How To Tuesdays::Body Brushing

Body brushing is something that has been around for centuries, yet many of us don't know anything about it! I have been body brushing for almost a year now, and do not think I will go a day without doing it. 

Dry body brushing opens pores, stimulates sweat glands, and increases blood circulation while encouraging the body to release waste material from the cells near the surface of the body. It will get rid of dead skin, dirt, and some acid. It will make your skin glow while it moves lymph (which is very important in riding your body of toxins and fighting cancer) and blood. It can also decrease that awful cellulite we all have. 

It is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to detox at home. You can do it every day or just a few times a week and reap the benefits. The dead skin comes off  this means you will have fewer bacteria on your skin (healthier for you and for those around you). For best results, follow with a hot shower to open the pores allowing the toxins to come out and be washed away. 

Some vital benefits of body brushing include:

• Removes dead skin layer
• Tightens skin
• Helps in digestion
• Stimulates circulation
• Removes cellulite
• Increases cell renewal
• Cleans lymphatic system
• Strengthens immune system
• Stimulates glands thus helping all of the body systems perform at peak efficiency
• Improves exchange between cells
• Increases your skin’s ability to eliminate toxins
• Improves the health of the liver and kidneys because it enables the skin to take on more of the
• burden of detoxification
• Stimulates the nervous system (that helps improve its function)
• Tones muscles 

Who knew something so easy and fast could provide your body with such wonderful benefits? So, now your hooked. You want to start this Dry Body Brushing. But how do you do it?

First off, you must use a natural bristle or natural hair brush when doing body brushing. Synthetic bristles or brushes won’t allow the energy flow to happen, it will stop the electrical charge. 

The brushing procedure should be light—you are not attempting to remove skin. It should be light and gentle, quick small stokes, removing the brush from the skin in between strokes. You’re kind of flicking the brush against the skin. You may see some reddening of the skin—this should be a simple flush as the skin reacts to the contact and stimulus of the brush. If you are seeing a reddening of the skin due to abrasive contact with the brush you are brushing too hard. If you see scratch marks you are REALLY BRUSHING TOO HARD. You’re not trying to remove skin. It’s really not that much effort. When you make the little flicking motion you are taking the positive energy from the brush and moving it, using static electricity thereby increasing the energy, and as you come off of the skin you are actually pumping the lymph! 

Before you start, here are your rules of thumb:

• Start on the right side first—always do right side then left side.
  
• Always brush towards the heart (note: arms are considered to be something that hang down at
  your side, so you brush from the hands to the shoulders). The diagram above shows how lymph flows and thus your brush should flow while brushing. 
  
• You will do all of these moves in threes. Why threes? It is part of the golden proportion, the phi
  ratio. Your body is built on golden proportions.
  
• Note: This will probably give you energy. You may not want to do this just before going to bed,
  as you may not sleep.
  
• You don’t need to cover all of the skin, but you can if you want.
• Avoid areas of broken skin or rashes. 

Following the diagram above, start with your right leg and work from your feet up to your bottom. Do this three times, always ending at a point for lymph drainage. Continue up and brush your abdomen, and right arm. Repeat this process with the left side of your body. Don't forget your back!

For your head, start at your temples and work to the side of your jaw. From your jaw, brush to your right armpit and then across your body to your heart. Repeat this with the left side, except you do not have to go across your body since your heart is on the left side of your body. Do this three times as you have done the rest of your body. 

It is best to brush in the mornings because brushing gives you energy! Always do before you take a warm shower or bath to flush off excess skin you've created from the brushing process. 

helpful source

you tube demonstration