What is facial yoga?
The first thing to understand is that facial yoga does not involve postures such as stretcher pose or downward facing dog, which you are familiar with from your yoga practice. "Facial yoga is simply a form of facial exercise that moves the facial muscles into specific positions - a bit like yoga asanas. Performing these exercises will make your face look tighter and younger, lifting sagging areas and giving you a more youthful appearance.
The aim of facial yoga is to improve blood circulation, make you look radiant and reduce stress and tension in the face, which we keep tense most of the time, both in our facial expressions and in our bodies. This is why we need to focus more on relaxing our facial muscles to get rid of facial tension.
Benefits of facial yoga.
Tension can be released to minimise the appearance of wrinkles
Strengthens and tones the facial muscles, eventually widening the eyes, lifting the cheeks and tightening the chin
Increases blood circulation to the skin for a glowing complexion
Smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and fights the effects of gravity
Dermatologists say the goal of facial yoga is to increase the blood and oxygen supply to the skin, thereby improving the longevity of cells.
5 recommended facial yoga exercises for at-home practice
Here are five exercises that skin specialists recommend using. It is recommended to start with 5 to 10 minutes of practice per day and gradually increase to 15 to 20 minutes per day as part of your self skin care routine.
1. Cheek lift
Open your mouth and form an o-shape. Place the upper lip above the teeth and smile to lift the cheek muscles. Gently place your index finger above the cheek muscles, directly below your eyes. Relax the cheek muscles to lower them. Then smile again, pushing the muscles towards the eyes. Repeat lowering and lifting the cheeks 10 times. For the 10th time, lift the muscles as high as possible and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat three times.
2. Smiling face
Smile without showing your teeth and curl your lips up as if trying to show as much as possible. Try smiling at the corners of your mouth and you will feel a slight stretch at the corners. Press your index finger into the corner of your mouth and slide your finger upwards to your cheekbone as you press into the muscle. Lift the muscle upwards to the cheekbone, towards the corner of the eye. When you reach the top of the cheekbone, hold for 20 seconds and feel the cheek muscles tighten. Keep a smile at the corners of your mouth. Repeat three times.
3. Brow lift
Press three fingertips under your eyebrows, forcing your eyes open. Smile as you press your eyebrows into your fingers. Hold. Then close your eyes and roll your eyebrows towards the top of your head. Hold for 20 seconds and keep smiling. Release and repeat three times.
4. Chin and neck lift
Open your mouth and make an "Ahh" Sound. Fold your lower lip and the corners of your lips into your mouth and tighten your jaw as you stretch it forward. Using your lower jaw, slowly lift it upwards as you close your mouth, pulling your chin upwards about 1 inch each time you lift your chin and tilt your head back. Open and close your jaw 10 times. On the 10th time, your chin should be pointing towards the ceiling. Hold this position for 20 seconds and repeat three times.
5. Solar plexus massage
With your mouth closed, press your fingertips into your temples while clenching your teeth and lifting your chin upwards. Clenching your teeth and focusing on the temple area, try to move your ears back. Hold for 10 seconds, then clench your back teeth and hold for 10 seconds. Your temple muscles should flex with each press. Relax and repeat three times.
