During your stay at our retreat we recommend using dry skin brushing rather than soap.

Dry brushing the skin, the largest organ of the body, has many benefits especially when undergoing detoxification. It stimulates the flow of the lymph system which transports lymph, a clear colorless fluid containing white blood cells that helps rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. In addition the natural bristle brush exfoliates the skin, helping the body to slough off dead cells on the surface of the skin. By sloughing off the dead skin cells, the body’s ability to detox is greatly enhanced which also promotes healthy circulation.

Dry skin brushing eliminates dead cells and helps new skin to regenerate; it also stimulates blood circulation, the lymphatic system, and greatly enhances toxin elimination. It opens the pores of the skin allowing elimination through sweat. It also stimulates the immune system. In addition, the massaging effect of the bristles is known to be highly beneficial for eliminating cellulite.

Brushing the skin gently is considered to be one of the best natural lymphatic cleansers available.

Directions for skin brushing

• The body should be dry and naked.
• Do the dry skin brushing in the morning in the bathtub prior to taking your bath/shower and again later in the shower, prior to taking your sauna.
• Never let the brush or loofa get wet – this is always practiced on dry skin.
• Using a natural fiber brush or loofa sponge (if you have sensitive skin you can use a face cloth instead), brush skin once or twice in the same direction, across every surface of the body except the face.
• Do not scrub, massage, or rotate the brush on the body; just sweep it across the skin in long smooth strokes in the direction of the heart.
• Brush up the arms from hands to shoulders, up the legs from feet to hips, down the back and torso, up the buttocks, down the neck, and across the shoulders. Also brush under your feet.
• Start with your feet moving your way up towards the heart with repeated medium size light strokes covering the entire surface of your body.
• Start with your feet, one leg first, then move to the other leg. Use clockwise strokes on the belly, chest and armpit. On the upper part of the chest the motions should be directed downward, towards the heart. Then work on the arms starting with the hands, all the way towards the shoulders.
• Areas of broken skin or rashes should be avoided while areas of dryness or cellulites should be brushed more intensely.
• The entire process should take no longer than a minute, and should be done while the skin is dry.
• The diagram on the below will help you to see in which direction to brush for different parts of the body to stimulate lymph flow.