I have a love/hate relationship with this one. But as it is spring time, it’s becoming more and more of a go to for me. I find it to be extremely invigorating, which can be very helpful as the kapha set's in and we might be feeling a bit lethargic.
Ayurvedic dry-brushing, called garshana (pronounced gar-shun-uh), is an amazing practice to have in your toolbox. It promotes lymphatic cleansing and is a powerful way to support the removal of ama (cellular waste products/toxins) from the body. This technique is recommended for people who have signs of ama, which may include fatigue, sluggishness, feeling physical or mental dullness, constipation, and a taxed immune system. What happens is that you get things flowing and moving through the lymphatic channel so that it can be processed and eliminated.
Dry brushing is an excellent practice for the kapha time of year, the season of spring!! This is the time of year when kapha can begin to accumulate in the lymph or the sinuses and create stagnation or respiratory congestion. Dry brushing helps to stimulate kapha in the body and encourage movement and drainage of excess mucus.
How often to Practice??
For those kapha folks out there, this is one to use daily. But for us Vata & pitta pals, it can be aggravating and overstimulating, so pitta keep it 3-4x a week & vata 2-3x per week. For those with sensitive skin or anxiety, make sure to practice abhyanga afterwards for that oily blanket of comfort.
Here are some tips to get you started:
The Benefits
Increases muscle tone
Improves skin texture (luminosity and suppleness)
Reduces the effects of stress on the body
Promotes weight management by supporting healthy metabolism
Supports natural detoxification
Improves lymphatic circulation
Enhances circulation
Stimulates areas that accumulate cellulite
The Contraindications: Avoid garshana if you have:
Very sensitive skin
a skin condition, such as psoriasis or eczema
an open wound (skip the area)
inflamed skin due to sunburn or an allergy
an illness