Pitta types have a strong drive and tend to like challenging sports such as skiing, hiking, tennis, and mountain climbing. Because of their competitive nature, Pittas need to be careful not to increase their stress while exercising - stewing over every bad golf shot or wanting to win at all costs.

If you are a Pitta type, you may especially enjoy winter sports of all kinds because you can handle cold better than Kaphas and Vatas. Pittas tend to have less endurance than Kaphas but are good at all exercise in moderation. You might like to try long-distance bicycling or Rollerblading. You also will benefit from taking a leisurely walk outdoors in a beautiful area. This will give you a change from your usual determined pace, allowing you to deeply experience nature's beauty. Finally, swimming is an ideal exercise for Pitta dosha. The water cools the heat of PItta and relieves the accumulated tension of the day.

 

Pitta doshas benefit from cultivating a calm, relaxed attitude toward their practice, letting go of their competitive tendency. Resist the urge to compare yourself with others in your yoga class, and be gentle and patient with yourself.

Since Pittas have a tendency toward excess heat, avoid yoga forms that cause profuse sweating, favoring cooling, relaxing poses instead. Also avoid holding long inverted poses, which create a lot of heat in the head. You may want to schedule your yoga sessions during cooler times of day, such as dawn or dusk.

Focus on poses that help to release excess heat from the body, including those that compress the solar plexus or open the chest, especially the pigeon, camel, cobra, bow, fish and bridge poses. For standing poses, the best ones for Pitta are those that open the hips, including tree, warrior, and half moon.

When you enter Savasana, quietly focus on your breath. This will calm your mind and center you in your body and heart.