Does your face needs exercise? Find out how facial yoga can help to keep you looking young and the many other surprising benefits of this unusual workout!
Written by Amanda
“Aging gracefully” can be a frightening figure of speech in our world filled with anti-wrinkle crèmes and serums loaded with toxins and chemicals. But what if there was an easier, more natural way of boosting youthful beauty without harmful ingredients? Or even a cream?
Well, there is: Facial yoga!
You read that correctly – facial yoga, the trending practice that claims to maintain your beauty, naturally!
It certainly seems strange to think that our faces need exercise, let alone yoga, but an increasing number of people think they do. In fact, here are 7 surprising reasons why facial yoga can be an excellent addition to any beauty regiment – plus a gallery of facial yoga poses that you can do at home 🙂
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It’s less expensive than cosmetic surgery and over the counter crèmes
Unlike its overpriced competitors, facial yoga costs nothing! It requires only a couple of minutes periodically throughout the day. When compared to the time spent undergoing expensive treatments, or in the store purchasing nighttime crèmes (that aren’t guaranteed to work), it almost seems silly not to give facial yoga a try.
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And it’s better for you, too
As natural-living aficionados, Botox is at the top of our toxic no-no list. It is literally like a venom. Additionally, most anti-aging creams contain paraffins, mineral oil, heavy fragrances and other undesirable ingredients. Facial yoga is 100% natural and without harmful chemicals. No needles, no second guessing whether a “youthful glow” is worth the toxins or not.
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It may slow down the aging process
The more we smile, squint, or become tense, the more wrinkles we accumulate through the years. While this is a natural part of life, facial yoga can help slow the progression of aging. Specific poses assist in recognizing when we’re unconsciously furrowing our brows or pursing our lips. You’d be surprised how often certain facial expressions happen out of habit and contribute to deeper wrinkles and tension.
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It releases tension
Speaking of tension, did I mention facial yoga releases that, too? Well, yes! It’s incredible how much stress we carry around in our neck and face. Facial yoga adds awareness of those muscles and different ways to alleviate any tightness that you may carry around. It’s help some women recover from chronic neck pain.
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Tones facial and neck muscles while maintaining a relaxed look
Essentially, facial yoga is a form of exercise, which means it tones and tightens your face. As you exercise these muscles, you’re drawing blood, oxygen and extra circulation to this delicate skin, which can stimulate collagen production and emulates youth. Bring. It. On. And unlike the frozen look of botox or the red scarring of other procedures (chemical peel redness can last for several months), facial yoga gives you a natural glow and relaxed look. It is also meant to follow in traditional yoga’s footsteps with assisting to clear the mind of stress and turmoil.
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Can help eliminate double chins
Who doesn’t want to eliminate the dreaded double chin? Or jowls? Facial yoga can assist in eliminating both! This goes hand in hand with toning, but with more focus on the neck, which can sag with aging. In fact, in many Asian cultures, neck exercises are a beauty secrets believed to promote youthfulness.
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Can boost self-esteem and confidence
Let’s face it – when you look better, you feel better. My experience with facial yoga, so far, has been part humor and part confidence boost. I enjoy watching myself mimic the silly poses while knowing the practice is good for me!
Ready to practice?
Here for a gallery of Facial Yoga poses that you can do anywhere.
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Smiling Fish Face
The Smiling Fish assists in toning and lifting the cheeks. Form a traditional fish face with your lips. Then, smile. Both actions should occur simultaneously. Repeat 5 times.
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Marilyn
Named for the infamous Marilyn Monroe, this pose is geared towards creating firmer, fuller lips. Simply pucker your lips, press them into your hand, and blow a kiss. Repeat.
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Baby Bird
This pose is meant to tone neck muscles and prevent sagging, double chins. First, turn your head to the right. Tip your chin upward and press the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth. Next, smile, then swallow. Repeat for center and left side.
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Satchmo
This pose was named after horn players who store a lot of air in their cheeks! Grab a big breath and puff the breath from cheek to cheek. Repeat until you run out of air, 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat the sequence 10 times.
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Temple Dancer
Temple Dancer focuses on warding off crow’s feet and sagging. While keeping the rest of your face motionless, open your eyes wider than usual. Look slowly left, then back to center. Look slowly right, then back to center. Repeat 10 times.
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Buddha
This pose is meant to reset the face into a state of smooth calm. Simply close your eyes and smile very slightly. Be sure to relax the rest of the face completely to achieve maximum calm.
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Lion Face, Part I
Inhale through your nose, make fists and squeeze all your facial muscles…
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Lion Face, Part II
Now exhale through your mouth, stick out your tongue, roll your eyes up and open your hands. Repeat three times.
Images 1-6 courtesy of Amanda. Images 7-8 from Time Magazine.
What do you think?
Have you ever heard of facial yoga? Do you think it could help keep you looking youthful?
