Your Ultimate Guide to Embracing Pitta Season
Your Ultimate Guide to Embracing Pitta Season
As the seasons change, so do the energies that surround you. In Ayurveda, an 5,000 year old holistic healing system, these energies are represented by what Ayurveda refers to as the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Each dosha corresponds to different qualities, and during the summer months, you are immersed in Pitta dosha. Pitta, the dosha made up of fire and water, governs our digestion, metabolism, and overall body heat. To ensure balance and harmony during this season, it's helpful to understand Pitta and how we can align ourselves with its energy.
It’s important to note that all of us are always in an ongoing practice of coming to balance. I often like to mention how we doin’t come into a yoga pose like tree pose the same way every single day. Sometimes it’s easy and we’re right there. Sometimes we wobble and fall. Different days and different seasons require different practices for each of us and that’s what can keep these teachings fun!
Understanding Pitta Dosha
Some qualities of pitta are sharp, hot, light, and spreading.. Pitta governs your digestion, metabolism, and transformation. People with a dominant Pitta constitution tend to have a medium build, a strong appetite, and a sharp intellect. They are often determined, competitive, and have a natural inclination towards leadership roles.
When in balance, the Pitta archetype is organized, a strong leader, a great teacher, and in-tune with what their staff or team may need from them and how they can serve those around them.
When out of balance, this same person can be dramatic, judgemental, and have a bit of a short temper.
Although you might see these balances and imbalances in someone who has a lot of Pitta, remember we are all made up of all three doshas. This means that if you find yourself feeling a little fiery or judgey, you can incorporate some Pitta-balancing practices to come back to balance.
What to Expect in Pitta Season
Pitta season typically spans from late spring to early fall, when the sun is at its peak, and is dominant during the summer months.. During this time, the external environment around you mirrors the qualities of Pitta, with intense heat, long sunny days, and high energy levels. Pitta energy is at its strongest during midday, which can contribute to feelings of ambition, assertiveness, and productivity.
Since pitta season is during the summer months, there is almost a natural urge to slow down. It’s common for people to take a vacation during the summer and to also embrace lounging by a pool or spending time at the beach or other body of water. You may find that during the summer, you are already seeking ways to chill out and cool off.
Your body is incredibly intelligent and Ayurveda teaches us that any time there is a craving, it can be a time to turn inwards instead of judging whatever is coming up. If you’re craving a juicy watermelon on a hot day, it could mean that your body is experiencing an increase in the hot and dry qualities and it needs to cool down and take in moisture.
Noticing Pitta Imbalance
An imbalance in Pitta will occur when its qualities become excessive. Some common signs of Pitta imbalance include irritability, anger, inflammation, acid reflux, skin rashes, excessive sweating, and indigestion.
You might notice some excess Pitta creeping up on you during those hot days where perhaps you ate some spicy salsa, decided to dive into an intense yoga class, and then went and had a heated conversation with a friend or a partner. According to Ayurveda, like increases like and opposites balance. If you keep increasing the hot and heated activities, you will in turn feel hot and overheated.
Sometimes, a Pitta imbalance may also result in burnout. If you don’t notice when the qualities of Pitta begin to become excessive, it can be really easy to accidentally find yourself in a place of burnout. It’s totally avoidable, though! Especially when you know how to keep your Pitta in balance,
Keeping Pitta In Check During Pitta Season
Diet and Nutrition: Try to favor cooling and hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and berries that are in season. Incorporate leafy greens, coconut water, foods with sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes, fresh organic vegetables, and cooling herbs like cilantro and mint. Minimize very spicy and oily foods, fried foods, and overly processed meals, as they can set off Pitta imbalances.
Lifestyle Practices: Favor activities like swimming, hiking in shaded areas, meditation, gentle yoga, and pranayama. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and engage in activities during the cooler parts of the day.
Self-Care Rituals: Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of room-temperature water throughout the day. Apply cooling essential oils like sandalwood, rose, or lavender to your pulse points or use them in a diffuser to promote a sense of calmness. You can also mix them into your favorite lotions and serums.
Remember it’s all a practice: None of us “get it right” all the time. As human beings here on planet earth, each of us experiences feelings of being in balance and falling out of balance. When things don’t always work out, Pitta season can cause feelings of self judgment and self-blame. Try to be kinder and lighter on yourself, especially during this fiery season.
While it's important to balance Pitta during the Pitta season, you can also harness its positive qualities for personal growth and achievement. Pitta's fiery energy can be channeled towards pursuing passions, setting goals, and making progress in various areas of life. By embracing Pitta energy with mindfulness and balance, you can achieve success while maintaining your overall well-being.
Embrace The Heat
Pitta season presents an opportunity to align yourself with the energy of fire and transformation. By understanding the characteristics of Pitta and adopting practices that balance its intensity, you can thrive! Through mindful diet choices, lifestyle adjustments, and self-care rituals, you can maintain internal harmony and enjoy the best that summer has to offer.
Embrace Pitta season with awareness, and let its energy ignite your passions and fire you up for growth and fulfillment.
Embrace Your Natural Leadership Qualities: Pitta provides you with the ability to step into more leadership roles. Embrace this aspect of your personality by taking on projects that allow you to showcase your skills and take charge. Whether it's at work, within a community, or in personal relationships, use your leadership qualities to inspire and motivate others.
Cultivate Focus: Pitta is known for its intense focus and determination. Channel this energy by setting clear goals and working towards them with unwavering commitment. Create a structured routine that allows you to stay focused and make progress in your endeavors. This could include planning and prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps. Remember to be easy on yourself and to also take breaks!
Harness Your Intellectual Strengths: Pitta brings a sharp intellect to the mind. Embrace this aspect of yourself by engaging in activities that stimulate your mental abilites. Read books, find new courses or workshops, engage in fulfilling discussions, and challenge yourself with new, problem-solving tasks. Stoking your intellect will not only keep your mind sharp but also provide opportunities for your own personal growth.
Maintain Emotional Balance: While Pitta dosha is associated with strength and assertiveness, it's important to maintain emotional balance. Keep the fiery nature that can come with the summer in check by practicing self-awareness. Cultivate compassion and empathy towards others, and practice active listening to understand different perspectives. Engage in activities that bring upon relaxation and help manage stress, such as meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises.
It’s Always About Loving This Life
What works for me may not work for you and what works for you may not work for the other people in your life. Ayurveda teaches us to notice what makes us feel balanced and what makes us feel unhappy or out of balance. It’s all about paying attention, living mindfully, and taking care of you!
If you’re experiencing the summer months right now, definitely lean into whatever it is that makes you smile, sleep easy, and move through each day with love and with ease. That’s what it’s really all about!