What’s your dominant Dosha? If you’re a Pitta type, energy is your middle name! Focus and determination are what rule your world. Yet, Pitta dominant people tend to get easily overheated and irritable.
You can pacify this imbalance with yoga. Choose poses that are calming, gentle, and forgiving. Focus on surrendering and cooling down.
To get you started, try these seven yoga moves for Pitta dosha.
1. Sphinx Pose
You can do sphinx pose or Salamba Bhujangasana at different intensities. Keep it gentle for Pitta dosha yoga. This one will stretch the back, chest, core, and shoulders.
- Lay on your stomach. Bring your feet together and place your hands on the mat, palm sides facing down. Your elbows should rest just beneath your shoulders.
- Lift your body from the belly up. Bend your shoulders backward.
- At the same time, lift your chest up to the sky. Push your pelvis into the Earth.
2. Wide-Angled Seated Pose
For a calming yet deep pose, do Upavistha Konasana or wide-angled seated pose. This stretch is best done when your body is warm, so it’s a great release for Pitta dosha types. Your spine will also love it.
- While sitting down, stretch your legs in front of you. Open up your legs as wide as possible. Flex your feet, and face your knees toward the ceiling.
- Straighten your spine and hold onto your feet. Bend forward. It’s OK if you can only go a few inches, but avoid rounding your back.
- Look ahead and hold.
3. Lion Pose
Lion pose or Simhasana is a very playful pose. The goal is to “release” steam, making it perfect for a fired up Pitta.
- Sit on the floor. Bring your feet together, placing one foot behind the other. Your knees should be sticking out.
- Spread out your fingers and place the back of each hand on each knee.
- On the next inhale, make the breath big and deep. When you exhale, let out a big roar! Widen your eyes and mouth as much as you can.
- Repeat two more times for a total set of three.
4. Happy Baby Pose
Happy baby pose or Ananda Balasana is another fun one. You’ll be able to release energy, making it easier to cool down. Since it’s so playful, the irritability of an imbalanced Pitta won’t last long.
- Lay down, bend both knees to the chest, and hug them.
- Separate your knees so that the kneecaps lay against your armpits. Flex your feet, so that they’re parallel with the floor.
- Hold the inside or outside of your feet – your choice. Gently rock side to side, massaging your spine.
5. Child’s Pose
Child’s pose or Balasana is an excellent form to surrender. It’s often done in between moves and at the end of routines. Since child’s pose is cooling, it’s a must for Pitta dosha.
- Place your knees on the floor. Spread them as wide as your mat, while keeping your feet together. The tops of your ankles should lay flat.
- Bend forward. Your belly should rest in between your thighs, and your forehead on the floor. If this is uncomfortable, turn on your cheek. Switch sides halfway through.
- Reach your arms straight ahead of you. For a more submissive version, lay your arms along your thighs. Face the palms upward.
6. Corpse Pose
Another restorative move is corpse pose or Savasana. Like child’s pose, it’s very submissive, so it’s commonly done to cool down. Pitta types will definitely benefit from corpse pose.
- Lie down on your back.
- Relax your legs so that your feet are about hip-width apart.
- Leave your arms to the side, with your palms facing upward.
Note: The big thing here is let go of tension. Allow your body to feel heavy, surrendering into the Earth. Holding this pose really means letting go!
7. Reclining Bound Angle Pose
The corpse pose can be replaced with reclining bound angle pose or Supta Baddha Konasana. This is perfect for opening up the hips and groin. Yet, you’ll still be able to wind down and cool off.
- Sit on the floor, and bring the soles of your feet together. Move them close to your pelvis.
- Keep your back straight, and reach your knees toward the floor.
- On the next exhale, slowly lower your back. Lay your arms on the floor with the palms facing up. Close your eyes.
Practice these moves in a well-ventilated room. Open up the windows or turn on a fan. This way, you can cool down with each and every move.