Subdoshas of Kapha

The sub-doshas of kapha are energies that create the tissues of the body and support the building of new tissues. Kapha is construction, so the five sub-doshas of kapha are the construction workers of kapha dosha.

• Avalambaka kapha extracellular fluids
• Kleda kapha digestive lubrication
• Tarapaka kapha moisture and lubrication
• Bodhaka kapha saliva and taste receptors
• Sleshaka kapha joint lubrication

Through the sub-doshas is how we see kapha present and working within our body. When kapha is balanced it produces ojas, the subtle energy of kapha when all is functioning well. Ojas is the essence of all vital fluids that keep our bones and tissues balanced, healthy, and in harmony with the rest of the body. It is our enthusiasm for life and projects, our strength, and our inner wisdom. When we lack any of that, we can surely attribute it to a disturbed kapha dosha.

Avalambaka kapha is the extracellular and pericardial fluids that cushion the cells and organs. Avalambaka kapha is found in the heart and lungs to lubricate the contraction of the heart and expansion of the lungs. Disturbances lead to fast or slow heart rate, as well as pain in the chest and difficulty breathing.

The emotion of grief and sadness is held here. The chest becomes heavy, the shoulders round, and we collapse the chest and heart. Too much kapha in the lungs produces a wet cough.

Kleda kapha ensures that the stomach and other internal organs are not "digested" by the strong digestive juices (pitta). It is the lining that protects the internal organs, a weak lining leads to gastric ulcers and/or gastritis.  All three dosha energies are at work in the GI tract, at the same time. The digestive process is the domain of pitta, but disturbances in digestion are not only pitta related. Pitta is performing its job well, releasing the digestive enzymes when its suppose to. It's the kapha lining that is not strong, or thick enough to counteract the fire, and that is why there is a hole in our organs. We must look at the underlying causes of the disturbance to determine which dosha is weak.

Tarapaka kapha it is the moisture in the eyes, brain, and spinal cord. In the west, this is referred to our cerebrospinal fluid. Tarapaka kapha protects our nervous system as well and is related to our happiness and affection. It is the juice that keeps our brain and nerves calm and cool; when it is weak, we become frazzled.

Bodhaka kapha is found in the mouth, the tongue, and salivary glands, it is directly related to taste. Taste receptors react to substances that are covered with saliva; saliva is also the first step of digestion (ph 6). When the mouth becomes dry, or easily burned, that is a direct result of weak bodaka kapha. The mouth lacks the sufficient saliva that we need to liquify food and send it to the stomach for further digestion.

Bodhaka kapha is also found in the throat. It is lubrication so that food can go down to the stomach easily. When bodhaka kapha is weak, it causes the mouth to dry and it invites vata emotions to manifest. Emotions such as fear and anxiety lead to further drying of the mouth, as well as excessive dryness leads to a vata disturbance.

Sleshaka kapha is the synovial fluid in the bones, particularly the joints. It is the energy that maintains the joints and bones together and cushioned so that they are not rubbing into each other and creating friction. It also unites the individual units of the cells (organelles).

To stimulate the synovial fluid one must hold the poses for a long time to release it from the bones and joints. It is not ideal for kapha types to hold the pose for long periods of time, they benefit from a faster pace yoga that keep them moving, but in moderation, this type of yoga can prove beneficial to release our stored away ojas.