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Habits and lifestyle factors that imbalance Pitta
Eating too many hot, spicy, pungent, salty or sour foods; excess meat in the diet; too much alcohol; overanalysing or overworking; overexposure to heat and sun; intense conversations, pushing oneself too hard, emotional trauma, holding emotions in; skipping meals or fasting; exercising outside in the sun in the middle of the day in summer; not rinsing off the saltwater after swimming at the beach in summer.
Environmental effects
Determined high achievers, Pittas do well to spend time in nature connecting with the earth. Winter is the time they will feel their best if they can allow themselves to slow down and enjoy the cooler weather.
KEY Moderation, rest between work, quiet calm atmosphere, meditation, coolness, nature’s beauty
AVOID Skipping meals or overeating, artificial stimulants, too much sun and sauna
BALANCING PITTA
Heat can very easily send Pittas out of balance and although they are often drawn to hot, spicy flavours, they would do well to stay away from these flavours, especially in summer or when they are feeling angry and stressed. When out of balance, the fire rises up and out in the body and can show up as fever, impatience, ulcers, indigestion, skin rashes, headaches and reflux.
Pitta types are attracted to beautiful things and are very focused on making money and acquiring beautiful things. They are hard workers who need to learn how to relax and temper the fire within them before it overwhelms them.
Activities that will calm Pitta
Eating when you are hungry rather than when you are starving, gentle calming exercise, spending time in nature, being by the water, moonlight walks, yoga, dance, non-competitive sports, walking, swimming, gardening, writing, massage with coconut oil as it is cooling, meditation, expressing emotions, getting to bed before 10pm, staying cool, sipping cooling herbal teas.
Cooling remedies – rubbing coconut oil into the skin, chilled rose tea bags over the eyes, cooling the feet
Cooling lifestyle choices – music, meditation, yin yoga, spending time in nature out of the sun, resting by still water
So-called healthy foods that may overheat you – ferments, yoghurt, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut
Lifestyle factors to limit – running in the middle of the day, sunbaking, hot yoga, power yoga, holding in emotions, alcohol, out in the sun without a hat, smoking, saunas
HOW PITTA MANIFESTS IN THE BODY
Hot – Pittas have strong digestive fire which means they can usually eat a lot, and often, and they tend to get quite cross if they try to go without food when they are hungry. They tend to have a higher body temperature than other doshas and can become quite agitated in the heat.
Sharp –They can have pointed sharp teeth either side of their front teeth, and sharp piercing eyes. Their features are strong and distinct, and quite angular. Pittas’ minds are quick and extremely sharp, and they are blessed with a strong memory, but their speech can be cutting. They tend to work in short sharp bursts and can become irritable if overworked. When they suffer from pain it is usually hot and piercing.
Light – Their frame is usually light/medium and, because Pitta rules the eyes, they can also suffer from an intolerance to bright lights. Their skin is light and lustrous.
Liquid – The liquid attribute is demonstrated in the waste products, loose light oily stools, excess sweat and urine. Pittas usually have a greater thirst than other doshas.
Spreading – This can be seen in the form of skin rashes, acne, inflammation and heat that moves in the body. Pitta individuals like to be well known and want their name to be spread all over the world.
Oily – They have soft oily skin and hair. They may find it difficult to digest deep-fried foods.
Sour – Pitta can often experience stomach acid, increased reflux and excess salivation.
Pungent – Often Pittas will experience heartburn, or strong burning feelings both physically and mentally. Their bodies may omit a pungent smell either from the mouth, armpits, feet or faeces.
Bitter –They will often be left with a bitter taste in their mouths following heated exchanges. They tend to have an aversion to bitter flavour. They can be bitter and twisted if they don’t get their own way.
Red – They can have fiery red hair, flushed red skin, nose and cheeks, red rashes, red skin from sunburn. Red will aggravate Pitta.
Emotions and diet
Pitta females who have not learned to temper their fire can struggle with hot flushes and insomnia during perimenopause and menopause, and this is a time when they need to look closely at the way they are managing their emotions and perhaps question if they are being honest with themselves about how they feel. They may also need to alter their diets and remove heating foods and drinks like red wine, hard cheeses and meats to reduce the fire in the body.
Or they may just stuff any negative emotions down as they present a very competent persona to the outside world.
For Pitta dietary recommendations, see the back of the book, pages 242–3 (#litres_trial_promo).
Routine and exercise
One of the biggest challenges for Pitta individuals is to slow down and to see life from another person’s perspective. Fire governs the eyes in the body so they can often be so focused on what they want and need, forgetting to ask what those around may need and instead assuming they know best.
Because Pitta energy governs the years from 18 to 50–55, it is easy for these types to burn out in their middle years of their life as they tend to push themselves beyond their means both physically and mentally.
Pittas need to avoid overheating so exercising in the middle of the day, especially in summer, is a big no-no. Hot yoga, surfing, sunbaking or any physical work in summer in Pitta hours between 10am and 2pm will not serve them well. Because Pittas like to look good, they can become obsessed with exercise and their body shape, and may become frustrated and moody if their exercise regime is disturbed in any way.
KAPHA
Kapha individuals tend to be heavy set and often experience problems with their weight when they are out of balance. They are calm, caring and compassionate and possess incredible stamina. Kaphas have a strong constitution and tend to live longer than the other doshas.
Elements
Elements that dominate this dosha – Water and Earth
Elements that aggravate this dosha – Water and Earth
Elements that calm this dosha – Fire, Air and Space
Tastes that aggravate the dosha – sweet, sour, salty
Tastes that calm the dosha – bitter, pungent, astringent
Time of day
6am–10am and 6pm–10pm. This is the time of day when Kapha will be more obvious in the body and mind.
Time of year
In spring Kapha can be more aggravated in the body. Spring is known as Kapha time (mucus) where we eat light foods, move our body more and shake out any excess weight we have accumulated in winter. This is the season when Kapha types will struggle with respiratory issues, especially a mucus build up; they may struggle losing the extra weight they gained in winter and could even find themselves slipping into depression.
Time of life
0–18 years is the time that Kapha will be more prominent in the body.
Kapha is responsible for compassion, loyalty, patience, forgiveness, body structure (bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments) and stability, lubrication and protection.
KAPHA OUT OF BALANCE
The site of Kapha in the body is the chest, lungs, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth and tongue, bones, plasma and mucus, and this is where Kapha will present more strongly when it is out of balance.
Signs that Kapha is out of balance in the body
Lethargy, laziness, difficulty getting out of bed after a good night’s sleep, feeling unmotivated, or beginning to isolate yourself and withdraw from friends are signs of imbalance. Kaphas may become greedy and attached or might find themselves overeating or eating for comfort, especially sweet or fatty foods. Weight gain, fluid retention, coughs and colds, slow bowel movements, diabetes, oily skin and hair, congestion in the chest and lungs, excess mucus, asthma, excessive sweet cravings and tender breasts before menstruation are other symptoms Kaphas may experience. Enlarged breasts, emotional eating, watery mucousy blood at period time, long heavy flow, depression and moodiness may also present as symptoms. They might also complain of oily stools that sink and feeling that they have not fully emptied their bowls after going to the toilet.
Kapha types are more likely to go out of balance in spring.
Spring/Kapha health issues: Fluid retention, excess mucus, coughs and colds, slow bowel movements, increased body weight, depression.
Habits and lifestyle factors that imbalance Kapha
Eating too many sweet foods (this includes fruit); eating cold, white, damp foods (especially ice-cream, milk and yoghurt); excess dairy in the diet; too much alcohol or sweet drinks; overeating (especially in the evening before bed); overexposure to cold damp environments, lack of exercise, sleeping during the day and going to bed with wet hair and drinking too much liquid be it water or hot drinks; and sitting around doing nothing for long periods at a time.
Out of balance Kapha individuals can be stubborn, possessive and greedy. Kaphas have a strong attachment to money and will often stay in jobs they are unhappy in if they are making good money.
Environmental effects
The amount of water and earth element in their constitution means they have an aversion to cold damp weather, and if exposed to these conditions for long periods of time, they can develop respiratory issues. Kaphas need to be aware of mould and rising damp in their homes and parents may need to place dehumidifiers in children’s rooms during the winter or rainy seasons. Most Kaphas will be much happier and healthier in warmer, drier climates than in cooler, wetter or even humid regions.
KEY Stimulation, variety, good exercise, reduce sweets, stay warm.
AVOID Cold and damp environments, sleeping during the day, sleeping after sunrise, doing nothing, isolation.
BALANCING KAPHA
Activities that will calm Kapha
Vigorous exercise, especially in the morning between 6am–10am, running, cycling, aerobic activity and competitive sports. Learning a new skill, stimulating the mind, changing or varying your daily routine will keep you from feeling stuck and bogged down. Travel, seeking out new friendships and meeting new people – these will get you out of your comfort zone. Have your main meal at lunchtime.
Stimulating remedies – dry brushing or exfoliating self massage with warmed cold pressed sesame oil, energetic exercise that raises a sweat for at least 30 minutes per day (think running, cycling, yoga or hiking) drinking hot water and lemon with a small pinch of cayenne on waking to stimulate digestion, keeping warm, and standing at one’s desk instead of sitting.
Stimulating lifestyle choices – listening to music or audio that stimulates the mind, walking rather than driving, socialising instead of choosing to be alone.
So-called healthy foods that may increase the mucus and dampness in the body – yoghurt, cheese, bananas, smoothies, acai bowls, chilled drinks, fruit juices, green smoothies.
HOW KAPHA MANIFESTS IN THE BODY
Heavy – Kaphas have heavy bones with solid frames, bulky muscles and can be overweight, they have calm deep voices and are usually quite grounded in mind and body.
Slow/Dull – They can tend to be slow to react, they walk and speak slowly, and only speak after allowing time to think about what they are going to say. Kaphas have a sluggish metabolism.
Cool – They have cold clammy skin, they often get a cold, cough or congestion, and they are drawn to cooling sweet foods.
Oily – They have soft oily skin, hair and faeces and well-lubricated joints.
Liquid – Kaphas tend to have a problem with fluid retention, congestion in their chest, nose and throat, and excess mucus; this can be very obvious in young children with runny noses.
Smooth – Blessed with soft smooth alabaster like skin and a smooth calm nature.
Dense – This quality ensures Kaphas have thick hair, nails, skin and muscles.
Soft – They have soft doe-like eyes and a very soft caring nature, which makes them extremely forgiving.
Static – This unfortunately can make them very happy sitting around, sleeping for long periods of time.
Sticky – They can have a tendency to become quite attached to things they care about.
Cloudy – Kaphas can have a foggy mind in the morning, they can also take a while to understand things at the best of times.
Hard – This quality gives the firm muscles and strength in both mind and body.
Gross – Kaphas can suffer from fatty tissue, blockages and obesity.
Sweet – These people have a sweet nature, and are also drawn to sweet foods that can cause them to become unbalanced.
Salty – Salty taste will assist in digestion, however, too much salt can lead to fluid retention and this can often be a problem for Kaphas.
White – Kaphas have a pale complexion, they love white food especially dairy.
Lifestyle factors to limit – Too much sitting, excess exposure to damp and cold, lying around watching movies for extended periods and spending too much time alone.
Emotions and diet
Kaphas move slowly, speak slowly and don’t like being forced into making quick decisions. They have stable minds and a solid sense of self, but out of balance they can struggle with long episodes of depression and melancholy. These are very private individuals and often suffer alone, making everyone’s problems more important than their own. Kaphas’ first step in addressing their emotions is admitting to what they are feeling, as they often minimise their emotions or laugh them off. Giving themselves permission to cry or show their vulnerability to those they trust is a big thing for Kaphas, who tend to soldier on regardless.
Kapha types love sweet foods and will be the people who crave ice-cream or a sweet treat after dinner. Indulging in habits like this will only lead to weight gain, excess mucus and negative feelings about themselves.
For food that suits Kaphas, see the charts at the back of the book, pages 244–5 (#litres_trial_promo).
Routine and exercise
For Kapha types to lead balanced lives, they need to challenge themselves and get out of their comfort zones. Often found talking about wanting to begin an exercise or weight-loss program, they need to just start. Once they start something they are the most dedicated and consistent of all the doshas and blessed with strong bodies that have great endurance.
They are natural earth mothers and some may find it difficult to let their children grow up and lead independent lives. Kaphas need to spend more time focusing on themselves and less on others.
Ayurveda is the science that indicates the appropriate and inappropriate, happy or sorrowful conditions of living, what is auspicious or inauspicious for longevity, as well as the measure of life itself.
–Charaka Samhita 1.41
STAGES OF LIFE AND AYURVEDIC SEASONS
It is not only food that affects our constitutions; the environment, time of day, time of year and the weather also have an effect. Certain elements are more dominant in our body at certain times of our lives, to the point where they can dominate or strongly affect our health. These phases (also known as stages) are also named, a little confusingly, as doshas. So you could be a Vata dosha going through a Kapha phase of life in Pitta weather (summer). See more about seasonal eating in The Ayurvedic approach to health chapter (pages 42–6 (#ulink_ea6340c8-56b6-5938-9919-d19c55b839b5)). If you are a blend of doshas or tridoshic (a balance of all three) this could become even more complicated, especially if you are cooking for a family with mixed doshas.
These stages of life are described beautifully in ancient Ayurvedic texts.
Kapha stage: 0 to 18 years – Student
Pitta stage: 18 to 50–55 years – Householder
