Dinacharya Series: How to Practice Udvartana

Dinacharya Series: How to Practice Udvartana

In this video, I am going to be showing you how to perform the Dinacharya practice of Udvartana or herbal exfoliation. The second step in the Ayurvedic Body Care practice is Udvartana or herbal exfoliation. Udvartana is similar to Garshana but it uses a herbal body cleanser instead of garshana gloves. To begin, you will spoon ⅛ to ¼ cup of an Ayurvedic herbal body cleanser into a small bowl. This can be a simple recipe of chickpea or lentil flour with a small amount of turmeric or aloe vera powder added. You will then add enough water to make a paste, not too thick, not too watery. While in the shower, you will apply the paste to the skin. You will use circular strokes on the joints and long strokes on the long limbs. Begin by using some paste and applying it to the skin in long strokes on the hands, forearms and upper arms and circular strokes on the elbows, wrists and shoulders. Applying more herbal body powder as needed. Then move down the body, applying more paste to the skin and using clockwise circular strokes on your stomach, heart and then buttocks and hips. Continue down the body, applying more herbal body cleanser paste to the legs and feet. Use long strokes on the thighs and calves and circular strokes on the knees, ankles and feet. Once you have applied the Herbal Body Cleanser to the entire body, rinse off with water in the shower or bath. Now press play on the video and follow along as you are led through the Ayurvedic Dinacharya practice of Udvartana.

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