Pitta Dosha is boththe element fire and water — AI Generated art of pitta dosha, both fire and water elements

What is Pitta Dosha?

In Ayurveda, Pitta is one of the three doshas that regulate physiological and psychological characteristics in the body and mind. The three primary doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, each of which has five distinct subdoshas.

Pitta Dosha is the quality of both fire and water. Pitta is all about fierceness. A couple words that describe pitta are:

Sharp
Hot
Light
Intense
Spicy

As we enter into summer we are entering into Pitta season. This is a time when it is typically hot, there’s more excitement and energy around. A lot more heat. This can also manifest in us. Things like:

Heartburn
Skin rashes
Overheating
High blood pressure
Fevers

This is when the pitta dosha is out of balance. When we understand the elements of the season we can navigate our routines to naturally cool us off and balance the excess heat.

The science of Ayurveda dates back 5,000 years

Ayurveda is an ancient science that harmonizes us to nature around us — Ayurveda is an ancient study that harmonizes us together with nature

Previously, it was believed by scientists that our health fate was predetermined by our genes.

If our ancestors had cancer, heart disease, or dementia, it seemed inevitable that we would also suffer from these diseases.

However, it is now understood that genes do not dictate our fate.

Genetic researchers have found that only five percent of gene mutations related to diseases are fully penetrant, meaning having the gene guarantees the development of the disease.

Through our daily lifestyle choices, we have a remarkable ability to influence the activation of the remaining 95 percent of disease-related gene mutations, including genes for Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, and various types of cancer.

Pretty remarkable stuff! Ayurveda is a preventative medicine. Our changes in our daily habits, changes our quality of life.

Rituals to Balance Pitta Dosha

Aromatherapy

Using cooling senses to cool down our systems. Certain scents like:

Sandalwood
Lavender
Ylang Ylang

Breath work

regulating your breath to cool your system — Using Breathwork to cool your system

Using Breath work to release excess heat in the system. There are many different types of breathwork within ayurveda. When we take the moment of pause to connect with our breath, slowing it down, taking deep inhales and deep exhales brings us back to a calmer state.

If you are feeling very hot try inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, almost like a sign. Repeat for 1-2 mins and then return to normal paced breath.

Self Massage

Abhyanga is a powerful way to connect with your body. Yes getting massages can be relaxing and more enjoyable done by someone else. However the reason behind massaging yourself is to connect and feel your body. Giving yourself a loving touch and saying thank you to this body that keeps us alive.

Using abhyanga self massage helps with lymphatic drainage, helping move any static energy causing more heat in the system. Using oils like coconut oil cools the body.

Cool Showers

Cold showers in the summer time — Cold Shower in the Summer time

Taking a cold or lukewarm shower especially after abhyanga helps to cool the system even more. Even if you start with slightly warmer water and gradually move to cooler water. Showering with cooler water is beneficial to the skin, immune system, and nervous system. Make sure you a comfortable with the temperature. There’s no need to make this an ice bath challenge!

Make This Time Into A Ritual

Let’s face it anything can be a ritual, because a ritual is something that you do with intention. Make the intention is to take care of yourself, love yourself, and connect back to the human within.

Enjoy your summer and stay cool!

With Love,

Meera

Cooling Pitta Ritual