Garshana (pronounced gar-shan), often called “dry-brushing,” is ayurvedic lymphatic massage that helps remove ama (digestive toxins). In Sanskrit, garshana means “friction by rubbing.” Garshana is an exfoliating lymphatic massage using raw silk or wool gloves, toward your heart. We use long strokes over limbs and circles over joints.

The Garshana massage is ideally suited to Kapha dosha types. During this stimulating massage, raw silk gloves are worn by the practitioner in order to create friction on the surface of the skin. The friction increases blood circulation, helping to oxygenate the cells and stimulate the removal of accumulated toxins. It promotes weight loss and clears away clogging impurities that might cause problems such as cellulite.

Garshana is followed by abhyanga oil massage and is then typically followed by Swedana (steam box therapy) to further stimulate detoxification of the cells and pores through sweating. It also improves the tone of the skin, improves digestive capacity, awakens the energy sources, and alleviates sluggishness.