Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like- using a course, natural fiber bristle brush on your dry body- and it is amazing! By brushing your body in a particular pattern to increase circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system, toxins are drawn out of the body through the pores. Dry brushing also boosts metabolism, can reduce stress, and exfoliates your skin to improve muscle tone and skin texture; all too good to be true!

In Ayurveda, dry brushing is called garshana (pronounced gar-shun-uh) and it is especially beneficial for balancing Kapha energy, which can feel cold, heavy and sluggish. As you perform the brushing pattern, you can literally feel your internal energy shifting and becoming more vital.

Practice dry brushing before your morning shower. It takes about five minutes to complete the brushing pattern, and should be practiced once to twice a week during Kapha dosha season. I personally love to run the shower and add a few drops of my favorite essential oil to create a delightful steamy spa-like experience. Dry brushes can be found in health food stores, or online for about $10.

Dry Brushing Directions

When dry brushing, always brush in the direction of your heart and pay special attention to key places of the lymphatic system. Never dry brush your neck or face (there are other Ayurvedic practices for these sensitive areas.)

1. Starting at your feet, make long brush strokes upward on your legs, and circular motions on your joints. Move in sections of your body (calf, knee, thigh of one leg; then repeat with other leg), making at least 10 brush strokes per section.

2. Make circular motions on your hips and glutes; spend extra time here as excess toxins are stored in this more dense part of the body. Hip flexors are key lymph node areas, so be sure to dry brush circular motions there.

3. Make large clockwise circles on your stomach (looking down at your stomach.) Continue large circles around your abdomen, paying extra attention to your spleen (left side body) which is part of the lymphatic system.

4. Starting at your hands, repeat the same brushing motion as was done for the legs. Moving in sections (forearm, elbow, upper arm) perform long brush strokes toward the heart and circular motions on the joints, including shoulders. Armpits are key lymph node areas, so be sure to dry brush circular motions there.

5. Lastly, on the collar bones, dry brush downward toward the heart. Make clockwise circles on your thymus, which is a gland in the center of your chest. The thymus is the largest organ of the lymphatic system.