13 May 2013

dry body brushing - a giveaway



Lethargy has been a heavy weight around my neck lately. Not the everyday sluggishness that comes from raising little people but that veil of tired that you can't lift when you wake in the morning; it seeps into your bones.  A major health check thankfully revealed nothing sinister so the cause of this hazy state is most likely one too many sugary cups of tea, frequent late nights and not enough water.

Elixirs have been made, greens consumed en masse and my sad water consumption has been given a hefty increase.  A naturpath visit has been booked and reflections have been made as to how I can shower myself with self love. A much loved ritual from the days before my babies has also found its place in my morning routine again and I am reaping it's benefits.

Dry body brushing is a simple and ancient practice of sweeping a dry brush over the skin before bathing. Each morning before my shower I dry brush my skin with a pure plant bristle brush from the tips of my toes to my face. Jodie Smith owner of  Bodecare provides an exceptional range of natural brushes for this nurturing and healing art. She explains that, "dry body brushing  is a natural health practice that assists with improving your circulation, lymphatic flow and expels wastes and toxins from the body. It also has the added benefits of exfoliating dry, rough skin and stimulating the sweat and oil glands contributing to the restoration of moist, supple skin.".

Starting on the left hand side of my body I begin at my toes sweeping  the natural bristled brush gently yet firmly in long sweeps working towards the lymph nodes in the groin, armpits and the base of the neck. I then switch to a more gentle jute brush for my decolletage, neck and face (Jodie outlines the practice in depth on her website). My skin is left tingling and glowing and I follow this gentle practice with a shower. Lemon essential oil dropped onto the floor of the shower further invigorate my senses as does the cold blast of water I dance about under at the end. This Ayurvedic tradition increases circulation and leaves me warm as toast.

Some mornings I wake with the sun and slowly and gently ease myself into the day giving myself wholey to this pampering and healing time. Other days, I have two little people either joining me with my body brushing or gawking at my every move. It has become a practice however, that I simply do not skip regardless of the chaos around me and even with poppets at my feet I always feel energised and uplifted afterwards.

The lovely Jodie of Bodecare is offering a magnificent pack of dry body brushing goodies to begin you on your dry body brushing journey including:
The Cactus FSC Deluxe Body Brush,
A Jute Dry Face Brush,
An instructional DVD on dry body brushing, and
A tea tree oil spray to take care of your brushes.

To enter you simply need to be a follower of this blog (over there on the right) and pop over to Jodie's Bodecare facebook page and become a "liker". For a second entry like this brown wren on facebook. For a third entry, share this giveaway on instagram, facebook or on your blog. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Open to international readers. The winner will be chosen by random generator one week from today.

Comments are now closed. The random generator chose #2 - belle. Some gorgeous body brushing goodies are coming your way. Congratulations!

Before introducing dry body brushing into your health and wellness regime please take note of the following precautions:
Never skin brush over active inflammation e.g. open wounds, inflamed sores, varicose veins, sunburnt skin
Never skin brush during an active cancer state or enlarged lymph nodes.
Avoid breasts and genitalia area.
If pregnant seek doctors advice before skin brushing.
A slight reddening of the skin (erythema) is normal, it the blood circulation responding to the brushing.
Using a natural bristle brush is best as the uneven texture will not scratch the skin.
It is essential to clean your body brush after each use with a tea tree oil spray and wash it thoroughly once a week.

Steph x

57 comments:

  1. Thank you for this post! I have been interested in this practice for a while now, and it seems to keep popping up in conversations and articles. I hope the synchronicity continues and I win!
    (I follow and love your blog already!) :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. ...and liked Bodecare on Facebook

    ReplyDelete
  3. I too enjoy the benefits of dry brushing, my wish for you is good health and strength and vitality to return to you,

    ReplyDelete
  4. ... And liked you on Facebook too :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read about the detoxifying benefits some time ago, but never went further with it. Definitely complementary to a nourishing diet. Perhaps you have convinced me :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. such a great post and giveaway! body brushing is something i tend to stop/start so i admire your commitment. fingers crossed i win! x

    ReplyDelete
  7. and i liked you on fb too x

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh goodie. Such perfect timing. My hubby used my body brush on his wet bald head and now its mouldy. After reading this post I know I have been doing it wrong too. Thanks for the chance to win, I follow this blog and liked Bodecare on fb. xx

    ReplyDelete
  9. And it was a pleasure to promote this comp on my facebook page. xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh dear, I was that excited sharing I forgot to actually comment! Love following you blog and have just visited and liked Bodecare on Facebook, what wonderful products they have

    ReplyDelete
  11. Of course have shared on fb and ig x x x

    ReplyDelete
  12. Liked and shared thanks for the heads up this sounds like me at the moment also with chest infection good luck all.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a super give-away. I am a dedicated body-brusher and that DVD would be fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fascinating, I'd love to give body-brushing a try ... and I'm amazed you manage to shower every morning!

    (Is it gross I just admitted that I skip showers because it seems to hectic with two little people around?)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not at all lovely! Used to be exactly the same. It is something I have just forced into the routine. It is by no means a leisurely affair but I feel all the better for it. Hope your week is lovely :) x

      Delete
  15. And I just went and liked your fb page (I'm Imogen Rowe).

    ReplyDelete
  16. A wonderful giveaway Steph. I have long heard of the fabulous benefits of dry body brushing, but am yet to give it a go myself. I would love to kick start this sluggish, tired body into gear!x

    ReplyDelete
  17. wonderful self care package Steph! Glad to hear your mind, body and spirit are benifiting from this too. I have long meant to give this a try, but alas, I haven't! now might be the time!!! Wishing you and your soul so much love and good health x

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like them on facebook and follow you on bloglovin :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. i adore the way the red wattle/gum nuts have dried ... lethargic of late .... hmm that's me x

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would love to be added into the draw for this. I really need some me time after looking aftern Tim for the past 4 weeks (we are still 4 weeks away from him putting on his own socks and shoes)
    I like both facebook pages.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I follow your blog(but don't have facebook)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've been an occasional body-brusher for years, but would love to learn more! My naturopathic doctor recommended it and its a practice I'd love to make into a daily ritual. (I follow your blog and liked Bodecare on FB)

    ReplyDelete
  23. This practice of dry brushing looks very interesting and I've wanted to try it for some time!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Liked Bodecare on FB

    ReplyDelete
  25. Liked this brown wren on FB

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am a follower and i like Bodecare on FB.
    This is a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for the gentle reminder on how important self love is xxx

    ReplyDelete
  27. Shared on FB...
    and my last comment was meant to say I like TBW on FB :) xx

    ReplyDelete
  28. i like you in every way possible :)!

    body brushing and i have an inconsistent relationship. whenever i make the time for it i always wonder why i ever stopped. so good.

    kel x

    ReplyDelete
  29. ooh, I understand the lethargic feeling, it's got me too! I follow your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. I think I might really need this! Yes please! xx

    ReplyDelete
  31. I follow the blog and liked Bodecare on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I liked this brown wren on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Gorgeous giveaway. I follow already :-)

    ReplyDelete
  34. I now follow you on Facebook under my personal page. Elaina xo

    ReplyDelete
  35. Am now following Bodecare on Facebook under my personal page too! Elaina xo

    ReplyDelete
  36. Great giveaway!
    gfc-ne-knopka
    fb-annushka s.

    Anna

    ksurty@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. i liked This brown wren on fb

    ReplyDelete
  38. I first about about body brushing and the benefits many many years ago. It's been presenting itself to me a few times recently. I think the universe is trying to tell me something. I'm a follower and have liked Bodecare on fb. x

    ReplyDelete
  39. This sounds just wonderful! Enjoy that little time to yourself. I have recently found your blog and enjoying following x

    ReplyDelete
  40. found your blog through tim coulson's page and have fallen in love with it. i keep hearing about body brushing, and maybe it would be just the thing to revive my tired mama skin.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I'm a follower of this blog and a liker of jodie's facebook page. I've been interested in body brushing for awhile. i'm excited about this giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  42. I liked this brown wren on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  43. My skin definitely needs this!! (and more probably)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Great post, even just to introduce this to people who've never heard of it before.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Sascadar likes this brown wren (my comments box ate your comment lovely!)

    ReplyDelete
  46. Liked this brown wren on facebook

    ReplyDelete
  47. And liked Bodecare on facebook. I'm a frequent skin brusher and rarely skip a day as I know my body needs it. Great to get more info on this wonderful elixir

    ReplyDelete
  48. this may just be what i need right now .... sounds beautiful as always xx

    ReplyDelete

Your words brighten my day! Thank-you so much for joining me on my adventure. x