Ayurvedic Dry Brushing

The Ancient Detox Ritual Your Body Will Love

If you’re looking for a simple, energizing ritual to start your day with intention—Ayurvedic dry brushing may be the perfect fit. Known as garshana (pronounced gar-shun-uh), this traditional technique is a time-honored way to awaken the lymphatic system, support natural detoxification, and bring vitality back to your skin and body.

In a world where our bodies are constantly overstimulated—screens, travel, stress, deadlines, toxins—dry brushing offers a rare kind of simple, ancient medicine. It’s a daily ritual that reconnects you to your body, boosts your energy, and helps you begin the day feeling grounded rather than rushed.

What Is Garshana?

Garshana is a form of Ayurvedic dry massage traditionally performed using raw silk or linen gloves. Today, many people use a natural bristle body brush instead.
The goal is simple: stimulate lymph flow, slough off dead skin cells, and jumpstart circulation.

According to Ayurveda, garshana is especially beneficial for those experiencing signs of ama—a buildup of toxins that can show up as sluggishness, brain fog, low immunity, or lack of energy.

Even modern research supports it: gentle stimulation of the skin increases lymphatic flow, improves circulation, and activates the body’s natural detox pathways—exactly what Ayurveda has taught for thousands of years.

Why I Started Dry Brushing (and Why I Swear By It)

I’ve always loved to travel. Exploring new places feeds my soul.
But in my thirties, something changed.

After every flight—whether a short hop to Denver or a long international trip—my feet and lower legs would swell. Badly. It didn’t matter what I tried: aisle seats, compression socks, walking the cabin, more water, less wine… nothing worked. The swelling was painful and sometimes took days to disappear.

And I was scared. Travel was one of my greatest joys, and I didn’t want to lose it.

Then I had a moment of clarity:
Mira, you study the body. What else can you do?

That’s when I remembered dry brushing—a technique I’d once used during a spa treatment.

I thought to myself: You brush your teeth every day. You brush your hair every day. Why not brush your skin every day?

So I began. After every morning shower, I took those few minutes to care for my skin and lymph system. Within weeks, my skin looked healthier and more radiant. And then the real test came: a flight to California.
No swelling.

Later, a long flight to Africa:
Still no swelling.

I was astonished—and relieved.
Dry brushing was the game-changer.

To this day, it remains one of my most cherished daily rituals for feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected to my body.

Why Try Dry Brushing?

Garshana is especially recommended during Kapha season—late winter into early spring—when water and earth elements dominate. Dry brushing helps:

– clear congestion and stagnation
– lighten the heavy, dense qualities of Kapha
– reinvigorate both body and mind

But it supports all doshas year-round:

  • Kapha types: Benefit from daily dry brushing

  • Pitta types: Aim for 4–5x/week

  • Vata types: Try 2–4x/week and always follow with warm oil (abhyanga) to calm and nourish the nervous system

Not sure your dosha? Ask during your next massage or take the dosha quiz on my website.

When to Lean Into Dry Brushing

Dry brushing is most supportive during transitions and seasonal shifts:

  • Late Winter + Spring: Best time—your body naturally carries more heaviness

  • Summer: Helps cool heat fatigue and support lymph flow

  • Fall: Supports immunity and grounding

  • Winter: Warms the body and supports circulation

It’s a beautiful way to align your wellness with the seasons.

What Dry Brushing Feels Like

Dry brushing feels energizing yet soothing—like waking up every cell of your body.

Your skin warms, your mind clears, and your whole system feels lightly charged, as if heaviness has been brushed away.
It’s one of the quickest ways to shift from sluggish to alive.

The Benefits of Ayurvedic Dry Brushing

This simple ritual supports your body far beyond the surface:

✔ Improved muscle tone + smoother skin texture
✔ Enhanced lymphatic drainage
✔ Increased circulation
✔ Boosted metabolism
✔ Gentle detoxification
✔ Reduced physical tension
✔ Support in areas prone to cellulite
✔ Clearer mind + renewed energy

Dry brushing improves both physiology and energy—helping your body feel supported from the inside out.

How to Practice Garshana at Home

Dry brushing takes just 3–5 minutes after your morning shower.

1. Shower first to soften the skin, exfoliate gently, and pat completely dry.
2. Starting at your feet, brush upward toward your heart.
3. Use long strokes on limbs and circular motions on joints.
4. Use clockwise circles on the belly and glutes.
5. Apply light pressure on sensitive areas, firmer pressure where the skin is thicker.
6. Optionally, rinse off with a warm shower.
7. Finish with abhyanga—self-massage with warm, dosha-specific oil.

My Personal Dry Brushing Routine

Here’s exactly how I keep it simple and consistent:

I keep my brush right on my bathroom counter so I never forget.
I dry brush first, take a warm shower, and then follow with sesame or coconut oil depending on the season.
The whole ritual takes under five minutes but completely shifts how my morning feels—lighter, clearer, calmer, and more awake.

Common Dry Brushing Mistakes

Avoid these for best results:

– Brushing too hard (it should be invigorating, never painful)
– Brushing on wet skin
– Using an old brush without cleaning it
– Forgetting to moisturize afterward (especially for Vata types)

When to Skip Dry Brushing

Avoid garshana if:

  • You have very sensitive skin

  • You’re dealing with eczema, psoriasis, or open wounds

  • Your skin is sunburned

  • You have an acute illness or infection

Your skin should always feel supported—not irritated.

Revitalize. Restore. Repeat.

Ayurvedic dry brushing is anything but boring. It’s invigorating, detoxifying, and deeply rooted in the wisdom of natural healing. Whether you're supporting a seasonal shift, energizing your mornings, improving circulation, or simply reconnecting with your body, garshana offers a beautiful path forward.

Add It to Your Next Massage

Curious to try it during your next session?
Ask about adding dry brushing to your treatment—or book an Ayurvedic massage for a personalized experience that supports your unique constitution.

Your lymph, skin, and energy will thank you.

Mira Schoppe