A Detox Practice Without the Diet
- Tashira Mone’
- May 25
- 11 min read
Dry Brushing & Lymphatic Flow: How to Support Your Body’s Circulation & Detox Naturally
I stepped off the plane ten pounds lighter. 10lbs down in 3 days! No crash diets. No juice cleanse. Just a weekend of movement, walking the streets of New York with my. bestie, sweating and cold plunging at The Bath House, one soul cycle class, and a massage that 100% qualifies as a professional adjustment and alignment.
I couldn’t help but wonder: How Tho?
How did my body let go of so much, so fast? I knew it wasn't fat, not that much, that quick, that I knew, so what was it I lost, 10lbs of what exactly!?
How was my skin glowing, my belly flat, my energy alive....without restriction or deprivation?
I ate like normal (not like as a tourist, like how I do at home, still mindful, but not restrictive).
Then I noticed I hadn't felt bloated in a few days either. Hmmm...
So I asked myself—what did all those practices I immersed in have in common?
The answer came clear and simple:movement and flow.
Walking: steady rhythm, feet on the earth, circulation awakening → movement + flow
Salt soaks and saunas: sweating out the stagnant, soothing inflammation → flow
Massage therapy/Bodywork: deep bodywork that worked with my spine, not just my skin—pulling, pressing, twisting, unwinding patterns, releasing stuck tension, and removing blocks → flow
Indoor cycling: breath synced with movement, heart pumping strong → movement + flow
Cold plunging: a jolt to the system, blood rushing, channels opening → flow
Every ritual I chose—consciously or not—was a call back to my body’s natural wisdom.To move. To release. To circulate.To flow again.
The loss of 10 pounds was very likely inflammation, water retention, and possibly even stagnant lymph or visceral fat
So this got my mind thinking, I actually became obsessed with it once I got home and stepped on the scale, how can I do that, here...at home, in my day to day?... and also, let's unpack this "flow" feature we have...
🌿 Ayurvedic Insight: Your Body’s Inner Rivers
Under your skin lives a quiet, unseen network—a system designed to carry waste away from your tissues, toward your body’s natural drainage points.
This system is called the lymphatic system, but I like to think of it as the inner rivers.
In Ayurveda, the lymphatic system is connected to the Rasa Dhatu—the body's layer of nourishment, hydration, and immune health. The flow happens through subtle channels called Srotas, invisible rivers beneath your skin that transport nutrients, waste, and energy. Practices like dry brushing, gentle massage, and mindful movement help keep these rivers clear, promoting detoxification, hydration, and radiant health.
When the rivers flow, you glow.
"Srotas" are pathways through which all substances move—nutrients, waste, thoughts, emotions, aka: Channels of Flow
Unlike blood, which is pumped by the heart, these rivers have no pump.They rely on Movement. Breath. Muscle contraction. Massage. Touch.
When these rivers flow, we feel light, clear, radiant.
When they stagnate? We feel bloated, heavy, puffy, tired.
So let's break down how these different activities played a part in lymphatic drainage!
The Cold 🧊 Plunge.
Cold plunging played a powerful role in this transformation. It triggered vasoconstriction, pushed stagnant lymph and fluid toward drainage points, and then opened the floodgates as fresh circulation returned. The shock to my system woke up something deeper: not just my metabolism, but my presence. In Ayurveda, we honor these moments as a form of energetic reset—clearing the channels (srotas), reawakening prana, and restoring flow on every level.
Stepping into that cold plunge wasn’t just physical, it was ancestral.My blood vessels tightened, my breath caught. And then, release. A rush...of life. First breathlessness, shock, the desire to give up, the feeling of a cold internal shattering, followed by that euphoric moment when you realize...you are in control of the entire experience, through breath.
It also reminded me that my body is capable of moving stuck energy, inflammation, and old stories. That plunge was part of my Winter to Spring shift. The letting go. The melting. The shedding. And the 10lb release I never saw coming. And I did it over, and over and over again that day at The Bath House.
Sometimes the body needs a gentle shock—a reset. Inflammation, stagnant energy, emotional stress—they all can cause internal congestion, creating heaviness and slowing the body's natural flow, which of course effect digestion, nutrient absorption, and elimination to name a few. Cold plunging offers your body exactly this: a jolt to clear stagnation, reduce inflammation, and awaken every cell, bringing you instantly into presence and awareness.
Intentionally submerging yourself in very cold water up to your shoulders, typically lasting just a few minutes, is a brief but intense experience. Your breath catches, your heart races, your entire system is activated. It feels challenging at first, but quickly shifts into clarity and renewal as your body adapts. Afterwards, Dopamine like a mug! #Thankyouuuu 😬
That incredible, euphoric sensation after stepping out of the cold plunge?! That's your body's natural high—a surge of dopamine and endorphins rushing through you. It leaves you clear, alert, energized, and buzzing with life hours after. A true reset from the inside out.
HOW it helped release stagnation and inflammation:
The initial shock of cold water constricts your blood vessels, pulling blood inward toward vital organs.
Upon stepping out, fresh oxygenated blood rushes back, creating a powerful "flushing" effect on your circulatory and lymphatic systems. There can be no detox, without unobstructed flow!
This rhythmic contraction and expansion moves stagnant lymph, clears inflammation, and revitalizes tissues (which is why I did multiple rounds, alternating with short sessions
in the sauna paired with ritualistic deep breathing).
It activates your body's innate healing responses, calming inflammation, and reducing puffiness and fluid retention.
Energetically and emotionally, it shifts you immediately into a state of presence, clearing away mental fog and stress, letting you release deeply held tension and emotional blocks.
The Massage.
This was not a gentle spa massage. It was intentional, intense bodywork—the kind where the practitioner uses leverage, pressure, and stretches to mobilize the spine, decompress joints, and literally untangle patterns. I would say most likely a blend of Thai massage, myofascial release, and intuitive alignment. I was being pulled, compressed, stretched, and opened. It was great!
My massage was also at The Bath House. And I did it after my cold plunges and salt soaks. After my massage, I did more sauna, deep breathing and one last cold plunge followed by intense hydration and a nutrient rich meal mainly veggies and protein.
I was clearly carrying layers of tension, some physical, some emotional, some energetic. Even with movement, like all the walking and that intense cycling (look up soul cycle if you don't know), certain patterns of holding remain embedded in the deeper layers of fascia, joints, and posture. Massage offers release and recalibration that passive practices can't reach. So, start treating yourself to high quality massages. Pay good money for it!
🌊 HOW it helped move weight, inflammation, and stagnation:
Stimulated lymphatic flow by compressing and releasing tissues (like wringing a sponge)
Activated the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing me to effortlessly shift into healing and digestion mode
Released adhesions in fascia that hold tension and “trap” inflammation or emotional residue
Restored postural alignment, freeing breath, circulation, and nerve pathways
Gave my body the green light to let go—fluid, toxins, even emotional holding patterns
The 🚴🏽♀️ Soul Cycling.
Soul Cycling was more than exercise. It was a ritual rhythm, a song of breath and movement that didn’t just work my muscles, it worked my spirit. Each push of the pedals wasn’t just cardio, it was a release through internal fire. A way to push out old stories and stuck emotions, to find my way back to a beat I’d forgotten how to hear, or one I forgot I had.
There’s something sacred about rhythm—the way it pulls you in, the way it weaves your breath, your pulse, your presence into a single flow. The music pulsed through the room like a heartbeat. Every drop of sweat represented Life, reminded me "I Am alive", every beat of the song as an invitation to keep going and let go.
It was intensity and ease, challenge and surrender.
In that space, I didn’t just exercise—I remembered how to move with life again. How to flow
Soul Cycling is rhythmic indoor cycling set to energizing music, guided by an instructor who encourages you to sync breath, rhythm, and intention. It's movement with purpose, intensity, and soul—beyond just physical exertion, it’s a ritualistic release
Cardio movement isn’t just about burning calories, it’s about igniting your inner fire. Cycling, especially in the rhythmic, soul-filled atmosphere of a class, helps your body release trapped energy, improves circulation, and moves stagnant emotions. It creates space for both physical detox and emotional release.
I won't lie, I cramped up bad after my class. I couldn't even take 2 steps without an intense charlie horse. Why?, because I signed up for a class that started an hour after I got to my room and off the flight, and had not even ate the entire day. So I was already depleted. Thank God, there was a smoothie and juice bar right next door where I immediatley replenished with a green goddess smoothie (banana, avocado, apple, spirulina, cinnamon, maca powder and coconut water), which was everything I needed.
HOW cycling helped move stagnation and support flow:
Boosted cardiovascular health, rapidly improving circulation, flushing toxins and lymphatic congestion.
Rhythmic pedaling and synchronized breathing encouraged deep diaphragmatic breaths, activating natural detox pathways.
Intense yet mindful exercise releases stored tension and emotions, freeing energy stuck in tissues and muscles.
Walking provides the same kind of effects, it's just more gentle + it's also grounding. This is why it's recommended to walk at least 30 minutes a day, preferably outside, no matter how old you are, or what stage of life you are in. It's the least you can do for your lymphatic system, for your internal river!
So I came to the realization, the answer wasn’t in calories or cleanses. It was in flow!!!
I had unknowingly given my body what it was quietly asking for: movement, flow and release!!!
I had supported my lymph—the body’s hidden drainage system.
And when I returned home, I knew I wanted to keep that flow alive.
That’s when I re-membered an ancient and powerful practice I learned and practiced in my early days of Ayurvedic Medicine: dry brushing.
What is Dry Brushing?
Dry brushing is a simple, ancient practice to encourage circulation and detox. Every brushstroke opens the channels, sweeps the currents, awakens circulation.
Dry brushing is exactly what it sounds like: using a firm-bristled brush on dry skin, brushing in long strokes toward the heart.
It gently exfoliates the skin, yes and super plus. But the magic goes deeper.
Each stroke wakes up the body’s natural detox pathways—the ones that help clear out waste, puffiness, and sluggishness.
It’s a simple way to remind your body:
You’re not meant to be stagnant. You’re meant to move. Stagnation creates dis-ease.
Benefits of Dry Brushing (Beyond Smooth Skin)
Dry brushing does more than exfoliate.It supports the deeper flow of your body’s cleansing system.
Benefits may include:
Supporting natural detox pathways
Reducing puffiness and water retention
Boosting circulation for a healthy glow
Awakening the nervous system (a natural energizer)
For me, it became more than skincare. It became a necessary self care ritual. So let's get into how I recreated what I did in NY! First, here is how you dry brush...
My Flow: Dry Brushing + Oil Ritual
Here’s how I practice:
I dry brush before my shower or bath, on dry skin.
Starting at the soles of my feet, I brush upward toward my heart. Always brush towards the heart 🫀. Long strokes up the legs. Circular motions around knees and joints.
I brush up my arms, armpits towards the chest, across my belly in gentle clockwise circles, toward the chest—always moving toward the heart.
After brushing, I massage warm Ayurvedic herbal oil into my skin. In Ayurveda, this is called Abhyanga, but you can simply think of it as a nourishing self-massage.
I let the oil soak in for about 15–20 minutes, letting it feed my skin, calm my nerves, reach my deeper layers (joints, and tissues) and ground my energy.
I then soak in my warm bath or take a warm shower, using soap only for armpits and privates, letting the water and oil rinse the rest of me.
When it's time to get out (whether bath or shower), I'll turn the shower all the way on cold, followed by 8 deep long breaths rinsing under cold water (this is my DIY cold plunge).
You should be still moisturized from the oil when you get out (unless you washed it off with your harsh soap forgetting oil removes dirt) but If needed, you can seal in extra moisture with a little more oil afterward.
I do this 2-3 times weekly (that's Dosha and location specific).
This simple rhythm leaves me feeling both light and rooted. Clear and calm. Energized and nourished. I typically do this in the morning, to start my day, but do what works for you. It doesn't matter.
In doing this, I've been maintaining the weight I was when I returned (as long as I stick to my gut friendly diet).
How to Start Your Own Ritual
You don’t need fancy tools. Just a natural-bristle brush (with or without a handle).
But if you want fancy tools and special oils, I'll drop links below.
Here’s how:
Always brush before your bath or shower, on dry skin.
Always brush toward your heart 🫀 → upward on legs and arms, clockwise on belly
So imagine a clock on your stomach, your hand moves: from lower right side of your belly → up to your right rib cage → across your upper abdomen under your ribs from right to left → and down the left side of your belly toward your left hip, and back around 🔄.
This mimics the path of the large intestine and supports digestive flow, bloating relief, and lymphatic drainage.
Use gentle, firm pressure—it should feel stimulating, not painful.
Brush each area 5–10 times.
After brushing, you can:
Massage warm oil into your skin (toward your heart 🫀), let it soak in 15–20 minutes, then bathe or shower
Moisturize again if needed after your shower.
That’s it. Just a few minutes a day, a few days a week or daily if you live in a humid area or often feel heavy and congested, to clear your channels and return to flow. Wanna be extra? Follow up with something soothing for your digestion, like warm herbal tea.
Why This Ritual Matters
When I started dry brushing, it wasn’t about weight loss. It wasn’t about chasing perfect skin.
It was about moving again .Flowing again. Listening again. And not allowing myself to get that stagnant again.
In a world that teaches us to grind, hustle, and numb, that rest is lazy and unproductive, this practice became a quiet rebellion. A way to say:
"Fuck Off"
Every stroke reminds me that my sole purpose each day is to care for self, to honor self, nourish self and move for self. It's about Me! Period. The quality and experience of everything else you do in a day, work, tend to your relationships, etc. ultimately depends on the quality of your self care. Are YOU ok?
Do you demand in your life time for self care? Whether it be rest, soaking ,walking or simply being without guilt.
Or do you try to squeeze it in between the demands of everything and everyone else?
Is your rest, your walk, your soak, your stillness…a non-negotiable?
Or is it the first thing to go when life gets loud?
If you’ve been feeling heavy, bloated, puffy, tired, unmotivated or feeling disconnected …Try this routine. Devote to it for at least two weeks.
Feel what moves.
Here’s to living in rhythm 🥂.
Fancy and Enhancing Tools:
Favorite Abhyanga oils for Summer:
Don't forget to use "Tashiramone15" for 15% off Kerala Products
Every stroke of the brush is a message. A reminder. A clearing.
A way of telling your body:
“I see you. I feel you. I hear you. I care for you. I honor your need for flow.”
If you’ve been feeling:
heavy, bloated, puffy
tired, unmotivated, low drive
disconnected and off beat
stagnant, congested
Or Having:
aches, joint pain, back pain, especially things like sciatica
irregular bowels whether it be constipation or sticky bowels
Muscle twitching, especially at night when laying down
difficulty focusing
brain fog
…If you’ve been craving a deeper connection to your body’s wisdom…If you’re ready to listen, to release, to flow again…
Dry brushing is a beautiful place to begin.
And if you’re curious about how to weave this practice, and others like it, into a more holistic, personalized wellness rhythm, I’d love to support you.
I offer Ayurvedic counseling as a monthly space for personalized guidance, whether you’re exploring digestion, nervous system regulation, hormonal balance, or simply learning to live more in tune with your natural cycles. You can choose one initial consultation, or continue after your initial with monthly check ins to support your ongoing journey, changes and challenges.
We walk together. We listen to your body. We create a rhythm that’s uniquely yours.
Want to learn more?
Remember, The Only Way Out, Is In...
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