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You are rather wise, even brilliant perhaps and you love both gaining and sharing
knowledge. You really enjoy a bit of competition. In fact sometimes you’re a tad too
competitive and could benefit from learning to play for enjoyment rather than to win!
With your intelligence, strength, drive, determination, ambition and enterprising
nature, you make a fabulous leader and communicator. Often using strong
vocabulary to speak your mind, you love a good debate. You like to read before you
go to bed and sometimes fall sleep with a book on your chest. On the not so positive
side you have a reasonable memory and a tendency towards being stubborn, jealous
and self-centred, with an inkling towards perfectionism and idealism. Physically, you
have sharp facial features, an athletic, medium, fairly muscular build, with good
muscular strength and tend to be fairly flexible. Unfortunately, you also have a
tendency towards premature hair loss and headaches. You are sensitive to the sun
and love cool weather. You have a strong metabolism, good digestion, a strong
appetite and like plenty of food and liquids. You love hot spices and cold drinks. You
sleep well and of medium duration. You tend to get diseases involving the fire
principle such as fevers, inflammatory diseases and jaundice. Common symptoms
include skin rashes, burning sensation, ulceration, fever, inflammations or irritations
such as conjunctivitis, colitis, or sore throats.1
Imbalanced Pitta
According to Ayurveda, the body is made up of three elements or doshas: vata (air
and ether), kapha (water and earth) and pitta (fire with a little water). Most people’s
bodies are a combination of two of these elements, although the predominant element
can change from time to time. Pitta expresses as the body's metabolic system. It
governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body
temperature. If there is too much fire in the body then one could be said to have
excess pitta. People with pitta dosha are vivacious, smart and determined. If pitta is
balanced they tend to be warm, understanding and intelligent. Excessive Pitta can
however, create irritability, jealousy and aggressiveness2 and is usually characterised
by uncomfortable signs/symptoms such as hyperacidity, reflex, ulcers in mouth, cold
sore, dandruff, diarrhoea, bleeding, burning sensation, red rashes, etc.
Since the attributes of pitta are oily, hot, light, mobile, and liquid, an excess of any of
these qualities aggravates pitta. In order to reduce pitta, we can increases vata and
kapha through various cooling effects. Not only are certain yoga poses especially
helpful in reducing pitta, but various Ayurvedic food recipes and lifestyle habits also
play their role. This article will take a look at what we can do to reduce this excess
heat and cool the system.
Yoga
It is not unusual, when practicing yoga asanas, (poses) for pitta-types to push
themselves too hard, becoming irritable or angry if they are unable to ‘perform’ the
asanas correctly. With their competitive edge, they may tend to stick to the poses
they feel they have ‘accomplished’. Pittas can benefit most from the cooling and
calming effects of a slower, more focussed asana practice. It will help if they can
learn to develop flexibility and softness, harnessing their strong will into a gentler
attitude and thereby releasing rather than forcing themselves into yoga poses.
Afterall, the quickest way to progress in yoga is to go slowly and gently, surrendering
to the subtle experience of the asanas, mindfully practicing the asanas with ease,
steadiness and joy!
Note: those with very high blood pressure, slipped disc or vertigo should not practice
this asana.
Note: Those suffering from a weak heart, hernia, peptic ulcer or high blood pressure
should not attempt this asana.
Return to the starting position, cross the legs the other way and repeat the asana.
Gupta Padmasana is often used as a relaxation pose as it induces peace, stability and
emotional balance and also calms pitta. For complete relaxation, the hands may rest
on the floor beside the body with the palms upward.
Relax in Shavasana
Repeat Ardha Setu Bandhasana and Supta Pawanmuktasana two more times,
alternatively and then relax in Shavasana.
Sarvangasana - Shoulderstand
If you have not practiced sarvangasana before, then first do it under the guidance of a
yoga teacher. If this asana is not practiced correctly you may hurt yourself.
Lying on your back, close your eyes, bend your legs and bring your knees close to
your chest. Placing your hands on your lower back for support, begin to lift your
lower back and legs, moving them upwards, and straightening your legs. Make sure
the weight of your body is resting on your arms and shoulders and not on your neck.
To reduce any pressure on the neck you can place a folded blanket under the upper
back and shoulders, keeping the head on the ground. Hold sarvangasana for up to 5
breaths.
Relax in Shavasana
Relax in Shavasana
Repeat Supta Pawanmuktasana and then relax in Shavasana
• Eat for breakfast mung beans that have been soaked until they sprout
• Chew licorice plant stems
• Eat pomegranates
Drinks
• Avoid drinking hot milk
• Avoid alcohol
• Drink more water
1. http://www.crystalinks.com/ayurveda.html
2. Perfect Health, Deepak Chopra
3. Ayurvedic Beauty Care, pg 81
4. Ayurvedic Beauty Care, pg 43
5. (Ref: The Ayurvedic Cookbook, pg 20)