Dry brushing is a traditional Ayurvedic (named “Garshana”) dry massage that refreshes and stimulates the skin and lymphatic system, enhancing blood circulation and the release of accumulated toxins.
To perform dry brushing, you will need a natural fibres dry brush that gently removes dead skin layers leaving the skin supple and glowing.
Dry brushing should be performed prior to your bath or shower when your skin is dry. It should be performed once a day, preferably first thing in the morning since it is very stimulating. It is better to avoid dry brushing right before you go to bed. The dry brush massage should take you up to five mins.
For a thorough lymphatic cleansing, perform dry brushing daily for a minimum of three months. It is a practice for life long selfcare.
How to dry brush
- When dry brushing, always use upward strokes, toward your belly, this helps support the body’s natural circulation and lymphatic system.
- Massage your entire body, excluding your face and neck. These areas are not recommended since these areas are so delicate and sensitive. Avoid sensitive areas and anywhere the skin is broken or inflamed.
- Use circular strokes on the stomach and joints (shoulders, elbows, knees, wrists, hips, and ankles), and long sweeping strokes on the arms and legs.
- Start with the soles of your feet, brushing them in long, quick strokes. Next, move up your legs, brushing from the top of your feet to your thighs and buttocks.
- Moving up the body, brush your arms, moving in strokes from hands to elbows, then upper arms to shoulders. You can also gently brush underneath your arms but remember to use only light pressure on the underarms.
- Next, gently brush your chest, stomach, back and shoulders. For these areas you can use circular, clockwise movements.
- After brushing your skin, rinse off in the shower, alternating temperatures the the shower from hot to cold. This will further invigorate the skin and stimulate blood circulation and bring more blood to the outer layers of the skin.
- After getting out of the shower, dry off vigorously and massage your skin with pure plant oil, such as almond, sesame or coconut.