By Kathy Rivera
Did you know your skin, the body’s largest organ, is not just your outer shield but also a mirror of your internal well-being? Enter dry brushing, or garshana (pronounced gar-shun-uh)—an ancient Ayurvedic ritual that invites vitality, flow, and self-love into your daily routine, especially during the winter months when our bodies need a little extra TLC.
Winter is ruled by the kapha dosha in Ayurveda, characterized by qualities like heaviness, coolness, and stability. While cozy vibes sound lovely, kapha energy can leave us feeling sluggish, unmotivated, and burdened with ama—unprocessed toxins in the body. Coupled with winter dryness, it’s the perfect storm for feeling lethargic and stagnant. Dry brushing sweeps in (literally!) to restore flow and energy, getting your body back in harmony with its natural rhythm.
How to Dry Brush
Grab a dry brush or exfoliating gloves—this is your magic wand! Here’s how:
- In your tub, start from the soles. Use gentle, circular motions on your feet and move upward toward your heart.
- Don’t overthink it. There’s no wrong way to do it. Just brush, baby, brush!
- Rinse and refresh. Once you’ve given your skin some love, hop into the shower to wash away dead skin cells.
Add extra radiance by pairing this ritual with abhyanga, Ayurveda’s luxurious self-oil massage. Warm almond oil, sesame oil, or la diosa body oil in your hands and lather it onto your body post-shower. For a yummy CBD lotion option, try Potency No. 710’s Higher Good, which also contains 750 mg of healing CBG. Take your time (15 min), let the oil sink into your skin, and reconnect with your body as you release tension and nurture your nervous system. Don’t forget the scalp—your crown deserves the royal treatment too!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Rituals
Benefits of Garshana (Dry Brushing):
- Boosts skin texture, glow, and suppleness
- Helps eliminate “chicken skin” (clinically known as Keratosis pilari)
- Supports metabolism and detoxification
- Improves lymphatic drainage and circulation
- Awakens and energizes your body
Benefits of Abhyanga (Self-oil Massage):
- Promotes healthy lymph flow and circulation
- Enhances sleep quality (hello, dreamy nights!)
- Encourages graceful aging and glowing skin
- Soothes your nervous system and restores balance
These rituals are a powerful duo, offering not just physical benefits but also an emotional and spiritual reset. It’s self-love in its most tangible form, melting stress while infusing your day with grounding and nourishment.
A Few Notes of Caution
While dry brushing is generally safe and oh-so-beneficial, avoid it if you have:
- Extremely sensitive skin
- Skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema
- Open wounds or irritated skin (yes, that includes sunburn!)
- An acute illness
Let this winter be your season of intentional care and connection. Garshana and abhyanga are more than skin-deep—they’re a celebration of your body and its wisdom all year round.
Kathy Rivera (she/they/ella) is a trauma-informed energy medicine practitioner and first-generation queer healer. They’re passionate about supporting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities in reclaiming their magic, untangling generational trauma, and thriving unapologetically. Their journey began with their own healing, fueled by life’s challenges and a courageous leap from corporate America. Therapy, decolonizing belief systems, and embracing Buddhist practices and reclaiming earth-based wisdom led them to wholeness. Now, they share this wisdom, creating a nourishing space that blends therapeutic yoga, energy healing, and seasonal wellness practices for healing and transformation. A lifelong learner, continuously expanding her knowledge through studies in energy medicine, bodywork, earth-based wisdom, herbalism, and yoga. She also shares her insights through poetic articles, inspiring others on their paths to healing.
Ready to connect with Kathy and explore your own healing journey? Visit kathyrivera.co.
