Dry skin brushing is a technique that has been used by various cultures throughout history.

Turkish bath rituals use a rough cloth mitt, known as a kesa. In ancient Greece and Rome they would use an instrument called a strigiles which was shaped like a curved spoon to scrape the skin prior to bathing. Ayruvedic practice of garsana massage is a dry massage using a silk or wool glove.

The health benefits of dry skin massage are many. It helps to encourage circulation, blood flow, stimulates the immune system as well as helps to detoxify the body. Dry skin brushing is also a great exfoliator.

Equipment
You need two things here: your body, and something to massage it with.

There are many options here. You can use anything from a bath glove made of natural fibres, to a sisal body brush. I prefer to use two different types of brushes. The first is a sisal brush which gives me more control and the second is another all natural brush with a handle so I can reach my back. You need to find what is comfortable for you. I tried several different products before I settled on the sisal brush I use now.

How To

Always massage towards the heart. This helps to increase blood flow and circulation. Massaging away form the heart increases pressure on your veins and can cause damage. The best way to remember this is from your toes to lower back brush up; from the neck brush down.

Begin by using circular motions at the soles of your feet. Work your way around to the tops of your feet and progress to your ankles, calves and thighs, in upward circular strokes.

To aid digestion when dry brushing the abdomen use circular motions going from the left to right side. This follows the natural path of the large colon. Stroke over to the hips continuing the upward circular motions. In the upper chest area apply gentle pressure as the skin there is sensitive.

Brush up the forearms to the upper arms. Once you reach the shoulders begin brushing downwards towards the heart. Repeat this on your back area. From the neck area, brush down and from your buttocks and lower back brush up.

Incorporating the dry skin brushing ritual into your daily practice, you will begin to notice a more invigorated feeling as well as better skin tone. Another benefit you might notice is a reduction of cellulite as the dry massage loosens the trapped fat pockets.

The best way to do incorporate dry brusing into your daily practice is to do it before bathing, either first thing in the morning or prior to retiring. I find that dry brushing in the morning helps to wake me up and invigorate me.