Body brushing is one of the easiest and healthiest things you can do for your body. I love it because it’s easy to do and feels fantastic.
Daily dry body brushing will improve the health of your whole body; your circulation improves, your skin becomes softer and healthier, even your immunity increases.
Variations of skin brushing have been practiced for thousands of years by many cultures including the Japanese before their traditional hot bath, by Greek athletes following a hard physical competition and by the American Indians to enhance skin beauty.
Why is this technique so enduring? Because it works.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and responsible for one-fourth of the body’s detoxification, most of it through sweat. It eliminates two pounds of waste every day. Body brushing keeps the pathways clear.
Brushing of the skin also sets in motion natural healing pathways within your body by stimulating the nerve beds. This increases the natural healing processes including the movement of the lymphatic system which can become stagnant or thick due to an overload of toxins in the body. So for those of us who are trying to keep the toxins moving out of our body, it makes sense to incorporate this simple technique daily.
Health Benefits of Body Brushing
- Removes Toxins – Body brushing increases circulation, releasing metabolic wastes which aid in the lymphatic drainage of the entire body. When the body removes wastes all the organs are able to function more efficiently.
- Improves skin tone – Body brushing tightens the skin because it increases the flow of blood.
- Breaks down cellulite – Cellulite is the accumulation of toxins in your body’s fat cells. Body brushing helps break down the fat deposits sending them out of the body through your colon. Skin brushing along with a diet full of alkalizing vegetables and a smart exercise routine may reduce cellulite permanently.
- A mini massage – If you sit at a desk all day you may experience stiffness in your neck, shoulders and even your back. Increased blood flow from body brushing increases the electromagnetic energy that allows you to feel energized and invigorated.
- Rejuvenates the nervous system – Body brushing stimulates the nerve endings in the skin which resonate throughout the whole body.
How To Do Body Brushing
Buy a natural bristle body brush, with a long handle so you are able to reach all areas of your body. I like this one.
Always brush toward the lymph glands.
The major lymph glands are located at the underarms, in the groin areas and under the jaw. When in doubt brush toward the heart.
The skin is the last to receive nutrients in the body, yet the first to show signs of imbalance. Don’t forget that brushing is one of the simplest, healthiest things we can do for it. Give your skin attention and it will return the favor by promoting a glowing healthy body inside and out.
Do it once a day before your morning shower or before bed, only on dry skin.
Begin like this:
Start with the tops and bottoms of your feet. Brush your legs, stroke each area as though you are shaving in upward strokes toward the knees, then on the thighs in upward strokes toward the groin.
The backs of the legs and buttocks do not need to go toward the groin, just brush. Just brushing them will give them a little stimulation providing a lift.
Make circular strokes around your hips (great for removing cellulite).
For the arms, start by stroking the palms of the hands to stimulate the reflexology points, then move to the tops of the hands. Continue up the arm making long strokes toward the armpits.
Finally do your armpits. 7 outward heading circles, then 7 inward heading circles on each armpit. (This is the most sensitive place, but it’s sooooo important for lymph flow.)
The face, neck and breast do not need to be brushed, this brush is too coarse for them. Brushing the midsection is good for digestive health. Follow the natural movement of the colon, up the right side (ascending colon) across to the left (transverse colon) and then downward strokes along the left side (descending colon).
NOTE: Don’t brush on rashes or broken skin.
Basically, if it feels good you are doing it right!
Then rinse off your brush and leave it bristles down to dry for tomorrow.
It IS invigorating! And, it feels GREAT.
Now go out and show your skin, proudly accepting compliments from your friends telling you how radiant and healthy you look.
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