Pitta is one of the 3 mind-body types found in Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old science codified by ancient sages (rishis) in India. Pitta represents fire and water elements and this is seen in Pitta individuals: medium build, obvious musculature, intelligent, athletic, with strong appetite and strong digestion. Active Pittas tend to maintain the same body weight from being physically active and thanks to their strong digestion.Balanced Pittas are competent leaders who are able to complete tasks. Imbalanced Pittas can be bossy, competitive, argumentative or harbor resentment. Meditation is one way to soften the driven Pitta ambition without quenching her desire to learn, contribute and perform. By taking time for meditation, Pittas can recharge.
Instructions
1. Begin by sitting in a comfortable, cross-legged, seated position on the floor. If your hips are higher than your knees, sit on a pillow or folded blanket. If you are not comfortable, sit in a chair so your back will be straight.
2. Close the eyes softly and do a variation of a lion’s breath to dissipate excess heat or Pitta agitation. Inhale through the nose and exhale out the mouth, sticking the tongue out. Repeat twice more.
3. Continue with pranayama (breath work) as an important support for your sitting meditation. Eyes closed, inhale through the nose and keeping the mouth closed, exhale through pursed lips, making a bee buzzing sound. The lips are pursed and the sound is soft. Repeat for 7 to 12 rounds comfortably. Both pranayamas you have done reduce Pitta agitation.
4. Proceed to visualization. Keeping the eyes closed, picture a scene in nature that is restful and restorative for you: not stimulating. A moonlit beach or a shaded grove by a creek or any other location in nature that allows your face to soften. Expand the visualization to imagine what you would smell or feel: the sand beneath your feet at the beach or the smell of pine trees? Allow all of your senses to become gently engaged in this visualization.
5. Remain in this place of stillness and active presence for at least 10 minutes. If you are new to meditation, do it daily at the same time and in the same place, if possible. You are attuning your central nervous system to a non-reactive state. The breath work helps remove physical tension and the visualization can help lower the heart rate and, if practiced regularly, blood pressure.
6. Do not become obsessive or competitive about your meditation. Consistent, kind practice trumps monthly marathon sessions at a Zen retreat. Daily meditation is most effective as it can address daily stressors by dissipating them.
Tags: breath work, nature that, Pitta agitation, strong digestion, through nose