What it means to be a
Pitta
Your Overall Element Score
Pitta Characteristics
When You're In Balance
When you're in balance
- You are an ambitious and inspiring leader fueled with passion and driven by purpose.
- You love challenges and becoming the best version of yourself.
- You strive to excel at sports, and careers and love to win the game of life.
- You put ideas into action, take calculated risks and make sure the job gets done as efficiently and timely as possible.
When You're Out Of Balance
When you're out of balance
- You can lose your cool, and get easily frustrated, angry and irritable.
- Your mind is plotting revenge.
- You lose your self-confidence and lose your sense of direction, or become a self-obsessed workaholic.
- You suffer from constant heartburn, and even stress yourself into having an ulcer.
- Your heart wants you to calm down and slow down.
Potential Careers
Potential Careers
In Ayurveda, Pitta Dosha is characterized by traits such as ambition, determination, leadership, and a tendency to be organized and detail-oriented. If you are a Pitta Dosha individual looking for a career choice, you might consider the following options:
- Leadership Roles: Pitta Doshas have natural leadership qualities, making them ideal candidates for managerial or executive positions. They are decisive, confident, and have a natural ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Business or Finance: Pitta Doshas are naturally analytical and detail-oriented, making them well-suited for careers in business or finance. They can handle complex financial data and make decisions based on data-driven analysis.
- Medicine or Law: Pitta Doshas tend to be highly focused and have excellent problem-solving skills, making them well-suited for careers in medicine or law. They have a natural ability to absorb and retain large amounts of information, which is essential in these fields.
- Engineering or Technology: Pitta Doshas are naturally analytical and logical, making them well-suited for careers in engineering or technology. They enjoy working with systems and have a natural ability to find solutions to complex problems.
- Sales or Marketing: Pitta Doshas are naturally persuasive and have excellent communication skills, making them ideal candidates for careers in sales or marketing. They are goal-oriented and have a natural ability to identify and capitalize on market trends.
Balance Excess Pitta
How To Balance Pitta
- Eat Whole Foods: Eating a diet based on whole foods that are fresh, locally sourced and organic is key when it comes to a Pitta balancing lifestyle. Aim to choose foods that are high in vitamins and minerals and avoid processed foods as much as possible.
- Include Ayurvedic Herbs: Incorporating certain ayurvedic herbs into your diet can help to regulate Pitta levels. Some examples include cumin, coriander, turmeric, licorice, ginger, fennel, cilantro and dill.
- Regular Exercise: Taking regular exercise such as yoga or gentle walk is beneficial to maintain a healthy balance of Pitta.
- Reduce Stress: Too much stress activates Pitta and causes overheating of the body. Aim to reduce stress through relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Avoid Too Much Heat: Too much heat can aggravate Pitta, such as hot and spicy foods, alcohol and caffeine. Try to limit your intake of things, or use cooling alternatives such as mint tea or laban (yoghurt drink).
- Reduce Sun Exposure: Too much exposure to the sun can over-activate Pitta. Aim to spend no more than 10 minutes in direct sunlight and wear sunscreen when necessary.
- Eat On Time: Eating meals at regular intervals and not skipping meals can help to reduce heat build-up in the body. Aim to have small, regular meals and don't overindulge.
- Sleep Well: Getting enough sleep can help to regulate the body's Pitta levels and ensure you remain balanced. Aim to get at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep each night in a cool, dark and quiet environment.
- Practice Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness and gratitude can help to reduce stress and bring balance to the body and mind. Aim to take ten minutes each day focusing on your breath and mindfully living in the present moment.
Nutrition + Diet
Perfect Nutrition + Diet
- Start your day off with a nourishing breakfast that contains complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Consider oatmeal, walnuts, and almonds, along with fruits like apples, bananas, and blueberries.
- Focus on having light and cooling meals, such as salads and grains. Avoid hot and spicy foods and instead, opt for crunchy, fresh foods like cabbage and celery.
- Incorporate calming, easy to digest proteins like fish, eggs, and yogurt into your meals.
- Eat plenty of nuts and seeds to keep your body cool and reduce Pitta.
- Always drink plenty of room temperature water to stay hydrated.
- Enjoy sweet and sour fruits such as apples, pears, and cherries.
- Avoid processed foods and sugary snacks, since these can aggravate Pitta.
- Choose bitter and astringent vegetables like kale, spinach, and asparagus.
- Include cooling spices such as coriander and fennel in your meals.
- Aim to eat 5-6 small meals throughout the day, as opposed to three large meals.
- Don't forget to enjoy a cup of warm herbal tea, like chamomile or peppermint, in the evening as a calming way to end your day.
Disease Tendency
Disease Tendency
- Prone to skin conditions such as acne or hyper-pigmentation
- Prone to indigestion, overheating, heartburn and acid reflux
- Prone to stress and irritability
- Prone to fatigue and inflammation
- Prone to inflammation of the lymphatic system
- Prone to inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and ulcers
When Stressed Out
Your Mind Report
Mind Element Score
No Details Found
When Stressed Out
Pitta Body
As somebody with a Pitta dominant constitution, you have a body that is perfectly designed to function effectively and efficiently in a variety of ways. You may be of an average build with a medium height, and a lean body composition. Your skin may be more on the fair and lighter side, with a warm and rosy complexion.
Your physical constitution is well-structured, with well-defined muscles and an athletic poise. You have a sharp and focused outlook, with a tendency to be direct and to the point. You may naturally possess a higher metabolic rate, often feeling warm and even overheating in certain situations.
Your digestion may be quite strong and could require more food than others. You may be prone to overheating during physical activity and find regular exercise beneficial to help dissipate excess heat. Eating cooling, natural foods cooked with turmeric or other spices, may help balance the pitta energy in your body. Avoiding excessive alcohol and caffeine can also help maintain balance.
You may be an outgoing, social person, with an adventurous spirit. Your body utilizes energy quite productively, allowing you to be able to stay focused and motivated when working on a project. To maintain this, it is important to get enough rest and relaxation.
Your mental agility and acuity may be quite sharp, with a tendency to resolve things rationally and intellectually. You may have a higher than average interior body temperature, and benefit from cooling environments and foods. You may have a problem with high cholesterol and need to keep a closer watch on your diet.
Overall, your physical body has a lot of strength and resilience, allowing you to succeed in many endeavors which require both physical and mental focus and concentration. Embracing your natural ability to utilize energy effectively will promote well-being and balance in your body. At the same time also be mindful of your hot constitution and strive to maintain a cool and poised composure.
Pitta Body When Stressed Out
When you're a Pitta dominant person, you have a unique wiring in terms of how your body responds to stress. This is because the Pitta Dosha governs your body's heat regulation, metabolism, and energy, So when you experience stress, all of these are thrown out of balance.
When stress hits, you may experience an uptick in both physical and emotional responses. Your body may react with an increase in inflammation, digestion issues, and excessive sweating. These physical symptoms can lead to feeling irritable, frustrated, and even angry. All of this is linked to Pitta's fire element, which can quickly get out of control and needs to be carefully managed.
The best way to bring your Pitta back into balance is to focus on cooling activities, both mentally and physically. This can include spending time in nature with peaceful, calming energy, and opting for cooling foods and activities that lower inflammation. Examples include eating cooling fruits and veggies, taking a yoga class, going for a nature walk, or engaging in any activity that you find soothing.
By doing something pleasurable and calming every day, you can keep your Pitta Dosha in balance and nurture inner peace, allowing you to navigate through any arising stresses with ease.
Pitta Mind
You have an amazing ability to get things done! You move through projects quickly, and come up with creative solutions to difficult problems. You are an organized and efficient multitasker who likes to dive into details. You're an active thinker who notices the minute details, and you can pick out intricate patterns. Your enthusiasm and sharp intellect make you an inspiring and motivating leader.
Pitta Mind When Stressed Out
When you feel stress entering your body, as a Pitta personality, it can be a bit overwhelming. You're driven and motivated but also need balance and an occasional break. Knowing when and how to take time for yourself is key to keeping that stress at bay.
When you do become stressed, it can be hard to control your emotions. You may be extra cranky and irritable or critical of yourself or others. You might experience a short temper and have difficulty sleeping or focusing. It's important to take time to recognize these feelings and habits and do something about them.
One way to ease stress is to take part in physical activities such as running, yoga, and other forms of exercise. These activities will help to reduce tension and can supply you with a sense of peace and control. Additionally, trying to get off social media and prioritize engaging in healthy self-care activities.
It's also important to set boundaries and prioritize yourself first. Never be afraid to say no and remind yourself of your limits. Remember, it's okay to take some me-time and distance from those who do not support your space.
Lastly, you can take advantage of doing mindfulness activities and talking to a friend or professional about how you are feeling to help manage the stress.
Ultimately, pay attention to how your body realistically responds to stress and embrace a comfortable routine that brings balance and joy back into your life. You will get through this and no stress should ever overwhelm you!
Your Imbalance Report
Your Primary Imbalance Is
0
Your Imbalance Level:
Your Imbalance Symptoms Are:
None
Balance Excess Vata
According to your report, you have excess Vata.
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance.
Diet + Lifestyle
Diet + Lifestyle
- Enjoy naturally sweet, warm and nourishing foods like steamed vegetables and cooked grains.
- Incorporate warm herbal teas, like chamomile, cinnamon or ginger, into your daily routine.
- Get some exercise every day, like walking or gentle yoga, to help balance your Vata Dosha.
- Spend some time outdoors in nature for a daily dose of grounding and calming energy.
- Incorporate some calming self-care rituals like oil massage and Abhyanga into your routine.
- Meditate or practice mindfulness to stay connected and keep stress levels low.
- Get enough sleep and rest to allow your mind, body and spirit to relax and recharge.
Elimination Diet For Vata
Elimination Diet For Vata
Vata-type elimination diet involves eating, drinking, or eliminating certain foods or activities from your routine. It may be beneficial for those with a Vata-predominant constitution, as it helps to balance Vata-related digestive issues and disrupt the cycle of aggravation of Vata in the body. Potential issues of an elimination diet could include becoming too cold, dehydrated, or undernourished which can add to the Vata imbalance.
Pranayama
Pranayama
- Surya Bhedana Pranayama (Right Nostril Breathing): This pranayama increases energy and circulation and helps to counter the effects of Vata.
- Viloma Pranayama (Interrupted Breathing): This type of pranayama is excellent for calming the body and mind.
- Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath): This pranayama helps to reduce stress and can counter the effects of Vata.
- Nadi Sodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This pranayama can reduce anxiety and balance the mind and body.
- Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath): This pranayama helps to increase focus and clarity of the mind.
- Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath): This pranayama helps to improve circulation and warm the body, which can reduce Vata.
- Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing): This pranayama is excellent for calming the body and promoting harmony between body and mind.
Guidelines
Guidelines
- If you need to balance Vata, a fat-free diet is not for you. Cook foods with a little ghee (clarified butter) or include some olive oil in your diet every day. Olive oil cannot be heated to high temperatures without destroying its healing value, so drizzle olive oil over fresh soft flatbreads, cooked grains, or warm vegetable dishes. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, and healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices, or other foods. Avoid too many dry foods such as crackers, dry cold cereal, and the like.
- Cooked foods, served hot or warm, are ideal for balancing Vata. Pureed soups, cooked fruit, hot cereal, rice pudding, and hot nourishing beverages such as nut milk or warm milk are excellent "comfort" foods and help pacify aggravated Vata. Avoid or minimize raw foods such as salads and raw sprouts.
- The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Vata are sweet, sour, and salty, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Milk, citrus fruits, dried fruit, or salted toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds make good snack choices. Eat less of the bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.
- Nuts are wonderful Vata-pacifiers. Soak ten almonds overnight. Blanch and eat in the early morning for a healthy burst of energy. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and cashews make good Vata- pacifying snacks.
- Carrots, asparagus, tender leafy greens, beets, sweet potatoes, and summer squash such as zucchini and lauki squash are the best vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Vata-pacifying spices. Vegetables can be combined with grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades and larger beans.
- Basmati rice is ideal for balancing Vata. Cook it with a little salt and ghee for added flavor. Wheat is also good-fresh flatbreads made with whole wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and available at Indian grocery stores) and drizzled with a little melted ghee combine well with cooked vegetables or Vata-balancing chutneys.
- Most spices are warming and enhance digestion, so cook with a combination of spices that appeals to your taste buds and is appropriate for the dish you are making. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, dried ginger, black pepper, and saffron offer flavor, aroma, and healing wisdom.
- Drink lots of warm water throughout the day.
- Vata types are the only dosha where meat and fish in the diet can be of great benefit, especially to bring balance to high Vata types. Red meat of all types is beneficial. However, chicken and eggs can be enough to provide grounding support. The issue is that you may carry stress over from a dead animal, so making sure you eat pasture-raised animals that are free from chemicals and hormones is important to keep both mind and body healthy.
Factors That Aggravate Vata
Factors That Aggravate Vata
- Stresses, even minor
- Changes, even positive
- Travel, especially by air
- Sensory overstimulation
- Being overscheduled
- Skipping meals
- Eating too many raw, cold foods
- Insufficient sleep
- Poor bedtime routine
- Erratic work hours
- Changing of the seasons
- Cold, dry climate
- Failure to express feelings of grief, loss, or fear
Food Choices
Food Choices
Grains: Rice, wheat, quinoa, oats, and amaranth, all cooked until tender. A low-grain diet is recommended for this dosha.
Vegetables: Asparagus, tender greens, carrots, peas, green beans, white daikon, zucchini, lauki squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes, all cooked.
Fruits: Avocado, pineapple, papaya, peaches, plums, grapes, mangoes, oranges, cherries, all kinds of berries, limes, and lemons, apples if stewed, coconut, fresh figs, raisins (soaked)
Lentils: Mung beans, urad dhal, mung dhal, masoor dhal, toor daal, and red lentils, all cooked until butter-soft
Dairy: Whole milk, cream, butter, fresh yogurt (cooked into foods), lassi, cottage cheese, fresh paneer cheese.
Oils: Ghee, olive oil, sesame oil, cold-pressed nut oils such as walnut.
Herbs: Fresh ginger root, cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh fennel, mint
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds (soaked and blanched), cashews, walnuts (soaked), pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans (soaked), pine nuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.
Spices: Ajwain, dried ginger, asafetida (hing) in small quantities, fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, clove, cardamom, coriander, fennel, black pepper, basil, Chinese cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard seed, mint, rosemary, thyme, lemon and orange zest, oregano, rock salt or sea salt, black salt, dried mango powder, pomegranate seeds or powder.
Other: Rice milk, soy milk, poppy seeds, sucanat, turbinado sugar, raw honey, and tofu in moderation (diced small and cooked with spices)
Meat/Fish: Vata is the only dosha type where meat and fish can be beneficial for strong Vata types. It can be grounding and nourishing for strongly dominant Vata types. However, you must stick to pasture-raised organic meat. It is also advisable to eat nose-to-tail (including organ meats) for a healthier choice of meat. Bone broth is also a great source of grounding nourishment, especially collagen which is useful for thin-framed Vata types you are more prone to bone and joint issues.
Balance Excess Pitta
According to your report, you have excess Pitta.
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance.
Diet + Lifestyle
Diet + Lifestyle
- Spend some time in nature: Take a gentle walk in nature or sit and enjoy the sunshine.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and opt for warming and nourishing liquids like herbal tea.
- Avoid overheating: Stay away from aggravating spicy and sour foods, alcohol, and smoking.
- Take cooling or calming herbs: Gotu kola, Shatavari, hibiscus, licorice root tea, and chamomile can help to support a balanced pitta.
- Practice mindful activities: Take a few moments each day to meditate or jot down your thoughts in a journal.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep every night.
- Take breaks throughout the day: Schedule some downtime for yourself, and take a few moments to catch your breath.
Elimination Diet For Pitta
Elimination Diet For Pitta
Pitta-type elimination diet involves eliminating certain foods or activities that can aggravate Pitta dosha and focusing more on cooling, calming foods and activities that help to support balance. An elimination diet in this way can help to bring down the heat and intensity of Pitta in the body while boosting mental clarity and digestion. Potential issues of elimination diet could come from overly restrictive dieting, or from not enough rest or nourishment, which can disrupt the balance of Pitta.
Pranayama
Pranayama
- Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing): This technique helps maintain the balance between the left and right sides of your brain, reducing pitta and creating mental clarity.
- Siddhasana (seated pose): This powerful posture helps you stay connected to the Earth and its grounding energy, reducing pitta and promoting relaxation.
- Ujjayi Pranayama (victorious breath): This calming practice helps to soothe agitation, creating a relaxing and harmonious environment in your body.
- Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breath): This technique helps to bring balance to your nervous system and creates deep relaxation, reducing pitta in your body.
- Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath): This practice helps you release stored tension in your body, which is beneficial for reducing pitta.
- Kapalbhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath): This invigorating practice helps to clear the nasal passages and energize your body, reducing pitta.
- Shitali Pranayama (Cooling Breath): This cooling practice helps to reduce heat and inflammation in the body, which is often associated with an imbalance in pitta.
These pranayama techniques are powerful tools to help keep pitta in check and bring you back into balance. Practicing pranayama regularly can help keep a harmonious inner balance of your mind and body.
Guidelines
Guidelines
- If you need to balance Pitta, choose ghee, in moderate quantities, as your cooking medium. Ghee, according to the ancient ayurvedic texts, is cooling for both mind and body. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, and healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices, or other foods.
- Cooling foods are wonderful for balancing Pitta dosha. Sweet juicy fruits, especially pears, can cool a fiery Pitta quickly. Milk, sweet rice pudding, coconut and coconut juice, and milkshakes made with ripe mangoes and almonds or dates are examples of soothing Pitta-pacifying foods.
- The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Pitta are sweet, bitter, and astringent, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Milk, fully ripe sweet fruits, and soaked and blanched almonds make good snack choices. Eat less of the salty, pungent, and sour tastes.
- Dry cereal, crackers, granola and cereal bars, and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Pitta dosha and can be eaten any time hunger pangs strike during the day. Although a low-grain diet is preferable for all dosha types, pitta has the best digestive capacity to handle them.
- Carrots, asparagus, bitter leafy greens, fennel, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, green beans, and bitter gourd (in very small quantities) are good vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Pitta- pacifying spices. Vegetables can be combined with grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades.
- Basmati rice is excellent for balancing Pitta. Wheat is also good--fresh flatbreads made with whole-wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and available at Indian grocery stores) combine well with cooked vegetables or Pitta-balancing chutneys. Oats and amaranth are other Pitta-balancing grains.
- Choose spices that are not too heating or pungent. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, and fennel offer flavor, aroma, and healing wisdom.
- Drink sweet lassi with lunch to help enhance digestion and cool, not ice-cold, water to quench thirst.
Factors That Aggravate Pitta
Factors That Aggravate Pitta
- Ongoing or intense stress
- Pushing too hard at work
- Insufficient exercise
- Unrealistically high expectations of self or others
- Excessive stimulants
- Eating hot, spicy, or greasy foods
- Heat and humidity
Food Choices
Food Choices
The following list of suggested foods is by no means all-inclusive but offers starting guidelines if you are new to ayurvedic dietary principles. We will add to this list regularly, so please check back often!
Grains: Rice, wheat, barley, oats, amaranth, sago, all cooked until tender
Vegetables: Asparagus, tender and bitter greens, bitter gourd, carrots, fennel, peas, green beans, zucchini, lauki squash, artichoke, parsnips, okra, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, sweet potatoes, all cooked, small quantities of raw lettuce, carrots or cucumber.
Fruits: Avocado, pineapple, peaches, plums, grapes, mangoes, melons, pears, pomegranates, cherries, all kinds of berries, apples, coconut, dates, fresh and dried figs, raisins (soaked), all ripe and sweet.
Lentils: Mung beans, mung dhal, red or brown lentils, small portions of garbanzos, lima beans, and black beans, all cooked until butter-soft.
Dairy: Whole milk, cream, butter, fresh yogurt (cooked into foods), lassi, cottage cheese, fresh paneer cheese.
Oils: Ghee, olive oil, walnut oil.
Herbs: Cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh fennel, fresh mint.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds (soaked and blanched), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.
Spices: Turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, fennel, small quantities of black pepper, Chinese cinnamon, mint, saffron, dill, sweet orange zest.
Other: Rice milk, soy milk, sucanat, turbinado sugar, date sugar, and tofu in moderation (diced small and cooked with spices)
Balance Excess Kapha
According to your report, you have excess Kapha.
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance.
Diet + Lifestyle
Diet + Lifestyle
- Eat a diet that is light and mostly made up of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid fried and heavy foods, as they can increase Kapha dosha.
- Engage in regular daily physical activities. Doing sports like running, cycling, yoga or aerobics can help to balance Kapha dosha.
- Take a brisk walk after meals, as this will help to aid digestion and benefit Kapha dosha.
- Spend time in the sunshine to help increase energy levels and reduce Kapha dosha.
- Avoid oversleeping and try to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
- Implement some Nasya treatment to help clear the nasal passages and reduce Kapha dosha.
- Use aromatherapy to reduce Kapha dosha, as fragrances like jasmine and citrus help clear the mind and reduce heaviness.
- Spend time with friends and family to help bring a sense of joy and contentment.
- Try to laugh more, as this will help reduce any stress and increase positivity.
- Listen to music that uplifts the soul and inspires you.
Elimination Diet For Kapha
Elimination Diet For Kapha
Kapha-type elimination diet involves reducing the amount of sweet and heavy foods and increasing the amount of light, dry and warm foods. This type of elimination diet may be beneficial for those with a Kapha-dominant constitution, as it helps to regulate Kapha-related congestion or stagnation in the body. Potential issues of elimination diet for a Kapha-person could become from not getting enough rest and support, as Kapha individuals are often energized by rest and nourishment.
Pranayama
Pranayama
- Ujjai Pranayama: This pranayama technique helps to reduce Kapha by stimulating the body's natural fire element. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly to energize and invigorate your body.
- Bhastrika Pranayama: This breath technique can help to reduce Kapha by stimulating the digestive system. Sit comfortably and take forceful and deep breaths, stressing the exhalation.
- Anulom Vilom Pranayama: This technique helps to balance the air element inside the body, which helps to reduce Kapha. Inhale and exhale through alternate nostrils for 15 minutes every morning.
- Kapalabhati Pranayama: This breathwork helps to quickly reduce Kapha. This powerful technique can help to remove toxins while energizing your system.
- Surya Bheda Pranayama: This technique helps to balance energy levels. Take deep inhalations on the right side of your nostril and exhale through the right.
- Sheetali Pranayama: This cooling breath technique can help to reduce excess Kapha. Inhale deeply through your mouth while rolling your tongue into a tube and exhale out of the nostrils.
- Bhramari Pranayama: This is a great pranayama to balance Kapha. Take deep and slow breaths while humming like a bee.
- Nadi Shodana Pranayama: This technique can help to reduce Kapha by balancing the energy channels of the body. Take deep breaths and switch between your nostrils.
- Bhramari Pranayama: This calming breath helps to reduce stress and bring balance to Kapha. Take deep and slow breaths while humming like a bee.
Guidelines
Guidelines
- If you need to balance Kapha, choose ghee, in very small quantities, as your cooking medium. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices or other foods. Steaming foods and then adding a mixture of spices sautéed in very little ghee is best. In general, avoid too many oily foods.
- Light, warming foods help balance Kapha. Clear vegetable soups with beans and diced vegetables, stews made with Kapha-balancing vegetables, bean casseroles, dhal soups and light grain/vegetable combinations are ideal for balancing Kapha, especially when combined with Kapha-balancing spices. Stay away from too much salt and instead infuse dishes with fresh herbs and spices for flavor.
- The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Kapha are pungent, bitter and astringent, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Apples, and garbanzo beans cooked with Kapha- balancing spices or steamed broccoli or cauliflower with a light olive oil and spice mixture make healthy Kapha-pacifying snacks. Eat less of the salty, sweet and sour tastes.
- Dry cereal, salt-free crackers and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Kapha dosha and make good snacks. However, eat snacks in moderation if you are trying to balance Kapha, and avoid sugary snacks. Honey in small quantities is the recommended sweetener.
- Carrots, asparagus, okra, bitter leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, daikon radish and bitter gourd are good vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Kapha-pacifying spices.
- Vegetables can be combined with lighter grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades. Fresh green chili peppers and fresh ginger root add flavor while balancing Kapha.
- Choose lighter whole grains, and eat grains in moderation. Barley, buckwheat, millet and couscous are good choices. If you choose heavier grains, such as rice or wheat, eat very small quantities.
- Zesty warming spices are wonderful for balancing Kapha. Ayurvedic spices such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, cayenne, black pepper, dried ginger, asafetida (hing), cloves and fenugreek offer flavor, aroma and healing wisdom.
- Drink lassi infused with digestion-enhancing spices and herbs with lunch and lots of warm water throughout the day to help flush toxins from the body.
Factors That Aggravate Kapha
Factors That Aggravate Kapha
- Prolonged stress
- Dull job
- Lifeless marriage
- Lack of movement
- Excess sleep
- Overeating
- Too much sweet, salty, or fatty foods
- Taking sedatives, like alcohol or sleeping pills
- Relationships with excessive dependency and clinging
- Too little contact with others
- Cold and damp weather
- Lack of sunshine
Food Choices
Food Choices
The following list of suggested foods is by no means all-inclusive but offers starting guidelines if you are new to ayurvedic dietary principles. We will add to this list regularly, so please check back often!
Grains: Buckwheat, quinoa, barley, millet, oats, amaranth, sago, small portions of Basmati rice, all cooked until tender
Vegetables: Asparagus, all kinds of greens, bitter gourd, green beans, lauki squash, artichoke, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, kohlrabi, daikon, radish, cabbage, all Cooked
Fruits: Apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, cherries, berries, apples, lemons, limes, pomegranates, dried figs, raisins
Lentils: Mung beans, mung dhal, toor dhal, red or brown lentils, small portions of garbanzos, lima beans, and black beans, all cooked until butter-soft
Dairy: Whole milk diluted with water, lassi, small portions of cottage cheese or fresh paneer cheese.
Oils: Small portions of ghee and olive oil
Herbs: Cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh mint, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, sage, neem leaves
Nuts and Seeds: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
Spices: Turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, fennel, dried ginger, Chinese cinnamon, black pepper, Chinese cinnamon, mint, saffron, dill, lime zest, nutmeg, cayenne, fenugreek, mustard seed, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, paprika, mace, cloves
Other: Raw honey in moderation, unsalted unbuttered popcorn, crackers in moderation, cooked tofu in small quantities (diced small and cooked with spices)
Toxicity
Your Toxicity Symptoms:
Your Toxicity Level:
Looks like you've got toxicity going on, but the good news is that we've got some recommendations to help you restore balance. We suggest following some guidelines and a tailored fast and cleanse for your element type. And the best part? Our SOMA Breath transformational coaches are experts at delivering this program just for you. So, let's get started on feeling healthier and happier!
Balance Excess Pitta
Here are recommendations on how to restore balance for Pitta.
Diet + Lifestyle
Diet + Lifestyle
- Spend some time in nature: Take a gentle walk in nature or sit and enjoy the sunshine.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and opt for warming and nourishing liquids like herbal tea.
- Avoid overheating: Stay away from aggravating spicy and sour foods, alcohol, and smoking.
- Take cooling or calming herbs: Gotu kola, Shatavari, hibiscus, licorice root tea, and chamomile can help to support a balanced pitta.
- Practice mindful activities: Take a few moments each day to meditate or jot down your thoughts in a journal.
- Get enough sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of restful sleep every night.
- Take breaks throughout the day: Schedule some downtime for yourself, and take a few moments to catch your breath.
Fasting To Balance Pitta
Fasting To Balance Pitta
Pitta-type fasting involves eliminating certain foods or activities that can aggravate Pitta dosha, and focusing more on cooling, calming foods and activities that help to support balance. Fasting in this way can help to bring down the heat and intensity of Pitta in the body, while boosting mental clarity and digestion. Potential issues of fasting could come from overly restrictive dieting, or from not enough rest or nourishment, which can disrupt the balance of Pitta.
Pranayama
Pranayama
- Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing): This technique helps maintain the balance between the left and right sides of your brain, reducing pitta and creating mental clarity.
- Siddhasana (seated pose): This powerful posture helps you stay connected to the Earth and its grounding energy, reducing pitta and promoting relaxation.
- Ujjayi Pranayama (victorious breath): This calming practice helps to soothe agitation, creating a relaxing and harmonious environment in your body.
- Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breath): This technique helps to bring balance to your nervous system and creates deep relaxation, reducing pitta in your body.
- Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath): This practice helps you release stored tension in your body, which is beneficial for reducing pitta.
- Kapalbhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath): This invigorating practice helps to clear the nasal passages and energize your body, reducing pitta.
- Shitali Pranayama (Cooling Breath): This cooling practice helps to reduce heat and inflammation in the body, which is often associated with an imbalance in pitta.
These pranayama techniques are powerful tools to help keep pitta in check and bring you back into balance. Practicing pranayama regularly can help keep a harmonious inner balance of your mind and body.
Guidelines
Guidelines
- If you need to balance Pitta, choose ghee, in moderate quantities, as your cooking medium. Ghee, according to the ancient ayurvedic texts, is cooling for both mind and body. Ghee can be heated to high temperatures without affecting its nourishing, and healing qualities, so use ghee to sauté vegetables, spices, or other foods.
- Cooling foods are wonderful for balancing Pitta dosha. Sweet juicy fruits, especially pears, can cool a fiery Pitta quickly. Milk, sweet rice pudding, coconut and coconut juice, and milkshakes made with ripe mangoes and almonds or dates are examples of soothing Pitta-pacifying foods.
- The three ayurvedic tastes that help balance Pitta are sweet, bitter, and astringent, so include more of these tastes in your daily diet. Milk, fully ripe sweet fruits, and soaked and blanched almonds make good snack choices. Eat less of the salty, pungent, and sour tastes.
- Dry cereal, crackers, granola and cereal bars, and rice cakes balance the liquid nature of Pitta dosha and can be eaten any time hunger pangs strike during the day. Although a low-grain diet is preferable for all dosha types, pitta has the best digestive capacity to handle them.
- Carrots, asparagus, bitter leafy greens, fennel, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, green beans, and bitter gourd (in very small quantities) are good vegetable choices. They become more digestible when chopped and cooked with Pitta- pacifying spices. Vegetables can be combined with grains or mung beans for satisfying one-dish meals. Avoid nightshades.
- Basmati rice is excellent for balancing Pitta. Wheat is also good--fresh flatbreads made with whole-wheat flour (called atta or chapatti flour and available at Indian grocery stores) combine well with cooked vegetables or Pitta-balancing chutneys. Oats and amaranth are other Pitta-balancing grains.
- Choose spices that are not too heating or pungent. Ayurvedic spices such as small quantities of turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, and fennel offer flavor, aroma, and healing wisdom.
- Drink sweet lassi with lunch to help enhance digestion and cool, not ice-cold, water to quench thirst.
Factors That Aggravate Pitta
Factors That Aggravate Pitta
- Ongoing or intense stress
- Pushing too hard at work
- Insufficient exercise
- Unrealistically high expectations of self or others
- Excessive stimulants
- Eating hot, spicy, or greasy foods
- Heat and humidity
Food Choices
Food Choices
The following list of suggested foods is by no means all-inclusive but offers starting guidelines if you are new to ayurvedic dietary principles. We will add to this list regularly, so please check back often!
Grains: Rice, wheat, barley, oats, amaranth, sago, all cooked until tender
Vegetables: Asparagus, tender and bitter greens, bitter gourd, carrots, fennel, peas, green beans, zucchini, lauki squash, artichoke, parsnips, okra, celery, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, sweet potatoes, all cooked, small quantities of raw lettuce, carrots or cucumber.
Fruits: Avocado, pineapple, peaches, plums, grapes, mangoes, melons, pears, pomegranates, cherries, all kinds of berries, apples, coconut, dates, fresh and dried figs, raisins (soaked), all ripe and sweet.
Lentils: Mung beans, mung dhal, red or brown lentils, small portions of garbanzos, lima beans, and black beans, all cooked until butter-soft.
Dairy: Whole milk, cream, butter, fresh yogurt (cooked into foods), lassi, cottage cheese, fresh paneer cheese.
Oils: Ghee, olive oil, walnut oil.
Herbs: Cilantro, curry leaves, parsley, fresh basil, fresh fennel, fresh mint.
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds (soaked and blanched), sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.
Spices: Turmeric, cumin, cardamom, coriander, fennel, small quantities of black pepper, Chinese cinnamon, mint, saffron, dill, sweet orange zest.
Other: Rice milk, soy milk, sucanat, turbinado sugar, date sugar, and tofu in moderation (diced small and cooked with spices)
Golden Rules For All Elements
- Chew your food well, till it's liquid mashed in your mouth before swallowing. Count to 30 chews before swallowing. Remember your stomach does not have teeth!
- Eat what you love, but stick to a no factory diet, having a pure and balanced diet as much as possible. You will be naturally drawn to certain tastes and foods based on your dosha type.
- Eating till you are 80% full, and only when hungry, and before 8 pm is usually beneficial for every dosha type.
Let SOMA Breath Be Your Warm And Friendly Guide To A Healthy Balanced Life
With over 9573+ students enrolled in our programs and over 1979+ instructors, we have discovered the number one thing most people are looking for is peace of mind.
It doesn't matter if you are already successful and seem to have it all, or suffering from a health issue, or struggling to pay the bills, or going through a divorce, the question on most people's mind is 'how do I get peace of mind?
Interestingly one of the main aspirations of yoga is 'chitta vritti nirodha' which translates to 'bring tranquility to mind' and yoga is one of the key methods of restoring balance in traditional ayurveda.
SOMA Breath is based on the anxiety wisdom of traditional ayurveda, yoga however combined with modern science and proprietary music and brainwave technology.
When you find your element and live by it, you bring peace to your mind, and your life effortlessly flows.
A Soma Breath transformational coach is trained to help you do exactly that by identifying your predominant element, what needs to be brought back to balance and then creating a road map to discovering and getting exactly what you want.
Go deeper with an instructor
Find A Transformational Coach Near You
A certified SOMA Breath Transformational Coach will be able to discover exactly what your element is, and teach you how to maintain and restore balance by creating a customized lifestyle plan just for you.
Recommended Courses
Transformational Course: 21 Day Awakening Journey
Now that you have just discovered your element and what you need to rebalance its time to put this into action. This is our most popular course, currently being studied by Cambridge University that helps you do this and much more.
Led by Soma Breath Transformational Coaches in a group learning experience or done as a self study course, using our proven framework that combines our breathwork and transformational techniques into one step by step course.
Completely transform your life in 21 days, and go away with new skills that will help you stay in balance for life.
Somabreath membership
Make blissfulness your new normal with our exclusive membership program. It's like having your own SOMA Breath spa at a push of a button.. You can retreat, revive, and renew your body and mind within minutes-no matter where you are or how you feel!
You can also connect to a tribe of incredible likeminded people all with the same values, interests and aspirations, that will make you feel like this is home.
Become an instructor
Become a Transformational Coach
Make blissfulness your new normal with our exclusive membership program. It's like having your own SOMA Breath spa at a push of a button.. You can retreat, revive, and renew your body and mind within minutes-no matter where you are or how you feel!
You can also connect to a tribe of incredible likeminded people all with the same values, interests and aspirations, that will make you feel like this is home.
Scientific Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4012357/
Ayurvedic Healing - Dr David Frawley
Medical Understanding Of Yoga - Dr Prakash Malshe
Scientific Sources:
Ayurvedic Healing - Dr David Frawley
Medical Understanding Of Yoga - Dr Prakash Malshe