Wanderlust Aspen/Snowmass presentation of the Pitta Lifestyle. Includes routines and nutritional guidelines

1. The Pitta Lifestyle
For Yogis
Hot Head
Hot Body
…Warm Heart

2. Pamela Quinn…Who am I?
Founder, Elemental OM
Author, The Elemental Cleanse
Creator, The Elemental Lifestyle
Yoga Teacher
Kundalini Teacher
Ayurvedic Specialist
Social Entrepreneur
Single mother of two
Really bad dog owner….

3. Ayurveda…aka
The Art of Living
The Science of Life
The Mother of Healing
A diagnostic tool
using the language
of nature to help
you understand
what is really
going on.

4. • Hot
• Bright
• Pungent
• Flares up quickly
• Intense
• Abruptly settles
• Power, force, & energy

5. The Wind (Vata)
air + space
The Fire (Pitta)
fire + water
The Earth (Kapha)
earth + water
Sleeping Patterns I sleep very lightly and awaken
easily.
I fall asleep easily, sleep for a
moderate period of time.
I sleep very deeply and for
long periods of time. I love
to nap.
Sleeping Patterns I have a hard time falling asleep. My biggest worry that keeps me
from sleeping is work related.
I have very few sleep problems
other than sleeping too much.
Dreams I dream a lot. My dreams are vivid
and active. I do not remember my
dreams well.
My dreams are vivid and full of
passion. They frequently involve
chasing and negotiating.
My dreams are peaceful. I
remember them.
Speech I talk quickly and a lot. I’m very
chatty and have a hard time staying
focused.
I speak with precision and I love a
good debate.
My speech is slow and
deliberate. I think before
I speak.
Shopping I’m an impulse shopper. I love to
buy little gifts for people.
I tend to indulge in very expensive
high-quality items when I do spend.
I shop to “ buy” happiness.
Climate I love it sunny and warm. I do not
like to be cold. I hate drafts.
I prefer cooler weather. I can
become irritable when it is hot
and humid.
I prefer a warmer temperature.
Cold and wet make me achy.
Movement I’m like a butterfly flitting from
activity to activity.
I move with purpose. People notice
when I enter a room.
I have a very relaxed and
fluid gate.
Organization My home or office may appear
messy to others, but I know where
everything is.
I like a well-organized environment.
I have a place for everything.
I am a collector of things.
Sometimes I accumulate
clutter.
Work Preference I love the activities of creation such
as brain storming and
conceptualizing.
I like to be in a leadership position.
I do not liking working under
someone. I am a visionary and
strategic planner.
I like a routine to my job. I
prefer to work for others and
treat my place of employment
as “ family.”
Moods I’m moody. I have a very strong, determined
and stubborn nature.
I am emotionally sensitive and
very caring for others.
Total your “ x” s.
The Wind (Vata)
air + space
The Earth (Kapha)
earth + water
The Fire (Pitta)
fire + water
What isyourdosha?
Your Mi n d
What dosha rules your mind? This quiz determines the predominant element or “ dosha” in your mind.
Place an “ x” next to the sentence that best describes you. If you simply can’t decide, choose The Wind (Vata).
The column with the highest number of x’s is your dosha.
Don’t be surprised if
two or more columns
are just about even
with each other. All of
the elements live in
your mind and it’s
quite common to have
an even split.

6. The Wind (Vata)
air + space
The Fire (Pitta)
fire + water
The Earth (Kapha)
earth + water
Frame I tend to be thin. I have a medium build and tend to
have a more athletic structure.
I have a heavy build and
am strong.
Weight Gain When I gain weight, which is hard
to do, it tends to settle on my belly.
I can gain and lose weight easily. I gain weight very easily and
lose it with difficulty.
Bones If you were to hug me, you would
feel my skeletal structure. My
bones are brittle and fragile.
I am well-proportioned and tend
toward an athletic build.
My bones are heavy
and larger.
Skin Condition My skin tends to be thin, dry,
rough and cool.
My skin is fair and tends to have
issues; rashes, acne, blackheads,
whiteheads or blotching.
My skin is pale and smooth
with very few marks. My pores
are almost invisible.
Nails My nails tend to be dry, brittle
or flaky.
My nails are strong and flexible. My nails are strong and thick.
Menstrual Cycle
(for women in child-
bearing years. All
others simply skip.)
My periods tend to be irregular. I
don’t bleed a lot and it tends to be
dark red. I get really bad cramps
and sometimes constipation.
I have regular periods, with a heavy
flow that is bright red. I feel like my
periods last an extended time and I
may experience mild cramping and
loose bowels.
My periods are regular
with a light, average flow. I
experience bloating and mild
cramps during my period.
Appetite My appetite is irregular. I may go
all day without eating and not
realize it.
My digestion is very strong as well
as my appetite. I like routine meals
and get grumpy if I don’t eat.
I have a stable appetite. I can
skip meals.
Cravings I love salty crunchy snacks. I crave iced beverages and
cold food.
I crave sweets and starches.
Digestion My digestion is unpredictable. I
can be normal, constipated, have
diarrhea or gas and bloating from
day to day.
I have strong digestion. When I do
have issues it tends to be hearburn,
indigestion or loose bowels.
My digestion is slow and
steady. Food feels heavy in
my belly.
Temperature My hands and feet tend to be cold.
I tend to be cold overall.
I tend to be hot. My skin is cool to touch, but I
do have cold hands and feet.
Total your “ x” s.
The Wind (Vata)
air + space
The Earth (Kapha)
earth + water
The Fire (Pitta)
fire + water
What isyourdosha?
Your Bod y
What dosha rules your body? This quiz determines the predominant element or “ dosha” in your body.
Place an “ x” next to the sentence that best describes you. If you simply can’t decide, choose The Wind (Vata).
The column with the highest number of x’s is your dosha.
Many people struggle
with the body portion
of the dosha quiz
because they have
been living out of
balance for a very long
time and don’t really
know the answers
anymore. Don’t worry.
We will take this quiz
again at the end of the
program and you will
better understand
which element
resonates with you
after you come back to
balance. Just like with
the mind, you may find
that two or more
elements describe you
almost equally. All of
the doshas are present
in you body and it’s
quite common to have
an even split between
two. Less common is to
have the doshas split
almost equally
between all three, but
it does happen.

7. hot, sharp, light, liquid, mobile, oily,
sour, pungent, bitter, red, and yellow.
Start Easy with
Digestion:
Strong Digestion
Needs 3 meals at same
time each day or gets
grumpy
Easily gain/lose weight
Weight settles over
whole body
Prone to hot or loose
digestion

8. Vikriti

9. 1 = Not at all 2 = A little bit 3 = Somewhat 4 = Moderately 5 = Very much
I've been having trouble concentrating. I am forgetful.
I have been talking a lot and having trouble listening.
I have been having trouble sleeping. I can't go to
sleep or I wake up and can't fall back to sleep.
I have been very worried lately.
I can't seem to stick to a routine. I am impulsive.
I've been having trouble concentrating. I am forgetful.
I have been talking a lot and having trouble listening.
I have been having trouble sleeping. I can't go to
sleep or I wake up and can't fall back to sleep.
I have been very worried lately.
I can't seem to stick to a routine. I am impulsive.
I've been having trouble concentrating. I am forgetful.
The Wind in Your Mind
1
1 = Not at all 2 = A little bit 3 = Somewhat 4 = Moderately 5 = Very much
I have no routine. I eat, sleep and perform activities at
inconsistent times each day.
I am suffering from gas and bloating.
I have constipation. My elimination is hard and dry.
I have been suffering from a lot of situations; back
pain, headaches.
My skin, nail and hair feel dry.
The Wind in Your Body
Answerhowyouhavebeenfeelingthepast 21days
Do You Have Bal an ce?
Rank each question below on a scale of 1 to 5:
1 = Not at all 2 = A little bit 3 = Somewhat 4 = Moderately 5 = Very much
The Wind in Your Mind
The Wind in Your Body
Overall Total
Overall Total
If your scores are in the 5 – 9 range, you are in balance. If your scores are 10 – 15, you have a moderate imbalance. If your scores are above
15, you are out of balance. If you have anything above 10, you should take action to prevent deeper long-term imbalance.
If you score 5 –
9…Balanced!
10 – 15…out of Balance
15 and above…Take
immediate action!!! You
need The Elemental
Cleanse

10. Balanced…knowledge,
comprehension,
appreciation, right
judgment, recognition,
total understanding
The Fire or Pitta Imbalance
• Burning hands and feet
• Inflammation of the nerves (pain in nerves)
• Sciatica
• Shingles
• Mononucleosis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Epstein Barr
• AIDS
• Cerebral hemorrhage
• Hypertension
• Stroke
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Wrong judgment
• Prejudice
• Manipulation
• Anger
• Hate
• Envy
• Chemical depression and suicidal thoughts
Functions:
Metabolism
Digestion, absorption, assimilation of food
Body temperature
Appetite
Thirst
Taste
Color
Luster of yes, hair, skin, body
Sensitivity in body
Intelligence, understanding, comprehension,
knowledge,
Courage
Ambition
Transformation
Vision perception

11. The basics of this lifestyle
• Consistent routine with good planning.
• 6 hours of sleep each night. Arise before the sun.
• Food…3 meals a day and snacks.
• Time alone each day to meditate, journal, and
relax. Vigorous daily exercise with a long cooling
period afterward…outside in nature is best.
• Meaningful work leading or being led by someone
you admire.
• Laughter…and lots of it.
• Loving support of a family.

12. The Big No No’s for Pitta
• Excessive working
• Daily alcohol or binging on weekends
• Cigarettes, cigars, marijuana
• Fried or greasy foods
• Red meats of beef or pork
• Excessive use of pungent spices
• Eating on the go
• Exposure to consistent heat or short extreme
heat

13. Eating Routine for Pitta
• Eating 3 meals each day around the same time each day. Leave 4 to 6 hours between meals.
• Eat within one hour of rising.
• Lunch is your biggest meal and includes meat if you are choosing to eat meat. Pittas make good
vegetarians. Meat is not your best choice.
• Foods are cool, dry and cooked or raw. You can eat RAW food.
• No eating two to three hours before bedtime.
• If you do snack, you should allow four hours between snacks and meals.
• You benefit from a short walk after your meal.
• Be careful not to overindulge. Your strong digestion appears to suffer little from it, but you will gain
weight and ultimately dampen the fire.
• Favor foods in the following order:
– Beans, all beans
– Vegetables, cooked or raw
– Whole grains
– Fruits
– Seeds
• You may eat nuts, honey and oil. Do notice how they make you feel. Many Fires have a little bit of a
belly upset after eating oily nuts, heating honey and oily oil. Test it out and see how you feel.
• Eat a more bland diet. Spicy spices may not agree with you. Salt is to be avoided as it is too heating. If
you currently consume these and are in balance and are not digestive disturbed, spice your food to taste.
• You may consume dairy in the form of milk, yogurt and soft cheeses like feta and goat.

14. How to Eat
Beans
Seeds
Veggies
Fruit
Grains
Sour
avoid
yum

15. Embrace to cool Pitta:
apples (choose sweet)
blueberries
cranberries
dates
figs
grapes
limes
mangoes
melons
oranges
pears
persimmons
pineapples (sweet)
plums (sweet)
pomegranates
prunes
raspberries
Avoid fruits that are very sour or
acidic…to hot:
apricots
bananas
cherries
grapefruit
lemons
oranges
papaya
peaches
strawberries
Fruits…treat as
dessert or snack

16. Eat Your Veggies
These Veggies are pungent. Notice
how they make you feel.
Raw Beets
Fresh Corn
Eggplant
Mustard Greens
Onions...they are hot
Peppers...they are hot
Spinach
Tomatoes...they are sour
Your BEST veggies are:
ALL VEGGIES…..except for the ones
noted to the left to be eaten
consciously.
Too hot!

17. Grains are sweet
YUM YUM YUM….
Granola (you will LOVE this with yogurt)
Barley
Oats
Rice
Wheat
May be too Hot….
Buckwheat
Corn
Millet
Brown Rice
Rye
Caution…Ye
asted bread
may cause
Gas &
Bloating

18. Meat, Dairy, & Beans
Good Flesh:
White Chicken
Egg Whites
Freshwater Fish
Rabbit
Shrimp
White Turkey
Venison
Not the best Flesh:
Beef
Dark meat of chicken and turkey
Seafood (Salted fish)
Yolk of eggs
Lamb
Pork
Good Dairy for Pitta in moderation:
Unsalted Butter
Soft Cheese
Cow's Milk
Ghee
Goat's Milk
Ice Cream
Fresh Yogurt
Beans Beans
Eat mor e
Chikin!

19. Nuts, Seeds, & Oils
NUTS
Almonds
Coconuts
SEEDS
All
OILS
Ghee
Sunflower
Canola
Olive
Coconut

20. Fasting for Pitta
Fast 1 day each week of fruit/veggie
juice
or
simply eat lightly of beans, veggies,
and rice (one pot meal)
kitchari

21. • Amalaki…hair loss & hot belly
• Or Triphala…detox and digestion
• Flax Oil…healthy heart
• Neem….detox and skin (acne)
• Chyavanprash….hair loss, nails, skin
• Aloe Juice to flush heat
• Sandalwood, Lavender, Jasmine…peace

22. Yoga &
Meditation
• Meditation with eyes
slightly open
• Toning
• Meditation with ocean
sounds…deep listening
• Hatha Yoga with short
holds
• NO NO NO hot yoga. NO
• Sitali Pranayama
• Left Nostril breathing

23. Subtypes of Pitta…tmi for an introduction but
you may be wondering so here you go.
Pachaka
• found in small intestine and stomach
• primary function is the digestion, absorption and assimilation of food
Ranjaka
• found in the liver, spleen and stomach
• primary function is to produce bile, liver enzymes and gives color to the blood
Sadhaka
• found in in the gray matter of the brain and the heart
• primary function is to consciously think, emote and comprehend
Alochaka
• found in the eyes
• primary function is to see. Responsible for color of eyes
Bhrajaka
• found in the skin
• primary function is temperature control. Maintains the color and texture of the skin.

24. Pamela Quinn
pamela@elementalom.com
www.elementalom.com
www.elementalcleanse.com
www.facebook.com/pameladquinn
http://www.slideshare.net/pameladquin
n