Dry Brushing (Abhyanga)
Soapy suds doesn't begin the daily cleansing ritual. It begins with a natural boar bristle body brush before you hop into the shower.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It is the barrier between your fragile inner self and the outside world. It is the porous perimeter that regulates temperature, allows interaction with the environment, and absorbs into the body whatever you put on it. Therefore, you must care for it well.
Dry brushing is known to exfoliate dead skin cells and toxins flushed out through the pores, illuminating the youthful radiant skin beneath. It also improves lymph drainage, increases cellular regeneration, and promotes better circulation, making it a mighty advatage to your overall health and wellbeing. (damngoodyoga.com/goop.com)
Before soaping and rinsing, using firm, small and gentle circular strokes from a natural boar bristle body brush, start at your feet and brush upward towards the heart. Similarly, when you start on you arms, begin at the hands and work upward. For the stomach, work in a counterclockwise pattern. Be extra gentle on the more sensitive areas such as the chest and face. Do not brush over irritated or broken skin. This should be a gentle process that never breaks the skin.
The following link provides information about the benefits of dry skin brushing, along with ta step-by-step guide (http://ww.mindbodygreen.com/0-12675/a-step-by-step-guide-to-dry-skin-brushing.html). The following video provides a detailed visual step-by-step guide to a 6 minute minute dry skin brushing routine - https://youtu.be/YZ7dmwNdcw.
Step by Step Guide To Dry Skin Brushing
To get started, follow the simple steps below:
1. Purchase a natural (not synthetic) bristle brush with a long handle so can reach all areas of your body.
2. Get naked and stand in a bathtub or tiled surface to catch the falling skin. (It's a bit gross, I know.)
3. Begin brushing by starting at your feet and moving in long sweeping motions toward your heart. Always brush toward your heart.
4. Brush several times in each area, overlapping as you go.
5. Take care as you brush over more sensitive areas, like breasts. Your skin will become less sensitive the more you dry brush.
6. Once you've brushed your entire body, jump in the shower. (I like to alternate between the hottest water temperature I can tolerate and the coldest. This stimulates blood circulation, bringing more blood to the top layers of the skin.)
7. After getting out of the shower, pat dry skin and apply a natural fruit oil like rose hip or coconut oil.
8. Continue to dry brush your entire body every day. Twice a day is recommended for best results.
Remember to clean your brush with soap and water once a week. Leave to dry in a clean, sunny spot to avoid any mildew accumulation on your brush.
Try this for 30 days and see the results for yourself!
Some benefits of dry skin brushing:
1. You'll exfoliate dead skin.
Forget your in-shower loofah and body scrubs, this will ensure you have silky-smooth skin all year round!
2. It stimulates your lymphatic system.
Dry brushing your skin will kick start your lymphatic system, which helps you remove toxins from the body. The stiffer the bristles on the brush, the better the lymphatic stimulation you’ll create.
3. Dry brushing helps to reduce cellulite.
Cellulite is simply toxic materials that have accumulated in your body’s fat cells and are trapped, unable to be eliminated from the body. Forget lipo, dry skin brushing helps to break down any trapped toxins from within the body and help your body eliminate them through its usual elimination channels.
4. It unclogs pores and de-congests skin.
Dry skin brushing unclogs your skins pores and helps your skin absorb more nutrients. Daily skin brushing promotes healthy, breathing skin. It's a real treat for the largest organ in our bodies!
After you dry brush, massage your entire body with our SHEAfuliciousTM Artisan Skin THerapy Luxe Shower Lotion Bar, Luxe Balm, or Luxe Whipped Butter.
Begin from the top down. Massage a bit of the exotic luxe butters and oils from the bar, balm, or butter into your scapl, hair, face, and neck. Next , travel down the arms, chest, belly, back, and legs with long, firm strokes, finally ending with a quick foot massage to unstiffent the feet. Spend quality time massaging any dry, sore, or tense areas.
Once the entire body has been tenderly brushed, oiled, and massaged, start a hot shower. [Caution: If you do not have a rubber bath mat in your tub, you will want to purchase one, as the oil will make the floor dangerously slick.] Continue to massage the oil will make the floor dangerously slik.] Continue to massage the oil into you skin, and let the hot water rinse away the remainder. It is recommended to bot wash the oil off, but use a small amount of soap on your underarms, between, your legs, and feet.
