Face yoga exercises are facial movements done to stretch and tone muscles in the face, mostly to slow down the visible effects of aging. Asides the anti-aging properties of face yoga, this new style of yoga helps to relieve tension in facial muscles, thereby avoiding health issues like eye strain or tension headaches.
Although face yoga is just becoming popular, it has long been used in the treatment of conditions related to muscle control, for example, Bell’s palsy and strokes. Experts, therefore, think it is logical to expect the same exercises to lessen the effects of aging on the facial skin. This train of thought gains more support when you consider that muscle loss is partly responsible for specific age-related issues, for example, sagginess.
How Do Face Yoga Exercises Work?
Yoga experts ask people to see face yoga exercises as gentle forms of “strength training” for the face and neck. The higher the frequency of performing these exercises on different parts of the face, the higher the possibility of noticing marked improvements in the muscles and skin.
Based on popular knowledge, face yoga exercises work in the various methods highlighted below:
- Stimulates muscles in the face, thereby enhancing their tone and tightness, which is the reason face yoga helps some people to lessen the effects of aging caused by the degeneration of facial tissues.
- Treats tension and strain in facial muscles that are usually caused due to repetitive facial expressions for long, several hours. Examples of these expressions include squinting and frowning. Furthermore, face yoga incorporates specific acupressure and massage techniques and, therefore, effectively relaxes vital areas of the face that are typically tensed.
- These exercises enhance the circulation of blood to the skin, making it easier to perform some facial expressions. This may help to clear skin easily.
If you’re bothered about costs, I doubt there are yoga studios dedicated solely to face yoga, and as such, it may be challenging to ascertain costs. The internet is, therefore, your best bet for practicing face yoga. You can watch tutorials on YouTube or partake in online classes. Some spas that discharge this service charge between $50 – $200, although this often depends on the duration of your session.
You can also read articles to know how to perform facial yoga. This is an insignificant cost compared to professional facials and massage, botox, and anti-aging creams (which hardly work).
Top 6 Face Yoga Exercises
Unlike other yoga variations like Ashtanga or Bikram, there is no specific sequence to adopt for effective face yoga. These exercises target the upper and lower cheek, mid-forehead, neck, jawline, and space around and between the eyes.
Below, we’ll look at the commonest and most effective forms of face yoga available today.
Note: avoid wrinkling or squinting your face too much while at it as this may defeat and even counteract the purpose of the exercises. Instead, lift and expand concerned points.
Eye-Opener
As the name may suggest, this face yoga form focuses on the eyes. To practice, scope the fingers into a binocular around the eyebrows and cheeks and across the face. Lift the eyebrows, taking proper care not to wrinkle the forehead excessively.
If successfully done, squint and lift the eyebrows again. Repeat the move 50 times, at least. Remember to increase this count as you progress.
Forehead Lifter
This move helps to reduce the folds on the forehead. To perform, cover the temples with both palms, and raise the sides of the face by pushing the palms up and back for five seconds. Repeat 50 times.
As an alternative, intertwine the fingers across the forehead and attempt to lift the forehead while applying light pressure. Repeat 50 times, at least.
Cheek Lifter
The cheek lifter is targeted at strengthening the facial muscles to avoid or lessen sagginess. With the mouth wide open, try to raise your cheeks. Return to normal after holding this position for 10 seconds. And what’s the recommended count? You got it: 50 times, at least! Remember not to squint while lifting the forehead.
Jaw and Neck Stretch
Specifically, for maintaining the square set of the jaw and muscles in the neck, this form of face yoga is quite useful.
To perform, slightly tilt the face upward. Raise the chin forward at a 45° angle and sideways over a shoulder and remain that way for 3 seconds. Assume the initial center position and repeat the same move over the other shoulder. Aim to repeat this at least 20 times on each shoulder or practice for two or several minutes.
A great alternative, although only for people with no previous neck issue, is to fully tilt the head backward and hold. Repeat this move until you spend a minute or two on it.
Smiler
Smiling has always been a unique facial expression, but did you know it is also a great way to counter aging? You should, for, after all, a happy splitting up of your lips makes us feel younger. For the smiler, let out your natural smile 50 times and afterward smile softly for a minimum of 50 seconds. Trust what you’ve read, there is no better suit than a smile.
Massage Plus Face Savasana
Gently wipe the hands and face with a cleanser. Proceed to massage the face for some time (a coconut oil makes this easier, mind you). Massage the fingertips into the face to relieve strain in the muscles.
Be attentive to the space between the eyebrows, circling, and massaging areas surrounding the eyes for about 30 minutes. To conclude, place a warm towel on your face and lay down for 30 minutes.
Conclusion On Face Yoga Exercises
Although the benefits of face yoga exercises aren’t completely backed by science, studies have proven that continuous practice of these movements do indeed repair worn muscles and, potentially, the skin. This is well supported by a publication in JAMA Dermatology that reports the remarkable effects of regular face yoga exercises on a group of women.
More studies are underway to establish the benefits of face yoga. Before then, I believe it is considerably cheaper than other anti-aging options—so why not? You don’t want to look so older, do you?
