GARSHANA OR DRY BRUSHING

Springtime is an ideal time to incorporate garshana in ones daily routine so that you can support your body’s natural detoxification process.

Benefits of garshana:

• supports Kapha dosha to release excess mucous from the body

• release winter stagnation

• slough away dry skin

• promote cell renewal and blood flow

• support lymphatic system to release toxins

• feel invigorated, less sluggish

• improve mental clarity

Doshic considerations:

Choose the material that is best for your dosha. Traditionally garshana is done using raw silk or linen gloves,but you can use a natural bristle body brush.

• Vata dosha: If you are predominaantly Vata dosha and have sensitive skin, try using raw silk or linen glove, 2-4 times per week. Use light pressure when massaging.

• Pitta dosha: If you are predominantly Pitta dosha, try using raw silk and natural bristle body brush, 4-5 times per week. Use medium pressure when massaging.

• Kapha dosha: If you are predominantly Kapha dosha, try using a dry bristle body brush. Use medium to stronger pressure when massaging.

How to:

• Practice in the morning before bathing, with dry skin -free from lotion or oil

• Stand in the tub/shower or on a towel

• Using gloves or a brush, massage vigorously keeping the strokes moving towards the heart

• Use circular strokes on the stomach moving clock wise, and circular strokes on the joints; use long sweeping strokes on the arms and legs

• Start massage from the feet moving upward, then to the torso and on to the neck

• Next massage from the hands to the shoulders

• Then massage the stomach and buttocks in circular clockwise motions

• Use light pressuer on sensitve skin and thin areas, and apply stronger pressure on areas with thicker skin such as feet

• Afterwards, apply doshic supportive oils: Vata (heavy and warming) -sesame, Pitta (cooling) -sunflower, Kapha (light and warming) -safflower (Kapha may not need oil)

When NOT to practice garshana:

• If you have very fragile and very sensitive skin that bruises or tears easily

• inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema

• skin has an open wound, sunburnt, redde