Eduardo Sasso

Tech and lifestyle

The Doshas: Pitta

What Are The Doshas?

The doshas are part of an ancient medical system known as Ayurveda. This entirely holistic approach has been practiced for over 5000 years and is still going strong. In this tradition there are three body types or constitutions; 

  1. Vata
  2. Pitta 
  3. Kapha – also known as the doshas

Each dosha is composed of the five elements responsible for the chemistry of the entire universe; air, fire, water, earth, and ether (space). Each individual has his/her own unique combination of the doshas, known as Prakriti. It heavily influences the individual’s mental, physical and emotional characteristics. 

Pitta

The combination of fire and water creates pitta. This polarity is an important aspect of pitta as it produces an energy of transformation. The energy is neither moving nor still, but like fire and water, it spreads. Pitta controls our enzymes and neurotransmitters, turning impulses from our nervous system into thoughts and actions. It is also responsible for converting food into energy, and conscious thought into reality. 

Physical Characteristics 

  • Pitta is not lean like Vata or heavy like Kapha; it exists in between the two, constituting a sturdy, muscular body type. 
  • Those who are predominately Kapha are likely to have a strong, athletic build, and the ability to maintain a healthy weight with ease. 
  • They will be fond of physical activity and have a healthy appetite. 

Mental Characteristics

  • Pittas make excellent leaders as they have good concentration, a quick mind, and assertive energy. 
  • They take in information like a sponge and are even quicker to respond with their opinion. Pittas show extraordinary commitment to both their relationships and to their goals. 
  • Fond of competition, Pitta will try their best in any situation they find themselves in, and will often be picked first for school sporting events. 
  • They thrive on achievements, which means they are also prone to being self-critical and controlling. 
  • If unbalanced, pittas can be over-controlling, judgemental, perfectionists, over-competitive, close-minded and aggressive. 
  • Pittas can become unbalanced if they do not believe themselves to be reaching their goals – or if they become too hot and bothered. 

How To Balance Pitta

•    Keep food light and fresh. Avoid oily foods, spicy foods or large, hot meals. Use herbs like peppermint, coriander, and fennel.

•    Stay away from aggression and competition. Fire feeds the fire!

•    Practice compassion. We should all be doing this, but pittas can find it hard to stay open-minded when they become irritable

•    Balance rest and activity. Be careful not to over-fill your days or create unnecessary time pressures for yourself. 

•    Surround yourself with fresh colors. When picking an outfit, or choosing colors for a room, opting for silver, greens and blues could be all it takes to provide relief from stress.

•    Keep the body and mind cool by practicing slow breathing techniques.

Nutrition For Pitta

•    Reduce the consumption of sour fruits such as; apricots, grapefruits, and berries.

•    Avoid very spicy foods. Instead, choose cooling spices. For example, coriander, saffron, cilantro, and fennel, are all great for calming the Pitta fire. 

•    Dairy can help to reduce the fiery heat of Pitta

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