Exploring Face Yoga, Gua Sha, Dry Body Brushing & Acupressure
In a world that moves quickly and asks so much of us, self-care becomes less about indulgence and more about intention. True self-care is not something we rush through—it’s something we return to. A ritual. A pause. A way of listening to the body and nervous system with compassion.
Ancient wellness practices like face yoga, gua sha, dry body brushing, and acupressure offer simple yet powerful ways to release tension, improve circulation, and invite calm back into the body. These practices can be woven into your daily or weekly routine as grounding rituals that support both physical vitality and emotional ease.
Face Yoga: Softening the Face, Calming the Mind
We often hold stress in our faces without realizing it—tight jaws, furrowed brows, lifted shoulders. Face yoga uses gentle movements, stretches, and intentional relaxation to release tension in the facial muscles while increasing circulation and awareness.
Benefits of face yoga include:
Reduced jaw, neck, and facial tension
Improved circulation and lymphatic flow
A more relaxed, lifted, and refreshed appearance
A calming effect on the nervous system
Try this simple practice:
Take a slow inhale and gently lift the corners of your mouth into a soft smile. As you exhale, release the jaw and let the tongue rest on the floor of the mouth. Repeat several times, allowing the face to soften from the inside out.
Face yoga is not about striving for perfection—it’s about presence, ease, and learning to relax where we often grip.
Gua Sha: A Moving Meditation for the Face & Body
Gua sha is an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, traditionally used to move stagnant energy (qi) and promote circulation. When practiced gently on the face and neck, it becomes a soothing ritual that supports lymphatic drainage and relaxation.
Benefits of gua sha:
Encourages lymphatic flow and detoxification
Relieves muscle tension in the face, neck, and shoulders
Supports circulation and skin vitality
Creates a deeply calming, meditative experience
Using a smooth stone tool and a few drops of facial oil, allow your strokes to be slow and intentional. Think less about “doing” and more about listening—letting the rhythm of the practice guide you into stillness.
Staineless-Steel Gua Sha
Elevate your skincare routine with the Kitsch Stainless Steel Gua Sha Facial Tool. Made from 100% stainless steel, this sleek and durable tool helps sculpt the face, reduce puffiness, and promote lymphatic drainage - all without the fragility of traditional stone tools. The balanced weight provides enhanced control for both facial and body massage, while the non-porous surface stays hygienic and easy to clean. A modern essential for daily self-care with a clean, minimalist edge.
Dry Body Brushing: Energizing the Body, Clearing the Mind
Dry body brushing is a simple Ayurvedic ritual traditionally practiced before bathing. Using a natural-bristle brush, you sweep the skin in long, gentle strokes toward the heart.
Benefits of dry body brushing:
Stimulates lymphatic drainage
Increases circulation and energy
Gently exfoliates the skin
Awakens the body and supports detoxification
This practice can feel both invigorating and grounding—especially when done with mindful breathing. It’s a beautiful way to reconnect with your body first thing in the morning or to gently reset after a long day.
Dry Body Brush
EcoTools Dry Body Brush is best for exfoliating and smoothing the skin
Dry brushing regularly can help get rid of dryness- Brush your legs, arms, and torso using gentle strokes to achieve your softest skin yet
Body brush is best used on dry skin before showering for optimal results
EcoTools designs high-quality bath accessories for both men and women
Made with synthetic, cruelty-free bristles & designed with a 100% renewable bamboo handle that fits in the palm of your hand
Acupressure for Stress Relief: Points of Calm
Acupressure works with the body’s energy pathways to help release tension and restore balance. With just your fingertips, you can access powerful points that signal the nervous system to relax.
A few calming points to explore:
Third Eye (Yintang): Between the eyebrows—supports relaxation and mental clarity
Heart 7: On the inner wrist crease—helps calm anxiety and emotional stress
Pericardium 6: Three finger widths below the wrist crease—soothes the nervous system and supports deep breathing
Apply gentle pressure while breathing slowly, staying for 30–60 seconds at each point.
Creating Your Own Self-Care Ritual
The beauty of these practices lies in their simplicity. You don’t need to do everything at once. Choose one or two rituals that resonate and allow them to become moments of devotion—to your body, your breath, your well-being.
Light a candle. Put your phone away. Move slowly. Let your self-care be less about fixing and more about feeling.
When practiced consistently, these rituals become more than techniques—they become reminders that rest is productive, presence is healing, and you are worthy of care exactly as you are.