Pitta types tend to have the best focus and determination of the three Ayurvedic types. As yoga practitioners, they’re able to maintain a very disciplined practice once oriented correctly, due to their innate physical and mental qualities. First, however, pittas must understand their strengths and limitations. In general, pitta individuals tend to overheat and become irritable and may even lack the patience to begin a yoga practice. Because of their determination, they may overdo postures, becoming aggressive with themselves, and they tend stick to poses they can do well while ignoring the ones that they are most in need of developing further.
According to Ayurveda pitta types will do best with a practice that fosters equilibrium. Pittas should perform asanas that are cooling, nurturing, expansive, and relaxing. This type of practice requires slow, deep breathing and quiet sitting between strong asanas, releasing any stress that has developed. This doesn’t mean that pittas should totally avoid challenging poses, but if they do practice such poses, they should make sure to compensate for any heat created by ending with cooling postures and pranayama.
People with an imbalance in the pitta dosha tend to suffer from excess heat in their bodies. Poses that extend the solar plexus (where pitta resides) help dissipate heat, calming and cooling the body; however, it’s important not to fall for the temptation to cool pitta indiscriminately—our bellies should always be warm, but our heads, cool. Pitta types tend to be good at most asanas but their relatively compact bones make it hard for them to do some poses that rangy vata types find easy.
In general, a pitta person’s yoga practice should cool the head and blood, calm the heart, and relieve tension, fostering compassion, acceptance, and relaxation. It should achieve these ends through unforced effort. Pittas can cultivate this type of practice by following some basic guidelines:
Have fun in your poses. Do not take yourself or your pose too seriously.
Enjoy movement in your poses.
Soften your gaze downward, focus on the horizon, or even practice with your eyes closed.
Allow freedom and creativity in your practice. Change it up. Avoid sticking to one style or series of poses.
Practice in a moderately cool space. You do not want to get cold, but pittas should avoid practicing in overheated spaces.
Focus on the yoga experience in your body, not your brain.
Work at 80 percent effort.
Avoid being judgmental and critical of yourself.
Make sure you have plenty of practice space.
Remind yourself that yoga is not a competition.
Focus on your exhalation.
Use the exhalation to let go and release any built-up anger, frustration, stress, etc.
Be aware of your breath in the back of your body.
Practice plenty of twists and side-body openers.
Notice the position of your ribs; draw them back into your body.
Benefit from practicing at a moderate pace.
Remind yourself that less is more.
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Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease.