Facial yoga stimulates the muscles of the face, many of which become numb and weak as we age. By strengthening your muscles and engaging them in resistance training, you can help your body increase circulation to the skin by allowing it to regenerate skin cells and become firmer, counteracting the visible signs of aging.
Now that you understand how face yoga works, here are some quick and easy exercises you can add to your morning routine to start achieving that youthful definition.
1. Softer front
This exercise uses acupressure to relieve tension at key points on the forehead. With constant practice, this relaxing movement will help prevent wrinkles and smooth stubborn lines on the forehead.
Steps:
- Make two fists and place them on the forehead.
- Apply pressure with the joints of the middle and index fingers.
- Maintain pressure as you slowly slide the handles out to the sides.
- Finish at the temples by gently applying more pressure.
- Repeat four times.
2. Jaw stretch
By tightening your jawline with this neck-tightening exercise, you can prevent fine lines, trim any unwanted jawline fat, and stabilize a selfie’s biggest enemy: a double chin.
Steps:
- Purse your lips to the side until you feel a stretch on your cheek.
- Turn your head to this side and lift it up at a 45 degree angle.
- Hold for 3 seconds to feel the stretch in your neck.
- Repeat once and then switch to the other side.
3. Manual facelift
While smiling a lot is a good thing, it can also leave you with fine lines. This general exercise helps smooth nasolabial folds (smile lines) and promotes circulation to the face for a healthy, youthful appearance.
An alternative to Yoga Facial Fillers, Medium Lifts
Steps:
- Put both hands on the temples.
- Push palms up and back to lift the sides of the face.
- Make an “O” shape with your mouth and drop your chin.
- Hold for 5 seconds and repeat two more times.
4. Cheek filler
Round cheeks are a hallmark of a young and “childish” face. Lift the cheek muscles and push against the natural gravity of your skin to give them a taller, more voluminous appearance.
Steps:
- Close your lips tightly.
- Suck on your cheeks, forming “fish lips” with your mouth.
- Hold this position for a maximum of 10 seconds.
- Repeat 5 times.
5. Elevation of the temple
Droopy eyelids are another common sign of aging. By regularly lifting your temples, you can help smooth sagging skin and creases near your eyes.
Steps:
- Raise one arm above your head, placing your fingertips on your temples.
- Place your ring finger at the corner of the eyebrow.
- Press down to lift, and then lower your head toward your shoulder.
- Hold this position for a few seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
6. Full face
This advanced yoga exercise effectively engages the entire face. It has the effect of toning, defining and activating the cheeks and the lower regions of the face. As you stretch, you should feel a slight burn at the corners of your mouth and cheeks, the kind of burn that a good workout produces.
Steps:
- Make an “O” with your mouth and fold your lips over your teeth.
- Smile with the corners of your mouth.
- Put your fingers on your cheeks and apply firm pressure.
- Close your eyes and move your chin away from your face.
- Hold for 20 seconds and repeat three times.
7. Firmer eye
By “stretching” your eyes and applying pressure to the surrounding areas, you can help fill in the lines that come from the dreaded crow’s feet. This exercise can also wake you up in the morning by softening eye bags and soothing puffy eyes.
Steps:
- Make a “V” shape with your fingers and place them over your eyebrows.
- Apply pressure and, without tilting your head, look at the ceiling.
- Lift the lower eyelids to form a wink.
- Relax and repeat six more times.
- Finish closing your eyes for 10 seconds.
8. Giraffe Neck
Because the surrounding skin is thinner, the neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Daily stretching of the platysma muscle in the neck can help firm up the natural tension in the joint and even smooth out the jawline and mouth area.
Steps:
- Place the fingertips on the clavicle.
- Tilt your head back and purse your lips tightly.
- When your head is tilted back, stick out your lower lip and place your fingers on your clavicle.
- Bring your head closer to your chest and repeat two more times.
- Hold for four deep breaths.
Does Face Yoga really work to fight aging?
There is evidence that facial yoga can work to fight aging. A Northwestern Medicine study showed that a daily 30-minute facial exercise, performed for more than 20 weeks, could make middle-aged women look three years younger. Participants reported measurable, fuller cheeks and firmer skin.
But like any form of exercise, you need to commit to the regiment to effectively strengthen these muscles. For the best results at home, experts suggest doing facial yoga up to six days a week for about 30 minutes a day.
Because it requires no equipment, facial yoga is a simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive way to achieve skin-improving results. To complement your anti-aging exercises, select a perfume or cologne that can give you a fresh, radiant and youthful aura.
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