| ry Brush? | | | | doesn’t have a heart to pump its fluid around |
| Dry brushing is a premium detoxification method of | | | | the body. It relies on external factors. A major |
| the skin and lymphatic system. The skin is the largest | | | | external factor that moves lymph fluid is skeletal |
| cleansing organ in the body and takes care of a | | | | muscle contraction, or exercise! Vinyasa Yoga is an |
| quarter of the body’s detox requirements | | | | excellent modality to move lymph fluid since its |
| each day. Dry skin brushing stimulates the organs of | | | | movements contract alternating muscle groups |
| detoxification through massage. It has a whole bunch | | | | allowing for optimal lymph circulation. |
| of benefits. The superficial ones include: removing | | | | And of course a great compliment to daily exercise is |
| cellulite, tightening the skin to prevent premature | | | | a regular dry brush to keep the lymph system |
| aging, and removing dead skins layers! The deeper | | | | flowing! |
| benefits of the dry brush technique are the | | | | What is a Dry Brush and where can I find one? |
| improvements to lymphatic function. It strengthens | | | | A dry brush is a brush made of dense stiff bristles. |
| the immune system, stimulates hormone producing | | | | They can be found at any health store and grocery |
| glands, and stimulates circulation. | | | | stores like Whole Foods Markets and Capers. |
| Why do I Care About the Lymph System? | | | | How to Dry Skin Brush? |
| Transports transport important molecules to be | | | | The lymphatic fluid only flows in one direction which is |
| cleansed by the lymphatic organs (spleen, thymus | | | | towards the heart, so it is important to brush in the |
| gland, lymph nodes, liver, and tonsils.) These | | | | same direction. If we brushed away from the heart it |
| important molecules include: fat soluble vitamins like A, | | | | puts extra pressure on the valves within the veins |
| D, E and K, foreign particles and microorganisms. As a | | | | and lymphatic vessels and can results in ruptured |
| Microbiologist I know that if the lymph system is not | | | | vessels and varicose veins. We sure do not want any |
| flowing properly then the immune system does not | | | | of that! So make sure to dry brush up the legs, arms |
| get a chance to kill invading foreign particles and | | | | and body towards the heart. The back is the |
| microorganisms. This includes cancerous cells. | | | | exception to the rule. Brush from the neck down |
| The lymphatic system does not have a system to | | | | towards the low back. Try to use long sweeping |
| drain its fluid. A good comparison is the circulatory | | | | strokes. This can be a little uncomfortable at first |
| system. The heart pumps the blood around our body | | | | though. I started with short light strokes and have |
| to pick up Oxygen at the lungs, deposit it at our | | | | worked up to long harder ones. |
| tissues and organs, and goes back for more. As long | | | | Always dry brush before you bathe to wash away |
| as the heart keeps pumping the blood moves around. | | | | any impurities from the skin after a good dry skin |
| And when it doesn’t we aren’t alive! | | | | brushing session. |
| Pretty important function! The lymph system | | | | |