Pacifying Excessive Pitta (fire) in the Body - by Meggan Brummer

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

Recognising a Pitta Person!

If the above description sounds a lot like you, it is possible that you are what
Ayurveda (the Ancient Indian Science of Wellbeing) would refer to as having a
‘predominately pitta-type’ constitution. Of course, to find out whether or not you are,
you would best consult an Ayurvedic practitioner.

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!

The Yoga Asanas

Whilst most yoga asanas have a wonderful effect on the body and mind, balancing
the doshas, certain postures such as headstands, doing yoga in heated rooms or direct
sunlight and very strong, fast yoga vinyasas, (set of flowing movements), can be too
stimulating for those with high pitta. Preferable postures for pitta people work on the
umbilical area and small intestine.3 Practiced on an empty stomach, for 10 to 15
minutes, the following asanas are a good way to keep excess pitta at bay. You can
either practice holding each pose, in their order, for up to five breaths, or as a slow
vinyansa, synchronising each asana with one breath.

Before you begin the Asanas

Always begin your practice with a warm-up. Be as creative as you like, just make
sure you loosen each and every joint in the body. Once warmed up, you can close
your eyes, standing still, and take your awareness to your breath. If you are breathing
heavily, allow your breath to return to normal before beginning the asanas.

Shashankasana – Child’s Pose

Sit on your heels with the palms of your hands on your thighs, head and your spine
straight. Close your eyes and relax. Inhale and raise your arms above your head. As
you exhale, bend the top half of your body forward from the hips. Stretch your arms
out so that they rest shoulder-width apart on the ground in front of you. Rest your
forehead on the floor in front of your knees. You can bend your arms slightly so that
they are fully relaxed. Hold this position for up to a minute, building towards
holding it comfortably for at least three.

Shashankasana helps to calm an overactive mind common amongst headache

sufferers and high pitta types, gently bringing fresh blood and oxygen to the head,
calming and soothing frayed nerves. It is also great for calming anger, inducing an
overall sense of well-being and a peaceful state of mind.

Note: those with very high blood pressure, slipped disc or vertigo should not practice
this asana.

Bhujangasana – Cobra Pose

Lie down on your stomach. Relax completely. Place your hands under your
shoulders so that your palms are resting flat against the ground, chin on the ground.
Take a deep breath and slowly raise your head and chest off the ground, moving
slowly enough so that you can feel each vertebra arching back, looking up. Keep the
arms bent and elbows tucked in close to the side of your body. Take a few slow, long
breaths whilst holding this position and then, very gently lower your body to the
ground as you breathe out. Relax.
Repeat Shashankasana – Child’s Pose

Salabhasana - Locust Pose

Lie on your stomach with your legs together and place your chin on the ground.
Close your eyes and relax your body. Fold your thumbs into the palms of your hands
and make a fist by wrapping your fingers around the thumbs. Place your hands
underneath your body. You may need to shuffle around a bit to find a comfortable
position for your hands. Now raise your legs, as high as you can, keeping your ankles
together, legs straight, breathing long, deep breaths. Hold this position for up to 5
breaths and then relax the legs down to the ground as you exhale. Move your arms
out from beneath you and relax with your head to one side. Repeat salabhasana 3
times, relaxing in shashankasana in between.

Note: Those suffering from a weak heart, hernia, peptic ulcer or high blood pressure
should not attempt this asana.

Repeat Shashankasana – Child’s Pose

Dhanurasana - Bow Pose

Lie on your stomach. Bend your knees and bring your feet towards your buttocks
until you can hold of your feet. Take a deep breath in as you lift your feet and head,
looking forwards. Breathe gently but deeply for up to 5 breaths. Relax downwards as
you breathe out. Rest with your legs straight and your head to one side, arms by the
side of your body, palms facing the sky. Relax deeply after Dhanurasana to fully
absorb the benefits of the asana.

Repeat Shashankasana – Child’s Pose

Gupta Padmasana - Hidden lotus

Sit in Padmasana (lotus pose). Place your hands on the floor in front of your knees.
Leaning on the arms, raise the buttocks and come up onto your knees. Slowly lower
your body to the ground, coming into prone position. Rest either the chin or one
cheek on the floor.
Place the palms of your hands together behind your back. Your fingers may point
downwards or upwards. If possible, touch the back of the head with the middle
fingers. Close your eyes and relax your whole body. Hold the position for as long as
is comfortable.

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.

Repeat Shashankasana – Child’s Pose

Shavasana - Corpse Pose

Lie on your back. Spread your feet about 10 inches apart. Rest your arms about six
inches from your sides, palms facing upwards, body symmetrical. Close your eyes
and relax. Keep your attention on your breath. Do not try to alter your breath, just
keep observe it. Relax in this position for a few moments before and between each of
the follow asanas.

Ardha Navasana - Half Boat Pose

Lift you head and shoulders, looking towards your feet and keeping your chin close to
your chest. Lift your legs so that they are about one foot off the ground and keep
your arms by the side of the body, parallel to the ground. Hold for up to five long
breaths, depending on your personal capacity. And finally, exhale as you gently
lower your body down to the ground.

Relax in Shavasana

Paripurna Navasana (Full Boat Pose)

Repeat the preparations for half boat, but this time, bring the body and legs higher up,
forming a triangular shape with the body. Use the abdominal muscles, holding the
asana for up to five long breaths and exhaling when you lower your body down.
Relax in Shavasana

Ardha Setu Bandhasana - Half wheel

Lie down on your back, with your body in a straight line. Bend your legs, bringing
your heels as close to your buttocks as you can. Make sure that your feet are flat on
the ground. If possible, take hold of your ankles with your hands; otherwise, rest your
hands, palms facing upwards, on the ground beside your body. Take a deep breath in
as you gently lift the middle portion of your body off the ground. Keep breathing as
you hold the asana for a few seconds. On an exhalation, gradually lower your body to
the ground.

Supta Pawanmuktasana - Head to knees

Hug both your knees to your chest. Take a long deep breath in and as you breathe
out, lift your head to your knees and squeeze your legs. Hold for up to five breaths
and then relax.

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.

Easier Alternative to Sarvangasana

Sit next to a wall, side on. Lie down and swivel your body around so that your
buttocks are as close as possible to the wall. Straighten your legs up the wall and rest
your arms by the side of your body, palms to the sky and eyes closed. Either stay
here, or move to the next stage by bending your legs and pushing the souls of your
feet into the wall so that your back and buttocks begin to lift away from the ground.
Now you are in a half-shoulderstand pose. Place your hands under your lower back
for support and hold the pose for up to 5 breaths, relaxing out of the pose on an
exhalation.

Relax in Shavasana

Matsyasana - Fish Pose

Lie down on your back, close the eyes and relax your whole body. Place your hands
underneath your buttocks, palms facing downwards. Pull your elbows together, as
close to your spine as possible. Using the support of your elbows, press them into the
ground and lift your back and neck off the ground. Arch your back and expand the
chest, keeping the top of your head on the ground and legs straight. Consciously relax
the body in this position, allowing the head, buttocks and legs to support the weight of
your body. Breathe slowly and deeply, holding matsyasana for up to 5 breaths.
Coming out of the pose, press your elbows into the ground, lift your head off the
ground and then relax onto your back.

Relax in Shavasana
Repeat Supta Pawanmuktasana and then relax in Shavasana

Food and Drink

Food: Food and drinks are an integral part of Ayurvedic healing. Foods can either
reduce or induce pitta in the body. In order to reduce excess pitta in the body, it may
be beneficial to observe these guidelines:

• Avoid sweet and spicy foods

• Avoid tomatoes, chillies, raw onions, sour foods, pickles and yoghurt
 • Reduce sugar intake. If or when you use sugar, prefer to unrefined, dark
brown sugar
• If you do eat sweets, eat them before and not after your meal
• Avoid cashew nuts, peanuts and highly salted snacks
• If you have almonds, soak them for a few hours first, don’t add salt to them,
peel them before eating and then chew them very well
• Avoid all citrus fruits except mosambi
• Boil or steam rather than fry vegetables
• Avoid bread, bakery products, anything made from processed flour. (Bread
contains yeast and yeast increases pitta).
• Avoid papaya, especially in the summer months as it increases pitta. Papaya
warms and sweetens and is used in Ayurveda to treat a wide variety of
conditions including impaired agni (fire). Papaya is aggravating to pitta types.
• Avoid meat, especially red meat and salted fish. As most meats are either too
fatty or heat producing, pitta types are best suited to a totally vegetarian diet4
• Avoid fasting. Fasting is generally not encouraged for pitta types but fine if
done for only half a day on fruit and water.

Recommended when one’s pitta is very high…

• 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

Drink recipes to reduce pitta

Recipe 1
Rose Petals and Pearls: Soak rose petals or pearls in water overnight and then drink
the liquid the next day.
Recipe 2
Sandalwood: Sandalwood has a cooling effect on the whole system. Either you can
wear a sandalwood mala or necklace around your neck or bracelet on your wrist, or,
take a teaspoon of sandalwood powder and add it to a glass of water. Drinking this
will cool your system.

Other Useful Tips to cool Pitta

• Wear jewellery made from coral

• Take a cold shower or a cool bath
• Meditate in the moonlight
• Meditate every morning and evening for at least 10 minutes at a time

What not to do!

Being aware of what not to do to create or aggravate a pitta imbalance is useful -

• Engaging in frustrating activities

• Exercising at the hottest time of day
• Wearing tight, heat retaining clothes
• Using drugs, especially cocaine, speed or marijuana
• Avoiding cool fresh peaceful places
• Repressing your feelings
• Mixing with highly stressed people
• Sunbaking
• Not getting enough sleep5

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)