Hello Mutineers! If you’ve followed us here on the website or on social media sites like Instagram and Facebook, you know that I like to share the things we actually use around Mutiny Ranch. Since our interests are diverse these items range from animal care to gardening implements but also footwear and kitchen gadgets. No matter what the item is though if we recommend it here then we personally own and use it or have researched it enough to have it on our “wishlist”.
The Mutiny Ranch Item of the Day for 3/28/2021 is the Garshana Massage Gloves and the Dry Body Brush. I’ve been trying to think about how I can introduce ideas and concepts (and products I use & love) that align more with Yoga and Ayurveda but might not seem relevant to gardening, farming, or animal care. You see, in my mind Yoga and Ayurveda goes with every lifestyle. They offer physical support, nutrition guidance, mental clarity, stress relief, immunity support, and other components that lead to a healthy life. So, I thought I’d make a special category called Self-Care Sunday.
The Self-Care Practice I’d like to introduce today is body brushing also known as dry brushing. Dry bushing is exactly what it sounds like…brushing the entire body with a natural bristled brush. Dry brushing has been used as a health care practice for thousands of years in many cultures from the Romans to Ancient Egyptians. Dry brushing has been used in Ayurveda for at least 5000 years but they call it Garshana.
Dry brushing (or Garshana) is an invigorating practice used to stimulate circulation, exfoliate the skin, tone the digestive organs, drain the lymphatic system, encourage cellular turnover, and massage the facia and muscles. Some even say it can help break up scar tissue and cellulite. It’s an overall great practice to start and a habit to build.
I’m recommending two different options and, after you click on either link you’ll be able to scroll through many other types of brushes. The Garshana Gloves are quite different than the brush. If your skin is very sensitive or “thin skin”…prone to tearing or bruising you might opt for the Garshana Gloves first. Traditional Garshana Gloves are made from raw silk. They offer just a bit of exfoliation and, by comparison, are less rough on the skin than even terry cloth. But they still get the job done. Most of the benefit comes from the action of rubbing the hands over the body from the feet up.
With Garshana Gloves you’ll start at the face and work your way down the body. Use outward strokes on the face (think lifting up and away to smooth out wrinkles). Use long sweeping strokes on the limbs and clockwise circles over the abdomen. Circular motions are for joints and buttocks…long strokes for legs and limbs.
The Dry Body Brush is much firmer, or rougher, on the skin. There are several options for bristle type from boars hair to vegan sources like cactus fibers. I recommend using a natural fiber instead of nylon. There are also softer and firmer brushes available so be sure to read through the description and reviews to select the right one for you.
I prefer a small hand-held brush as my primary dry brush but it is nice to also have a long-handled brush for your hard-to-reach places like the back. Use your dry bush much the same way as the Garshana Gloves but skip the face. Pay special attention to the joints and lymphatic areas. It might feel uncomfortable at first but you can control the pressure or opt for a softer brush.
Here’s a set that includes a soft and firm brush. This will give you the option to use the softer brush on more sensitive areas.
Obviously, you won’t want to perform dry brushing or Gashana on sunburnt skin, extremely sensitive skin, open wounds, inflamed skin, or if you are feeling ill. This should feel good…not painful.
I hope you’ll give it a try on your Self-Care Sunday and let me know what you think!
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