Ayuvedic wisdom — are you a pitta?
Pitta Dosha
By Claire Gunzel
In Aurveda, “Pitta,” refers to the aggravation of Bile in Tibetan medicine. In actuality, Pitta constitution is made of fire and water. When imbalanced the, “fault,” or “dosha,” becomes evident.
This essay will seek to define what balance and imbalance means for the Pitta and give remedy to the Pitta Dosha. The goal of this Tibetan practice of Ayurveda, as well as with Yoga, is to create balance and wholeness within an individual.
Characteristics of Pitta
The fire of a candle or the fire in a fireplace may be seen; however, the bodily heat, which manifests as metabolism is not visible in this way. Pitta governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism, body temperature, skin coloration, the luster of the eyes, intelligence and understanding. The small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, fat, eyes and skin are the seats of pitta. The corresponding Chakra associated with Pitta is the Manipura Chakra, or Solar Chakra.
Pitta represents the union between fire and water, or rather the Tibetan translation as bile refers to its hot, oily nature. The Pitta predominant person tends to have sharp facial features, sharp intellect. They are generally of medium build and have strong appetites and digestion. They are ambitious people who generally like to be leaders and represent hot, oily, dispersing, sharp mobile and liquid qualities due to the strength of their digestive fire or, “agni,”.
Pitta Dosha
Unbalanced pitta shows lack of interest in life, anxiety, depression, negative thinking and mental dullness. In addition, hormone and enzyme secretions are disturbed. Within their social lives they may easily be frustrated or angered. Spicy and acidic foods often fuel this fiery side to their normally witty intellect. Psychologically, they do have a tendency toward anger, hate and jealousy. Simply because of the sheer capacity they have for creating change, good or not so good, internally (metabolism, hormones, enzymes) it is incredibly important for them to slow down and not over-exert themselves and to eat foods which instead cool these bodily processes down.
Substances, climate and lifestyle choices having properties similar to the pitta dosha will aggravate this energy, whereas those with the opposite qualities will calm it down. An excessive intake of any of the following will prevent pitta dosha from performing its normal functions: hot, spicy or sour foods, fried, oily, fermented, stale and “fast” food, artificial colorings and flavorings, sour or unripe fruits and alcoholic drinks.
Other lifestyle factors that aggravate pitta include exposure to sun, hot weather, indoor heat, chemicals, corrosives and strenuous exercises. In addition, mental tensions, austerities, fighting, fasting, cruelty, competition and greed can cause the pitta energy to become unbalanced.
Remedy For Pitta Dosha
In regard to nutrition:
The Pitta diet emphasizes sweet, cool and juicy items, which Ayurvedic practitioners believe keeps the pitta dosha in balance. A pitta diet should be high in fresh plant foods and low in meat and seafood. Optimal food choices for a pitta diet include all varieties of beans, coconut products, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, vegetables and raw salads, sweet, juicy fruits, grains such as wheat, barley, rice and oats and oils made from coconut, soy or sunflower. Allowable spices include cardamom, coriander, dill, lemongrass, mint, rose, cumin, fennel and turmeric. Cool drinks such as coconut milk, cold water, fruit juice and vegetable juice are embraced on a pitta diet.
In regard to lifestyle and yoga practice:
Pitta individuals should perform gentle yoga poses upon awakening, meditate to regain a sense of peace and balance, wear light-hued clothing rather than red and yellow shades and engage in relaxing activities such as swimming and walking in nature. As far as the style of yoga which best suits Pitta, here are some recommendations…
-Have fun in your poses. Do not take yourself or your pose too seriously.
-Enjoy movement in your poses.
-Soften your gaze downward, at the horizon or even practice with your eyes closed.
-Allow freedom and creativity in your practice. Change it up. Avoid sticking to one style or series of poses.
-Practice in a moderately cool space.
-Focus on the yoga experience in your body, not your brain.
-Work at 80% effort.
-Avoid being judgmental and critical of yourself.
-Remind yourself that yoga is not a competition.
-Use your exhalation to let go and release any built up anger, frustration, stress.
-Practice plenty of twists and side body openers.
-Remind yourself that less is more!
This article was written by Claire Gunzel, a recent graduate of the Feel Good yoga teacher training program.
Posted: February 21st, 2012 under Teacher Training, Yoga.
Tags: aryuveda, aryuvedic wisdom, dosha, pitta dosha, yoga teacher training
Comments: none

