Face Yoga

Don’t we all wish for glowing and younger-looking skin- skin that’s naturally beautiful and radiant? Here’s how face yoga can fulfil your wish! Face yoga exercises are nothing but a series of facial movements that are aimed at toning and relaxing your face muscles. There are almost 57 muscles that hold up your face and these exercises work out all these muscles and improve their strength and flexibility. These exercise routines are designed either to target specific problem areas such as your frown, crow’s feet, etc. or to change the palpability of your expressions vis-à-vis the emotions that you are feeling. Here are some of the most effective face yoga exercises that you can try: Jaw Stretch: Who doesn’t love a sharp jawline and a well-sculpted face. One of the best postures of face yoga for jawline, this helps in losing excess fat and also reduces your double chin. Tightly contract your lips to the left side of your face till you feel your cheek stretch. Slightly tilt your face on the left side. Hold the pose for some time and repeat on the other side. Duration: 3-5 seconds Sets: 3-4 sets of 2-3 reps Eye firming pose: It’s rightly said that our eyes give away our age. But at times, due to constant stress and fatigue, your eyes may appear to be tired giving you a prematurely aged appearance. This face yoga exercise helps cure dark circles and releases the stress caused by long hours in front of your computer. Close your fists and hold your thumb upright. Gently close your eyes and move your right thumb on the right eye and the left thumb on the left eye. Use gentle pressure while you do so. Duration: 2-3 minutes Sets: 3-4 sets of 1-2 reps Cheek firming pose: One of the best face yoga for women postures, this helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines and the prematurely aged effect that they give. This is also a great pose of yoga for chubby cheeks as it helps in losing excess weight and making your cheeks appear chiselled. Tighten your lips by closing them tightly. Make the ‘fish lips’ pose as you suck in your cheeks. Hold the pose for a few seconds. Duration: 10 seconds Sets: 2-3 sets of 4-5 reps Brow smoothing pose: Our brows and forehead exhibit most of our expression. We often portray being stress or anxious when the muscles in these areas are overused. This 5-minute face yoga pose relaxes your muscles and gives your face a happier expression. Place your fingertips at your forehead’s centre. Now gently press them as you move them towards your temples. Duration: 25-30 seconds Sets: 4-5 sets of 5-6 reps Jivha Bandha: A flabby double chin gives your face a gaunt appearance and makes you older than you actually are. This pose of yoga for double chin gives you an amazing facelift by naturally sculpting your face and improving your circulation. Start this pose of yoga for double chin by touching your tongue to the upper palette. Gently open your mouth while keeping your tongue in the same position and tilt your head upwards slowly. Release your tongue and return to the starting position. Duration: 20-25 seconds Sets: 2-3 sets of 3-4 reps Dumbbell pose: An effective pose of face yoga for double chin, this melts away your double chin for good. This posture of face yoga for double chin works by strengthening and stretching your facial muscles. To start this pose of face yoga for double chin, lift your chin slowly and look towards the sky. Open and close your mouth for a few seconds. Relax and gently bring your face down. Duration: 3 seconds Sets: 6-7 sets of 4-5 reps Pout pose: One of the most effective poses of yoga for glowing skin, this works by improving your circulation and making it appear more youthful and radiant. To start this simple pose of yoga for glowing skin, pout your lips and follow this up with a smile. Try to do this posture of yoga for glowing skin as fast as you can for the best results. Duration: 15-20 seconds Sets: 2-3 sets of 3-4 reps

The reason why millions of people around the globe do face yoga is not just because it is a very gentle form of exercise, but also because of the ease with which it can be done at home: Choose a space that’s comfortable, clutter-free, and clean to practice face yoga. There shouldn’t be too many distractions or walk-ins in this space. Face yoga is best practiced during the early morning hours. This is when your stomach and bowels are empty and you are most relaxed and your morning yoga gives great results. You can combine your facial exercises with other poses of yoga pranayama for better results. Switch off your mobile phones and TV to minimise distractions. Wear comfortable clothes to allow fluid movements. Respect your body by being gentle with it. Never start too much too soon. Start with 5-minute face yoga and gradually increase the duration. Never give yourself unrealistic targets. Face yoga doesn’t give quick results, but when it does, the changes to your face are long-term. Also, keep in mind that every person’s body is different and responds in a different way to exercise. When practicing 5-minute face yoga at home, it is important to learn the proper techniques from a trainer to avoid stress and fatigue. Alternatively, you can take online classes.

Face yoga postures are based on the same principles as resistance training. This means that you are using resistance force through your fingers in toning, strengthening, and stretching your facial muscles. Several studies have proven that face yoga makes your facial muscles grow and adds definition and youthfulness to your face.

Just like any other exercise, the practice of face yoga poses also needs consistency. While you may start with a 5-minute face yoga practice, you ultimately need to increase the duration to get effective results. Ideally, to achieve your objectives, you need to practice it for a minimum of 25-30 minutes a day at least 5-6 times a week.

Yes and in fact, face yoga is one of the best ways to make your face appear sharper and slimmer. The process of stretching, clenching, and relaxing your facial muscles in face yoga for slim face will ultimately tone them and help in losing excess flab.

Just like with regular practice of yoga, your body begins to take a more sculpted shape, your face also responds to yoga in the same way. The various postures of yoga for face glow and strengthening, flexing, and lifting of muscles, helps in altering the appearance of your face. These poses of face yoga helps maintain the elasticity of your face thereby improving its contours, just like in a facelift. Be it your cheekbones, chin, cheeks, or forehead, these poses make your face appear fuller and slimmer.

Even a 5-minute face yoga session has tremendous benefits for the skin on your face and its overall appearance. Some of the most important advantages include: Face yoga goes much beyond just aesthetics. It also works on our expressions. For example, regularly practicing this form of yoga helps in controlling our facial expressions associated with stress, anxiety, and worry. Even doing a 5-minute yoga exercise session relaxes your tensed and overworked muscles, which in the long run helps in preventing signs of premature aging such as sagging skin and fine lines. Poses of yoga for face glow improve your blood circulation. This makes your face appear radiant with a natural glow. With an improved facial appearance, you tend to feel happier and more confident. This betters your interpersonal relationships and even enhances your productivity at work. This yoga poses help in preventing the risk of myofascial pain and bettering your nostril breathwork. These poses also make your neck and shoulders stronger and more toned.

There aren’t any disadvantages of doing face yoga, just some risks that may arise due to: Not learning the correct postures from an experienced trainer. This may result in facial pain or stiffness. Taking too frequent breaks between your sessions may not give you the desired results. Not doing a warm-up or cool-down session may leave you with sore facial muscles. Not taking adequate rest between your sessions may make you feel stressed and fatigued.

Here are the things required to have an impactful face yoga session at home or the gym: A yoga mat Comfortable clothes Online tutorials or apps to learn the postures A water bottle Soothing music