My body demanded the same attention.
You probably already know what gua sha is; heck, you might even partake. But the practice is mostly talked about in reference to the face. I was regularly sweeping a gua sha stone across my jaw, cheeks and forehead, but a quick online search turned up plenty of evidence that the magic I so appreciated north of my neck would happen south of it, too. The skin-plumping, tension-releasing, muscle-soothing benefits of facial gua sha also happen with body gua sha, along with purported benefits like diminishing the appearance of dimpled skin, and aiding with sleep.
I was sold.
I was sold.
"
Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, gua sha means “scraping,” which is apt since the practice involves using a specialized stone tool to “scrape” across the skin in targeted patterns, stimulating the lymphatic system, increasing blood flow, breaking up stagnation in the body, and releasing tension in fascia, muscles, and skin.”
The first thing to know about gua sha is that there are a lot of options when it comes to tools: different stones, all with different sides and angles; seemingly endless oil choices; additional activators to amp up your ritual. I decided to try out a four-part bodywork system, to help release tight muscles, stimulate lymph flow, and smooth out the skin’s surface.
One less decision to make? Yes, please.
One less decision to make? Yes, please.
STEP ONE: DETOXIFY
Every few days (or when I’m feeling particularly tight), I strip down in the middle of my bathroom and dry brush my entire body. Taking my time, I use slow, gentle, upward strokes, working towards my heart. This first step is meant to stimulate the lymphatic system so it can effectively move and drain toxins and stagnation, and prime tissue and fascia for the workout the gua sha is about to provide. Then I hop in the shower to make sure I’m starting with a clean slate and also to prime my skin for the products that come next.
Every few days (or when I’m feeling particularly tight), I strip down in the middle of my bathroom and dry brush my entire body. Taking my time, I use slow, gentle, upward strokes, working towards my heart. This first step is meant to stimulate the lymphatic system so it can effectively move and drain toxins and stagnation, and prime tissue and fascia for the workout the gua sha is about to provide. Then I hop in the shower to make sure I’m starting with a clean slate and also to prime my skin for the products that come next.
STEP TWO: ACTIVATE
After a quick towel dry, I spritz an activating mist over my legs, torso, chest and arms. This may be a new step for you in the gua sha ritual — it was for me. The serum, infused with French seaweed to mineralize and detox the skin, is a sensory thrill: it simultaneously smells like a warm cup of tea and forest after it rains, and you can really feel it working its hydrating, toning magic.
After a quick towel dry, I spritz an activating mist over my legs, torso, chest and arms. This may be a new step for you in the gua sha ritual — it was for me. The serum, infused with French seaweed to mineralize and detox the skin, is a sensory thrill: it simultaneously smells like a warm cup of tea and forest after it rains, and you can really feel it working its hydrating, toning magic.
STEP THREE: NOURISH
Step three is a full-body application of the ultra-nourishing Aura Oil to boost circulation, promote lymph activation, and heal scar tissue. Packed with wild rose pepper, helichrysum and wild mastic, this oil is specifically designed for body gua sha. Sure, you could use whatever you have laying around, but this specific formulation is key to what comes next.
Step three is a full-body application of the ultra-nourishing Aura Oil to boost circulation, promote lymph activation, and heal scar tissue. Packed with wild rose pepper, helichrysum and wild mastic, this oil is specifically designed for body gua sha. Sure, you could use whatever you have laying around, but this specific formulation is key to what comes next.
STEP FOUR: RELEASE & SMOOTH
Once my skin is fully coated, it’s time for the main event. Starting at my ankles, I use the Aura Stone’s U-edge to perform upward strokes along my legs, before doing the same on my arms from wrist to shoulder. Then I move to my stomach, where the wavy edge of the stone delivers serious fascial smoothing and lymphatic drainage as I gua sha in circular, counterclockwise strokes. Then the real fun starts: a series of pressured, upward strokes instantly leave my constantly-tight lower back immediately relaxed, downward strokes on my neck erase all evidence of hunching over a keyboard and phone all day, and sweeping the stone across my chest opens it up like the world’s best fish pose.
Start to finish, the whole process takes about 30 minutes, but I also really luxuriate in it and take my time. For me, it’s worth it to set aside that precious time a few nights a week to focus on easing the tension that so quickly builds up in my body, soothing my constantly-tight muscles, and making sure the skin that’s not on my face is equally cared for. (You too may want to take it slow — oily hands plus a smooth stone can lead to some unintentional clumsiness and droppage if you speed through.) Now, this half hour is a crucial part of my self-care practice: not only does it afford me time to myself where I don’t have to think about anything but after only a few body gua sha sessions, I'm already noticing plumper, more hydrated skin, looser muscles, and, surprisingly, better posture.
I may still have several more months of hibernation in front of me, but it’s helpful to know I have a new self-care ritual to add to the repertoire, one that I don’t see myself abandoning any time soon.
Once my skin is fully coated, it’s time for the main event. Starting at my ankles, I use the Aura Stone’s U-edge to perform upward strokes along my legs, before doing the same on my arms from wrist to shoulder. Then I move to my stomach, where the wavy edge of the stone delivers serious fascial smoothing and lymphatic drainage as I gua sha in circular, counterclockwise strokes. Then the real fun starts: a series of pressured, upward strokes instantly leave my constantly-tight lower back immediately relaxed, downward strokes on my neck erase all evidence of hunching over a keyboard and phone all day, and sweeping the stone across my chest opens it up like the world’s best fish pose.
Start to finish, the whole process takes about 30 minutes, but I also really luxuriate in it and take my time. For me, it’s worth it to set aside that precious time a few nights a week to focus on easing the tension that so quickly builds up in my body, soothing my constantly-tight muscles, and making sure the skin that’s not on my face is equally cared for. (You too may want to take it slow — oily hands plus a smooth stone can lead to some unintentional clumsiness and droppage if you speed through.) Now, this half hour is a crucial part of my self-care practice: not only does it afford me time to myself where I don’t have to think about anything but after only a few body gua sha sessions, I'm already noticing plumper, more hydrated skin, looser muscles, and, surprisingly, better posture.
I may still have several more months of hibernation in front of me, but it’s helpful to know I have a new self-care ritual to add to the repertoire, one that I don’t see myself abandoning any time soon.
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