Pitta in balance allows us the ability to
channel our creativity out in the world as
concrete plans. When out of balance, we
can get burnt out, literally feeling adrenal
fatigue. We tend towards irritability, anger
and frustration and can suffer from ulcers
and gastric reflux.
Kapha, the most stable of the three doshas
when in balance offers us calm, patience
and the ability to follow things through to
their end point. When we have too much
Kapha, however, we can become too
rigid. We also begin to lose our fire and
become depressed, feeling lethargic and
gaining weight.
How do we balance the doshas?
An Ayurvedic principle says: Like increases
like, while opposites balance. So to
balance a particular dosha, our work is to
cultivate the qualities opposite to the
dosha(s) we are trying to balance. E.g. if we
have too much air (Vata) in us, we need
more fire (Pitta) and earth (Kapha). We do
this by qualitatively assessing everything
we do in life from the food we eat, our
daily routine and other lifestyle choices,
through the lens of the doshas.
If we have much Pitta in our constitution,
are we living a Pitta aggravating lifestyle? If
we are highly Vata, is our life too fast paced
and airy? And if we are very Kapha
predominant, are we averse to change?
Chances are, we probably are, as the
doshas want to heighten themselves.
It takes much self-awareness, mindfulness
and discipline to start to make the shifts that
truly do help us to experience more
balance.
But we have to start
somewhere!
Here are some practical suggestions to
balance each of the doshas.
To balance Vata:
Practice a routine.
Vata loves
spontaneity which can further throw it
out of balance. Create a disciplined
routine around waking up, sleeping and
eating your meals. Eat meals at the
same time daily, awake early, before
sunrise and sleep by 10 p.m. to balance
your hormones and endocrine system.
Minimize time spent on your tech
Y O G I C
H E R A L D
52
“KAPHA, THE
MOST STABLE OF
THE THREE
DOSHAS WHEN
IN BALANCE
OFFERS US CALM,
PATIENCE AND
THE ABILITY TO
FOLLOW THINGS
THROUGH TO
THEIR END
POINT.”
devices. Turn everything off 1 hour
before bedtime. This will help to calm
the nervous system which is impacted
by Vata.
Eat seasonally. In the winter, abstain
from eating raw veggies and smoothies
as they increase vata. Favor warm
spiced soups and stews, cooked fruits
and warm grains for breakfast and
spiced, warm milks.
Slow down the pace of your life. Avoid
multi-tasking and create boundaries
regarding answering emails. Choose
one thing and do it slowly. This will
increase your focus and productivity.
Practice slower yoga. Avoid too many
quick sports such as running. Instead,
go for a sustained, longer walk out in
nature.
To balance Pitta:
Minimize too much coffee. Coffee is a
pitta aggravating drink. If you do drink
coffee then drink it with milk, which
helps to cool the acidic heat of coffee.
Eat grains such as cream of wheat and
oats to bring some coolness and
sustenance to your fire. Eat cool, leafy
green salads and avoid too much red
meat, which is also pitta provoking.
Practice sports without a competitive
mindset. Challenge yourself physically
but look at the entire practice as a
journey, not a destination, so you can
stay calm and still enjoy yourself. Stay
away from hot yoga or any activities in a
heated environment.
Dedicate your work to a higher cause,
which will help you to ease your
affliction of perfectionism