There is a focus in our culture on the physical body. We believe if we simply eat good and move the body, we will have good health and be free of disease. We are  surprised when the physically healthy person gets sick or has a heart attack. That happens because of the mind. The mind is very powerful at manifesting disease.

The body is smart. If you experience pain in the body, you will move away from it. Imagine placing your finger on a hot stove. You learn quickly to not touch things that are hot. The mind, however, is manipulative. Imagine you stay up late watching a thriller. You go to bed and are anxious and worried. You have bad dreams and sleep poorly. The next morning, you may not even associate staying up late and watching a violent movie with your situation. You choose to watch another scary movie in the future anyway.

We do this with food, drink, jobs, relationships and more. We convince ourselves we can handle anything and stuff away the consequences of our choice making for the mind. We end up sick in the body because you are one energy field. The choice-making is going to manifest somewhere. The stress is going to come out and it frequently comes out as disease.

So, critical to your success is calming and pacifying the heated energy of the Pitta mind. Let’s begin with routine.

Lifestyle Choices to Pacify Pitta or the Fire:

  • Arise daily between 5 and 6 am. Use this time for yourself and spend it in silence. Pittas tend to sleep soundly and only need around 6 hours of sleep.
  • When you get out of bed, evacuate the bowels.
  • Drink a glass of water upon rising or 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice.
  • Take a daily dose of Amalaki (found in Triphala), Flax Oil and Chavanprash (for heart and hair)
  • Brush your teeth with Neem toothpaste.
  • Swish your mouth with licorice tea.
  • Scrape your tongue with a tongue scraper.
  • Wash your face with neem soap and then massage Coconut or Brahmi Oil on your face. This will facilitate meditation and is good for the skin.
  • Place a few drops of Nasya or Sesame or Brahmi Oil in each nostril
  • Meditate for 20 – 40 minutes. This is critical to reducing the noise in the mind.
  • Practice hatha yoga with a 20 minute Shavasana or resting period.
  • Incorporate silence into your day. Avoid TVs, radios, cell-phones, and excessive talking.
  • Go for a walk every single day in nature. Pitta loves to be outdoors
  • Experience a full body oil massage daily before or after bathing. Use Coconut Oil as it is most cooling.
  • Meditate again at night before bed.
  • Spend some time in self-study and reflection through journaling.
  • Be in bed by 10 pm.
  • Sleep well.
  • Manage work related Stress (this works for family stress too) as below….

Pittas suffer enormously at work if they have bosses that do not empower. Minimize and manage your stress at work by incorporating the following into your mind and environment:

  • Arrive at work before rush hour and before coworkers. Use this time to quietly organize your day and make plans.
  • Cool down your environment. Hang pictures of ocean scenes, buy a fish for your desk and bring in plants. If you listen to music, choose sounds of the ocean or nature to quietly play in the background.
  • If you are able to close your door at work, do so.
  • Go for a walk outside at lunchtime. Get away from all coworkers.
  • Relinquish your need to be right. Have three working plans in your mind and flexibility around those plans. If someone makes a suggestion that fits into one of your plans, accept it.
  • Drive home in silence and let your mind play out the events of the day. Simply observe them as if you are a witness. As emotions arise, simply notice them in a clinical and non-judgmental way. Be the observer.
  • When you come home from work, greet your family with hugs and tell them you are going to take 15 minutes to unwind. Go to a secluded spot and lie down in Shavasana for ten minutes. Rest, relax and let your day go so that you can enjoy your family.
  • If your family greets you at the door with their troubles, just let them talk. Relinquish the need to provide advice and solutions. They just want to talk and get it out. Just listen and let it go.
  • You do love routine. Take time to schedule time for yourself daily. You require physical movement and solitude each day. Couple these needs with your love of the outdoors.

PIttas and Exercise

Exercise is a necessary component to health. It clears the energy channels as well as the physical and emotional nature of the body and mind. Regular exercise reduces stress levels including anxiety and releases “happy hormones” like endorphins.

Pittas need to move and crave an intense workout. Pittas are drawn to powerful sports like vigorous biking, hiking and weight lifting. Pittas enjoy a vigorous yoga practice that includes long holds and lots of down dogs. This is wonderful for Pitta and highly encouraged. It helps to get the emotional stress of the day out and clears the mind.

The only caution is that Pitta should spend plenty of time cooling down. A 10 – 15 minute rest period after intense exercise is a must to bring the heated energy back to balance. Pittas also need to focus on Self-Care. Can you find one gentle and nourishing yoga practice to go to each week to relieve stress in the mind and to learn to release?

I hope this is helpful, Pamela

*The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have any serious acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. Check with your doctor before taking herbs or using essential oils when pregnant or nursing.