Burn out.
Its my karmic lesson to remember to slow down.
I learn. Then I rinse and repeat. Sound familiar?
The wash may look a little different each time, but my fire always gets the best of me. I get too excited about life and want to do everything to it’s fullest. Then my schedule fills up and I find myself still working and studying into the wee hours of the night. Not only does my mental and physical health take the brunt of my fire but also my dearest relationships.
I thank Ayurveda for finding me everyday. Otherwise I would be a burnt up mess. Ayurveda has taught me that I need to have strong work boundaries, time in nature everyday, go to bed early, and keep empty space in my calendar.
It’s a daily practice to be as cool as a cucumber and to keep my Pitta Dosha in check.
Here is more context around these samskrita words, ‘Dosha’ and ‘Pitta’.
The Doshas
Ayurveda sees the world through the 5 elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether. These are the fundamental energies that create the universe. Everything, from your neighbor to your computer, to the trees outside are made up of these elements. Nothing could exist without them.
Ayurveda takes these elements and categorizes them into 3 Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
• Vata is made up of Air and Ether element
•Pitta made up of Fire and Water element
•Kapha made up of Water and Earth element
Together, these three Doshas are the physiological energies of the body that are responsible for all biological and psychological functions. It is the interplay between these Doshas that is responsible for our body type, functionality, and personality.
Pitta Dosha
Pitta is created by the elements of Fire and Water, however, mostly Fire. The word Pitta in samskrita means “bile.” When you think of Pitta, think heat in both body and mind.
Pitta governs temperature, metabolism, digestion, and all chemical reactions in the body. Fire brings the quality of heat, transformation, illumination, while the Water adds smoothness and fluidity. Overall, Pitta brings intelligence, focus, discernment to the mind and shows in an overall moderate, muscular body structure.
Together, Fire and Water are hot, light, slightly oily, and sharp. When Pitta is balanced these qualities are balanced in the mind and body.
Pitta Natural Physical Characteristics
• Angular face shape
• Medium, deep set eyes
• Facial energy is intense, passionate
• Fine hair, medium thickness, may bald early in life
• Physique is moderate, proportionate, and muscular
• Skin is slightly oily with moles
• Teeth are medium in size, may be yellow in color
• Lips are medium thickness
• Fingers are medium length with a square palm
• Speech pattern is direct, concise, and clear
• Strong digestion
Pitta Balanced Emotional Characteristics
• Powerful intellect
• Strong ability to concentrate
• Good decision makers
• sharp-witted
• Focused
• Goal setter
• Courageous
• Organized
• Confident
• Strong leadership qualities
• Disciplined
• Logical
Signs of Pitta Imbalance
When Pitta qualities have increased in the body and mind, symptoms occur but may not yet be a diagnosed disease:
• Indigestion
• Acid Reflux
• Diarrhea
• Hot tempered
• Argumentative
• Inflammation in the body
• Intense personality
• Skin rashes
• Resentful
• highly critical
• Yellowing of skin, nails and eyes
• overly competitive
• needs attention
• Excessive body odor
• Bad breath
• judgemental
• jealous
• Excessive sweating
Diseases Caused by Pitta Imbalance
When the Pitta symptoms are not addressed at an earlier stage it can lead to Pitta type diagnosed diseases. Here are some examples:
• Hepatitis/ liver disorders
• Ulcers
• Hyperthyroidism
• Jaundice
• Reddened Acne
• Gastritis
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Kidney infection
• Intense menstruation
• Endometriosis
• Diverticulitis
• Dermatitis
Home practices for Balancing Pitta
Ayurveda teaches us that the opposite qualities bring the Dosha back into balance. These remedies are bringing in heavy, moist, cool, soft and solid qualities to balance Pitta.
• Pitta motto: Less is more
• Eat foods that are naturally bitter, astringent, and sweet
• Gratitude journaling
• Mindful exercise – go up to 80% effort, not 100%
• Avoid hot sauce (yes, I know)
• Practice meditation daily
• Accept Self in the present moment- nothing to fix
• Cool down – in the summer find shade to sit under and water to swim in
• Use cooling aromas such as Geranium, Jasmine, Sandalwood, Cedarwood,
Vetiver, Lang Lang
• Get into nature
• Avoid intake of alcohol, coffee, heavy meats, and fried foods
• Listen to calm and relaxing music
• Keep empty space in your calendar
• Wear cooling colors such as blue, lavender, and brown
• Yoga asana poses: twists, laterals, forward folds
Can you see how my heated, driven, focused mind is an imbalance of Pitta Dosha? Every time I witnessed the hot, light, slightly oily, and sharp qualities increase very clearly in my behaviors and physiology. With the wisdom of Ayurveda I know exactly how to keep my Pitta balanced and my life more harmonious and calm. No more wild fires!
Remember, we are made up of ALL the elements. It’s a universal rule. Everything and everyone is made up of air, ether, fire, water and earth. Therefore, even if you are experiencing a predominance of Pitta Dosha (fire and water), you still have kapha Dosha (water and earth) and Vata Dosha (air and ether). Ayurveda is the art of balancing your Doshas by addressing the root cause, ultimately decreasing the symptoms, and bringing you more harmony and health into your life.
To balance your fire, try this refreshing drink:
Mint Aloe Bliss Recipe
In a blender mix:
2TBS Inner Fillet Aloe Juice
1 medium cucumber
2 sprigs of Mint
Juice 1/2 of a lime
optional: 1 slice of fresh ginger
1tps honey (substitute: monk fruit or stevia)
Strain and Enjoy!
May these words, in some way, support you on your healing journey.
