palate. Bitter taste gives Kapha an opportunity to be more disciplined. It is also the most cleansing taste, which may help Kapha lose weight.
Kapha’s nature is cool and dull. Generous amounts of spices can add vitality to their cooking and energize their life. Hot spices such as cayenne, black pepper, and fenugreek reinvigorate Kapha. These spices will make you feel hot and increase your heart rate, positive signs that your fluids are circulating and that the spices are working to stimulate you from within.
Kapha people tend toward slow, heavy digestion and do well avoiding dairy, wheat, and sugar. Cold foods are generally contraindicated. Raw food astringes Kapha’s moist nature and the roughness of raw vegetables scrubs their GI tract clean.
Remedies for the following imbalanced qualities:
Heavy – light foods, exercise, avoiding oversleeping and eating at night
Dull – spices, movement
Oily – astringent, bitter, and pungent tastes, dry massage
Cool – spices, warm foods and drinks
Static – movement, trying new things
Cloudy – pungent spices, rising early
Kapha Blanding recipe
Ingredients
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 bunch of leek
4 whole large potatoes
1 pinch or red chilli flakes
1/2 tsp of sea salt
2 tbsp of coconut oil
6-8 cups of water
Method
1. Heat 4 cups of water on high. Meanwhile, peel and chop potatoes into approximately 1 inch cubes. Add to the water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, slice and chop the leeks into small bite size pieces.
2. Strain the potatoes after boiling for ten minutes. Save the water. Add 2c cool water to the potatoes (to cool them for the blender) and blend the potatoes along with the leeks. Pour back into the hot liquid and return to a boil. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer on low heat for twenty minutes.
3. Serve hot and garnish with cracked pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Final Thoughts
The kapha type is made from Earth and Water elements.
Kapha dosha characteristics include having a bigger-boned, strong, larger frame; large eyes; thick, slightly oily, luxurious hair; compassion, loyalty and emotional stability.
Signs of a kapha imbalance include oversleeping, sluggishness, hoarding, depression, weight gain and becoming too attached to people or things.
According to Michele D’Agostino, an Ayurveda yoga teacher, ways to balance kapha include:
Adopting a kapha-reducing diet
Avoiding an overly leisurely lifestyle
Rise early
Avoid daytime naps
Opt for stimulating activity like jogging, hiking and more vigorous forms of yoga
Seek out variety in daily routines
Spend time with motivating people
Ayurvedic herbs for kapha dosha include ashwagandha
Kapha types can benefit from using a neti pot to clear excess congestion.
Things like dry brushing can also help balance kapha.
I hope this article has given you a useful insight into your dosha, and if you would like more information or support in bringing your mind/body/soul back into union, please leave a comment or drop me a message here
We all think thoughts, we all feel feelings which inevitably come and go. Yet as fleeting as they are, we often find ourselves carried away with our thoughts, or attaching our identity to our feelings. Instead of questioning as to where they come from or where they go, or whether we should hold so much concern for them at all, we find ourselves in a fog of thought or giving our power away with comments such as ”I am sad” or ‘you make me so angry!”.
So. I invite you to take a moment to dig deep in the catalogue of memory. Then find an experience you’ve had where you felt a feeling of sadness, anger or maybe frustration, where the thoughts were cluttered. How does it feel? Does if feel as strongly as it did while the event unfolded?
Now take yourself to a moment, where you felt happy, relaxed and feeling safe maybe. Where the thoughts were clear and flowing. Sit with it for a moment now. Close your eyes and take a conscious deep breath and BE with that thought and those feelings once again….How does it feel?
Was your overall experience in these moments derived from an idealism or expectation not being met? Or maybe it was the opposite and the experience was all that you had expected or more?
Was your peace in both moments, determined by attaching to idealisms and expectations? Whether they were labelled as ‘good’ or ‘bad’, were you attached to the outcome and the feeling it cultivated whether happy or sad?
conflict with ourselves or another, comes from our identifcation to the thoughts and feelings
We are not our thoughts, nor our feelings. They come and go like the the waves of the ocean, so why would we mistaken the all pervading ocean to be only the wave? Lifes very nature is to move, to flow.
I explain this to my children in a little story of a snowman…
It’s a cold winters day. The snow is falling, leaving a blanket of white sparkling fluff on the ground, We excitedly wrap up and head into the garden to build a beautiful snowman.
Memories formed of the fun we had building our snowman, the sense of pride and achievement when we placed his carrot nose on his round face as the finishing touch. We stand back with a big smile and admire our handy work, our creativity, and marvel at what we created with our own imaginations and soggy gloved cold hands. We head back into the warmth of our home with a sense of achievement.
The next day, you rush to the window to see if he’s still there. A wave of relief washes over you when you see he’s still standing tall and proud as the cold winters sun glistens on his ice white body. The sparkles creating a magical aura around him.
Another day passes and as soon as you wake, you rush to the window. The snowman is still there, phew! But wait, he’s changed…hes not looking so grand, a little wonky perhaps, his head slightly tilted and his carrots looking a little droopy too! Feeling frustrated you slip your wellies on, forgetting to put you coat on with a sense of panic you rush out into the garden, grabbing the snow with your bare hands and patching your snowman up. Again, you stand back with a smile, satisfied that he looks good again and you walk in feeling super cold but happy that you have ‘fixed’ your snowman.
The following day you rush to the window to check in on your snowman, it was the first thing you thought of when you woke up with a mix of excitement and angst consuming you as you anticipated the fate of the snowman was today. It’s raining, heavy. Unable to see clearly, you panic as you can only make out a shape at the bottom of the garden through the rain drops filling the window. You’re so upset, you forget to put your wellies on let alone your coat and run out into the garden. Standing barefooted you begin to cry, your snowman had melted. Washed away. Your snowman had gone. You cried. Tears of anger filled your eyes and as you let your frustration flow, those tears rolled down your red cheeks with the rain you blamed for washing away your snowman.
I came up from behind with a big blanket and wrapped it around you along with my arms for a long loving hug. I held you close and asked you to why was you so sad. You wailed with despair “the stupid rain had washed away my snowman and now he was gone forever”. ” I understand why you may feel sad right now, but please look closer, he’s still here” I replied softly. You raised your voice and shouted ‘dont be silly mum, are you mad? Can’t you see that he’s gone and I’m so angry and sad?” I hugged you a little tighter and said “look from the stillness of your heart, the snow was rat some point rain, the puddles you see on the ground, the rain drops landing all around, are all your snowman darling, he is everywhere to be found.”
You closed you eyes, took a deep and soft breath, then opened them again to see from your heart, what was left. You too could see your snowman in the puddles and droplets of rain on your skin, even the tears on your cheeks maybe once was him. The corners of your little mouth started to rise, a sense of knowingness arrived in your bright blue eyes.
‘Thank you mummy’ as you gave me a kiss, ‘ he will always be here’ as you pointed to your heart ‘there is nothing to miss”
We walked slowly back to the house to go get dry and warm, the same as we did the day your snowman was born. Turning back once again with a smile on your face, you couldn’t see your snowman anymore yet still felt happy as you knew there was nothing to replace.
So, if you ever find yourself in the red mist of anger, or swept along in the flow of frustration, take a moment to shift into your awareness and witness the feelings, to watch the thoughts. Notice the stillness in the space where the witness resides. If you have a little more space, I recommend an easy Pranayama breathing technique tat helps to bring balance to the body/mind. The link is here
YOU are that. I AM THAT. The all pervading stillness that allows of life moves through.
In todays post I will be sharing my insight into Yin Yoga and how it can help you transition from the long and warm summer days, to the unpredictable and ever-changing colder days of Autumn. This Autumn Yin Yoga blog post was the theme of my in person classes this week which you are more than welcome to join here. We delve into the Traditional Chinese Medicine side of the practice to give you a greater understanding of the reason we sit in particular postures and how they can help bring balance.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses various elements to describe the essence of everything in life, including ourselves and our bodies. The properties of the elements help us in understanding our own mental and emotional patterns or habits.
Each element has connections with an individual meridian system, and its health is determined by the element’s balance or imbalance.
The METAL element is associated with the meridian system of the lungs and large intestine. These meridians are located in our arms. When practicing Autumn Yin Yoga, we may opt for postures which generate tension in the outer arm to target the large intestine or the inner arm to target the lungs.
Autumn Yin Yoga
Chinese medicine defines this meridian system by finding similarities with the Autumn season. Autumn is a period of decline, a shift from Yang (active season) to Yin (still season). The moment has arrived to start recognising what’s significant from what’s not. This transition can be observed in nature when the withered leaves fall throughout this season. They don’t, however, entirely die; rather, they become fertiliser, nourishing the land for the following season. It is an entire season of metamorphosis, so accepting changes and saying goodbye to the old will be needed in order to make room for the new.
The function of the organs associated with this meridian shows the same metamorphosis that we witness in nature. The lungs and large intestine are responsible for sorting what’s needed from the unnecessary. The lungs separate the oxygen that enters the bloodstream from the carbon dioxide that leaves the body. The Large Intestine collects the remaining nutrients from our food and separates them from what is useless and should be eliminated.
How the metal element impacts our being: Why is this important?
The Metal element describes the mental characteristics related with this meridian in the same way as the autumnal season explains the function of the organs.
The metal element symbolises structure, rigidity, stability, and strength. Someone with a strong metal will be disciplined, appreciate structure, behave ethically, and respect rules and authority. It is rigorous and efficient, with a strong drive and commitment to achieving the greatest outcomes.
As with any element, having too much or too little of it can cause an imbalance that affects our physical and mental well-being.
A physical imbalance in these meridians can cause disorders that affect the lungs, chest, and throat, such as asthma, colds, and sinusitis. It can also cause skin conditions including eczema and dry skin. In the large intestine, it can produce constipation or diarrhoea.
On a mental and behavioural level, too little metal leads to a lack of structure, indifference, a lack of bias, or a lack of care. On the other hand, too much Metal leads to harsh criticism, being critical, perfectionist, and having high expectations. It can lead to excessive rigidity, which causes an unwillingness to accept change and makes it difficult to let go.
The predominant emotion connected with an imbalance of this element is GRIEF, which is clinging on to something and unable to let go. It is an attachment to another person, a belief, a concept about ourselves or the universe and reality.
Why is this important? Because attachment and the unwillingness to let go are what hinder us from living in the present moment. And only complete presence allows us to experience true calm, contentment, and joy.
So, how do we LET GO?
Letting go is not an action; rather, it is the reverse. It is the release from clinging onto something. Stopping the attachment. It is about relinquishing the belief and expectation that we need something for us to be happy, whole, and fulfilled. LETTING GO means full acceptance of the present moment as it is. So there is nothing to do, so to speak but simply stop doing.
When we resist letting go, we are unable to feel full presence, and the present now is the only moment when we can experience wholehearted joy.
So maybe create some space, if not now, then at some point in your day, to self inquire. Reflect upon any areas in your life where you may be clinging on. Whether it be to a desired outcome or expectation. You could even be attached to the outcome of letting go! Like a dog chasing its own tail, if you learn to be still you will see there is nothing to let go of but the mere thought of the attachment in the first place.
Are you being very strict in your life? In your plans, what are your expectations? Do you need to improve your flexibility in some areas?
How do you feel when things are changing? How comfortable are you with change?
Is there any aspect of your life that needs or is undergoing change?
Are there any areas where you are resistant to change?
Are there any places where you are unable to let go of something or someone?
Are you hanging onto any beliefs about who you are or how your life should be that are keeping you stuck in a state of resistance and rejection of reality? As a result, you are unable to completely experience what is.
Brahmacharya – Self inquiry
If the self inquiry is a little too challenging for you then may I suggest a few other ways you could explore surrendering:
If you related to any of the above questions, you may be experiencing a metal element imbalance and may benefit from a Yin practice that focusses on the lungs and large intestine meridians.This imbalance is common during the transition of yang summer season to the yin autumn season. Postures aimed at the inner and outer arms aid in the removal of blockages in these meridian channels, which hinder the uninterrupted flow of energy through your body and so impact you emotionally or physically.
What else could you do? I would recommend embracing spontaneity. Get out of your comfort zone. Allow yourself to be in situations in which you have no control so that you may become more comfortable and lessen your connection to certain beliefs that may be keeping you stuck. You practice being more flexible and less rigid.
Another method is to practise “letting go” in a practical sense by getting rid of everything you don’t truly need so that your mind becomes more comfortable with it. Learning to let go of small things at first allows your entire being to become more comfortable with letting go of larger, challenging things. Clearing out your wardrobe and giving away clothing you no longer use to a charity can help you learn how to do this.
Of course, meditate. Practice yoga. Because that is precisely what we are engaging in: returning to presence. Acknowledge and accept the present moment. Without attempting to alter it in any way. Without any preconceived notions about how it ought to be. We practise being fully present in the breath and body. Only in this present moment can we discover serenity, contentment, and joy. Isn’t that what we all are seeking?
I do hope you have enjoyed reading todays blog and please leave a comment below if you have any feedback or questions.
In the meantime, I have attached a playable PDF version of the sequence created for my class this week below. Don’t forget to press the play button for it to live scroll through the sequence. There is also a simple recording of my Autumn Yoga Nidra you can listen to here. It’s a simple and effective Autumn Yoga meditation to help you to change your perspective of ‘letting go”.
We’ve all been in that space where we can’t hear ourselves think. To do lists coming out of your ears, cooking dinner whilst replying to emails on your phone, on loud speaker on hold to the doctors, kids claiming starvation and the pooch is mooching around your ankles waiting for his dinner. The head is literally ready for falling off haha! So you either run for the hills and do a Thelma and Louise, go to the bathroom and lock yourself away or JUST BREATHE! Trust me, the latter is the better choice!
So today Im going to share with you a breathing technique I learned over my many years of practicing Yoga, a pranayama exercise that has quite literally saved my life and many others (let’s not go there haha!)
Alternate nostril breathing is a simple yet powerful breathing technique that settles the mind, body, and emotions. You can use it to soothe the body/mind before beginning a meditation practice, and it’s really helpful to ease racing thoughts if you are experiencing anxiety, stress, or having trouble falling asleep.
There are a few different styles of alternate nostril breathing, but they all serve the purpose of creating balance and regulating the flow of air through your nasal passages. The term Nadi Shodhana means “clearing the channels of circulation.” This may be the most common label for this breathing exercise but it’s also known as Anulom Vilom. Anulom vilom does not retain the breath at the end of the inhale and the end of the exhale though.
Benefits Of Alternate Nostril Breathing
With just a few minutes of alternate nostril breathing, you can restore balance and ease in the mind and body. Sometimes when we feel frazzled or find ourselves doing too many things at once, it’s because energetically, we are out of alignment. This breath is great for restoring that necessary balance.
Supports our lungs and respiratory functions
Restores balance in the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and clears the energetic channels
Rejuvenates the nervous system
Removes toxins
Settles stress
Whether you’re nervous about a new experience approaching, anxious about a conversation, or just generally stressed out, Nadi Shodhana is a simple, quick and calming way to bring you back to your centre. If you find it difficult to settle into your meditations, try moving through a few rounds of this pranayama exercise first, then remain seated and shift directly into stillness; this should help to ground you before meditation.
Don’t force the breath, invite the breath
How do we practice Nadi Shodhana alternate nostril breathing.
Next time you find yourself doing too many things at once, or you sense panic or anxiety begin to rise, move through a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing. It’s a great way to hit the reset button for your mental state.
1.Take a comfortable and tall seat, making sure your spine is straight and your heart is open.
2.Relax your left palm comfortably into your lap and bring your right hand just in front of your face.
3.With your right hand, bring your pointer finger and middle finger to rest between your eyebrows, lightly using them as an anchor. The fingers we’ll be actively using are the thumb and ring finger.
4.Close your eyes and take a deep breath in and out through your nose.
5.Close your right nostril with your right thumb. Inhale through the left nostril slowly and steadily.
6.Close the left nostril with your ring finger so both nostrils are held closed; retain your breath at the top of the inhale for a brief pause.
7.Open your right nostril and release the breath slowly through the right side; pause briefly at the bottom of the exhale.
8.Inhale through the right side slowly.
9.Hold both nostrils closed (with ring finger and thumb).
10.Open your left nostril and release breath slowly through the left side. Pause briefly at the bottom.
11.Repeat 5-10 cycles, allowing your mind to follow your inhales and exhales.
Steps 5-9 represent one complete cycle of alternate nostril breathing. If you’re moving through the sequence slowly, one cycle should take you about 30-40 seconds. Move through 5-10 cycles when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or in need of a reset button.
Help with easing anxiety and stress fast!
Single left nostril breathing (by closing your right nostril) will direct the flow of oxygen and energy to the right hemisphere of your brain, allowing once again, for the parasympathetic nervous system to be switched on. This system is also known as the rest and digest.
Tip: Consistency is helpful, so try to match the length of your inhales, pauses, and exhales for all methods.
For example, you can start to inhale for a count of five, hold for five, exhale for five, hold for five. You can slowly increase your count as you refine your practice.
3 Things to Remember When Practicing Nadi Shodhana Pranayama
The breathing pattern is breath out, breathe in, switch sides.
Don’t force the breath, invite the breath – keep it gentle and natural. Allow the breath to be smooth and even without creating force or pressure. Do not breathe through the mouth or make any sound such as in Ujjayi breath.
Place the fingers very lightly on the forehead and nose. There is no need to apply any pressure.
Medical and Health Considerations
Contraindications: None. However I would suggest avoiding this technique if you have a really blocked nose or a fever. Also avoid retention of the breath if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, suffer from migraines or pregnant. I would suggest consulting your GP first.
While a regular yoga practice can result in improved health, know that it is not a substitute for medical treatment. It is important to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained teacher. In the case of a medical condition, practice yoga after consulting a doctor.
Learn some more powerful yogic breathing techniques with me or the team in our online yoga classes or one to yoga sessions.
Remember, if you need any more tips, please don’t hesitate to comment below or get in touch with me.
I would like to introduce you to Rumi. A Persian poet who walked this earth in the 13th Century. His musings on life, love, Sufism, and the mysteries of our universe are relatable. When I read his words they speak to my heart. Loves translation.
There are not many who speak this language that softly whispers over the suns and moons to me…when I find them, I treasure them deeply. This short sweet post is to express my gratitude for Rumis existence and above all, the divine expressing herself in the form of this man named Mevlana Rumi…
“Love is the bridge between you and everything.”
“Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”
“Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with heart and soul there is no such thing as separation.”
“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”
“Wherever you are, and whatever you do, be in love.”
“Be soulful. Be kind. Be in love.”
“Love sometimes wants to do us a great favour: hold us upside down and shake all the nonsense out.”
“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
“Lovers find secret places
inside this violent world
where they make transactions
with beauty.”
“Love so needs to love
that it will endure almost anything, even abuse,
just to flicker for a moment. But the sky’s mouth is kind,
its song will never hurt you, for I
sing those words.”
Love isn’t the work of the tender and the gentle;
Love is the work of wrestlers.
The one who becomes a servant of lovers
is really a fortunate sovereign.
Don’t ask anyone about Love; ask Love about Love.
Love is a cloud that scatters pearls.”
“If I love myself
I love you.
If I love you
I love myself.”
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing
and rightdoing there is a field.
I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass
the world is too full to talk about.”
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you love. It will not lead you astray.”
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