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[lunaiku]

I've been to a couple ayurvedic practitioners. The first one told me that both my Vata and Kapha were in excess, and recommended certain things to reduce those qualities. The second set of practitioners observed that at a certain point in my life, a few years ago, I eliminated all pitta activities from my life, and recommended increasing pitta and my digestive-fire agni.

Over the past couple weeks, I've been eating spicy food, drinking warm water, wearing warmer clothes, exercising, and trying to avoid being cold to increase my fire and get away from those Vata and Kapha qualities.

But one bothersome symptom that I've noticed is that my face now gets flushed, like it used to a while ago (which prompted me to limit spicy food in my diet at that time too). I get anxiety, and although I can't see myself, I feel like my face is turning red (which embarrasses me in itself, thus causing even more anxiety, in addition to withdrawal).

Is this a Pitta issue? Does this mean that my Pitta is now becoming excessive and that I should stop trying to increase it (or even reduce it)? Or could these symptoms be caused by something else? I know that it's Vata that's usually associated with anxiety, but heat is Pitta, so I'm not quite sure..

[jessica]

Lunaiku, it's difficult to auto-diagnostize and it's strange that the ayurveda practicionners consulted did not end on the same conclusions and recommendations. Before any remedies, should you not see a third specialist to ensure you are treating well the problem? Have you considered going directy to a resort in India to get a on-site program?

In the following article, the doctor is mentionning the after effects of incresing its pitta so he gives advices (I put them in red for you) to chill you down and relax... Hope it can help you.
x
jess

Too Much Pitta
By Gary Gran RYT, DAy.

Late spring and summer are known as the pitta time of year in ayurveda. This means it’s an easy time for pitta to become excessive. So what exactly is pitta? According to ayurveda, pitta dosha is the life principle of fire held in water to a fault or excess. The main qualities of pitta are a tendency toward excessive heat, oiliness, lightness, intensity and irritability within the body-mind complex.

Textbook-style explanations can only teach us so much, however. So we could try the same experiment we tried last fall for vata dosha (see “Too Much Vata” in the November-December 2007 issue) or earlier this year for kapha dosha (see “Too Much Kapha” in the March-April issue of YOGAChicago). The goal will be to experience an overload of pitta firsthand.

Here is a checklist for what to do (the antidotes will be given later):

1. Go for it. Get as much stimulation as possible.
2. Be as intense as possible. Play to win. Push yourself hard.
3. Turn up the heat. Exercise at noon or in hot places.
4. Then eat some super-spicy, oily food. Fill up on meat. Drink strong coffee.
5. Put in long hours at work. Stay up late. Burn the midnight oil.
6. Be a risk-taker. Jump first and ask questions later.
7. Watch violent action movies or the evening news.
8. Be ready to argue and defend yourself at all times.
9. Keep your living and workspace hot and stuffy.
10. Spend as much time in the sun as possible.

Starting to get a little hot under the collar? Right on! Feeling irritated? You’ve got your pitta rising. Sounding a little harsh in your judgments of others? Yes, indeed. Noticing those angry, jealous feelings coming on? Bring it on. Feeling like reaching out and striking something or someone? OK, that’s it, hold the show. You definitely know what an excess of pitta feels like. It’s time to stop.
When pitta is high, you may break out in skin rashes, sprout some pimples or simply feel itchy. Exposure to chemicals, plastics, food additives, hormones and toxins in general are known to provoke pitta.

Now it’s time to reverse the process and learn the antidotes:

1. Your new motto is moderation in all things.
2. Let go, let go, let go. Chill and relax. Or, as it is now said, chillax.
3. Stay cool. Exercise during the cool of the day.
4. Enjoy mild, cooling, soothing and nourishing foods and drinks. Fruits and fresh vegetables are especially helpful, but be sure to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Go easy on the spices and stimulants.
5. Take time off. Go to sleep before midnight. Rest during the heat of the day.
6. Slow down. Use foresight. Learn to look before you leap.
7. Enjoy peaceful, soothing music and entertainment.
8. Realize that others may not share your opinion or your enthusiasm. There is no need to be right. Practice cheerfulness and friendliness.
9. Get good ventilation. Use fans, dehumidifiers and air conditioners as necessary.
10. Stay out of the sun. Spend time in shady, soothing natural settings. Enjoy the coolness of the moon.

And, finally, realize your vision and your joy. Pittas are natural leaders once they realize that it’s all right for others to hold different opinions. It doesn’t have to be us against them. Laugh, laugh and laugh some more. Let your joy be a light unto the world.

………………….
Gary Gran is a certified yoga teacher and ayurvedic educator who teaches in Evanston. He is the co-director of the Evanston School of Yoga, 847.869.7221, and Annapurna Holistic Services, 847.733.1059, and can be E-mailed at ggran9@att.net.

[madison]

Hi here,
Actually i had the same over-heating problems due to correcting my pitta weakness. Just like the description made bu Lunaiku: red face, too hot, nervious scratching...
One of my secret tips was too practice heavily yoga, and more precisely the breathing + meditation techniques helped me a lot...
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Mad X