May 2, 2023 KATHRYN CANNON
Dry brushing can be an awesome tool for connecting with your body, increasing lymphatic system movement, and exfoliating the skin to aid in detoxification and circulation.
I find this process to be so invigorating that I even travel with a dry brush to keep my lymph system moving. I wonder if you'll find you end up doing the same!
To start:
Find a natural bristle brush or vegan-friendly alternative. You might want to pick on of these out in-person since the softness or firmness of the bristles with make your experience more effective and pleasant.
For a vegan option, I recommend Eco-tools dry brush. For a natural bristle brush, I like Earth Therapeutics.
Dry brushing is best when done before your shower so you can wash away any dead skin that's been exfoliated.
Step 1: Undress. You will be performing this exercise nude so you can feel the bristles on the surface of your skin. Stay away from sensitive areas and wounds.
Step 2: Start at your feet and with repetitive sweeping motions from front to back in a direction toward your body or heart (see diagram below).
Focus your attention on making all sweeping motions toward your heart, although not fully connecting each motion to that area. Instead use small strokes focusing on one area of the body at a time.
Sweep the natural bristle brush gently over your skin applying a comfortable amount of pressure.
Try using 3-5 stokes in each area before moving up the body. When brushing over joints, use a clockwise, circular motion.
Find what feels right to you. When you first start dry brushing the sensation may feel more intense. As you practice this more, you may chose to work your way into a longer practice lasting 3-5 minutes.
Step 3: Continue to work your way up from the feet, circling your ankles, sweeping up your calves, circling your knees. Continue up your thighs and bottom, circling around your hips. You are using this circle motion when you get to a joint or connection point.
Continue up the pelvis, stomach, sides, around your breasts and your back.
When you get to your back the motion will go upward toward the heart and then down from the neck toward the heart.
Follow that motion of brushing toward the heart, extend each arm out in front of you, and with long sweeping motions go over your arms and the back and front of your hands.
Include your neck and chest using a sweeping motion the side of your neck and around your breasts.
Step 4: Brush hair with hairbrush to stimulate the scalp
Note: If the body is wet or sweaty from exercise, wait until you are dry to do this exercise. As the name suggests, it works best when you're dry.
Step 5: Moisturize your skin post-shower. Personally, I love the practice of body oiling, where you take a good quality oil, like apricot oil, and apply it to your damp body, allowing the water and oil to absorb into the skin as you massage it in.
After a week, or month of dry brushing you may experience less inflammation and increased in circulation. You might even notice your skin is softer - the best part for some folks!
It's likely after putting this into practice a few times, you will find yourself dry brushing everyday.
Happy dry brushing!