Gua sha is a deeply relaxing ritual as it has you slowing down your breath, focusing on yourself and your breath - allowing you to rhythmically contour the face with your stone of choice to release muscle tension and activate the lymphatic system. The lymph system relies on external movement for its circulation, so exercise or massage help to move the fluid, and being sedentary, or being stationed behind a computer all day, contribute to stagnation, this is why we're usually puffiest in the morning, after we've been lying in bed all night. This is where facial gua sha comes in. With gentle pressure, in the correct directions, we encourage the lymphatic fluid to move along its pathways and drain into the body.