Did you know yoga has a lesser-known, ancient Indian healing system?
The sister of the popular exercise discipline, Ayurveda may not be as relevant to Westerners as yoga is, but its self-care principles are becoming more and more popular across the planet.
Body brushing – or ‘Gharshana’ – is a dry body massage that’s a part of the Ayurveda discipline. Like traditional dry body massages, it refines the skin, but also improves circulation and encourages lymphatic drainage. A quick body brush before your morning shower will give you a glowing complexion in no time. Additionally, not only is this Ayurvedic self-care technique great for your skin, it’ll provide an ample energy boost to power you through the day.
Follow these simple steps for correct body brush application:
- Undress.
- Massage your arms and legs using a dry, stiff-bristled brush. Long, sweeping strokes are preferred, moving in the direction of your heart. After your arms and legs have been worked, finish with your hands and feet.
- Move to the hips and backside, massaging these areas with circular strokes. Next comes the stomach, which is taken care of with clockwise circles.
- The entire body doesn’t need to be massaged – so avoid sensitive areas. This includes your face, chest, genitals, and any broken skin or sensitive spots.
- Finish your massage with a shower. For even better circulation in your system, alternate between hot and cool water.
Your skin is a lot more than a protective barrier around your body. It’s your largest organ, making up roughly 15% of your body weight. It’s a part of your immune and excretory systems. It renews itself every month, and sheds more than 30,000 dead cells a minute!
With that in mind, make sure you’re maintaining your stretchy, self-renewing organ!
Photo Credit: VanoVasaio/Shutterstock
