Yoga isn’t just beneficial to your body- using these simple yoga positions on your face has many health benefits. Interestingly, people have 52 muscles in their faces but we rarely use all of them. Spending time to work those muscles can help bring fresh oxygen to the cells in your muscles, improving your health and the look of your skin.
Face yoga is simple and easy to fit into your life- do it in the car on the way to work, or in the shower every morning. According to the experts at The Facial Paralysis Institute, facial yoga is a great way to retain facial mobility and improve facial symmetry.
Do these simple positions twice a day for best results!
- Forehead
To help curb unwanted wrinkles on your forehead, try this next exercise.
Start by furrowing your brow and frowning. The more range of motion the better! Then raise your eyebrows and open your eyes widely as if you were surprised or shocked. Hold the surprised position for 8-10 seconds, then repeat 5 times to make a set.
- Eyes
This exercise works to get rid of and prevent wrinkles around the eyes. It could also be used to help you appear more awake and revitalised after a long night.
Open your eyes as wide as they can go as if you were frightened or shocked. Gently use your (clean) hands to pull the skin away from your eyes as if you were drawing it tight. It is absolutely essential that you don’t put too much pressure on the skin, as that could actually damage the skin.
- Mouth
This exercise will help work and tone your neck and jawline.
Start by sitting or standing in a comfortable, upright position. Slowly tilt your head back without letting it drop until you feel a nice stretch in your neck. A good tip is to imagine making a rainbow with your head to stay elongated.
Next, tightly pucker your mouth as if you were going to kiss someone. You should feel a stretch in your neck and around your mouth. Hold for 8-10 seconds and repeat 5 times.
- Jaw/cheeks
To shape and lift your cheeks, try this next exercise.
This exercise can be done lying down, sitting or standing. Purse your lips together and suck in your cheeks to make a “fish face”. Hold for 8-10 seconds, then repeat 5 times to make a set. This exercise will help give you more prominent cheekbones and more defined cheeks.
- Neck area
To counteract a double chin, try this exercise.
You should stand or sit upright. Place a finger where your neck meets your chin to help you find the right muscles later.
Start by pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. You will probably feel it under your finger, or you might notice that area become concave. With your tongue still at the roof of your mouth, slowly tilt your head back to look at the ceiling without letting it drop back. You will feel a stretch in your lower neck.
The final step is to smile as widely as possible and then swallow. You should feel all the muscles in your neck working! Keep your head tilted back and swallow consistently for 30-60 seconds.
These simple exercise cover your entire face. Facial yoga is a great habit to get into to give you that youthful, glowing appearance.
