The new fad, facial yoga, or as it is often called, face yoga, is taking the internet by storm. People are claiming that it is not only cheap and easy, but also shockingly effective at reducing wrinkles and tightening facial muscles. Celebrities such as Meghan Markle and Madonna are using face yoga instead of a facelift to tighten skin and firm muscles.
The most important facts in brief
- Facial yoga is a type of exercise that specifically targets the muscles in your face.
- These exercises relax your face, stimulate the function of the facial muscles and improve your well-being.
- Doing these exercises regularly will give you a more youthful appearance over time.
What is facial yoga?
Facial yoga is a great way to reduce wrinkles and achieve a more youthful appearance. By targeting the muscles in your face, you can relax them, stimulate their function and improve your overall well-being. If you do these exercises regularly, you will see a noticeable difference over time.
Face yoga, similar to hatha yoga but for the face, relaxes the muscles and reduces wrinkles with just a few minutes' effort a day.
The basic concept for the well-known Face Yoga technique comes from Fumiko Takatsu, who wanted to get her skin back into shape after a serious car accident. She developed facial exercises that focused on strengthening the muscles and tightening the skin. She published several books documenting her success.
Facial yoga - the anti-ageing remedy?
The term"facial yoga" refers to various exercises that target the facial muscles. If you perform these exercises daily, they should help prevent wrinkles and dark circles under the eyes. It is said that regular exercise can help to increase facial volume and counteract sagging skin by strengthening the muscles in your face. The trend originated in America, where it was given the name'Yotox'. A recent study concluded that 30 minutes of facial yoga every day or every other day can make your face look significantly younger in just 20 weeks.
How long and how often should I train?
In other words, what does a training session look like? A training session begins with a warm-up phase. This is followed by 15 minutes of individual exercises for each part of the face. However, as with any sport, too much training will eventually lead to fatigue. For this reason, it is advisable to take a break two days a week.
A facial yoga session should consist of several components - rest, deep breathing, awareness of the face, massage and working all the muscles in sequence. A final relaxation or meditation is essential for a longer session. After all, stress reduction is what makes us feel young, healthy and good.
It is also advisable to cleanse the face before exercising. If the skin is dry, only lightly apply a moisturizer; otherwise you run the risk of slipping with your hands. Apart from a mirror to help you maintain the correct posture and facial expression, no other equipment is required for beginners.
Facial yoga - these are the benefits
Regular yoga exercises for the face promote blood circulation in the skin and make it look healthier and fuller. These exercises also strengthen the muscles, making wrinkles and expression lines less visible.
In addition, tension in the face is reduced, the facial muscles relax and the face appears firmer overall. The targeted exercises for muscle tension and relaxation offer a long-term anti-ageing effect. This is visible after just a few weeks of use. Some of the most important benefits are
- Better blood circulation
- The facial skin appears rosy and full of energy
- The facial contours are softened and refined
- The expression lines on your face are reduced
- The facial muscles are relaxed.
- The ageing process of the skin is slowed down
Facial yoga - you should consider these exercises
Relax. Sit upright, this refers to the full exercise, and place your hands over your eyes. Allow your breath to flow in this position for at least 8 deep breaths. Repeat the facial relaxation exercises between each set of exercises.
1st facial yoga classic: the lion
If you are feeling stressed, this exercise is perfect for venting all your pent-up anger and freeing yourself from negative emotions - or at least putting some distance between them. You can also use this exercise to celebrate after a good day.
- The lion pose is a yoga pose that helps to loosen the muscles and prepare them for activity.
- Open your mouth wider. Breathe in deeply through your nose. Tense your throat muscles and extend your tongue as far as possible towards your chin.
- Roll your eyes alternately to the tip of your nose and to your eyebrows.
- Hold this facial position for a moment, then exhale and relax.
- You can repeat this process up to three times.
2. facial yoga: the kissing mouth
With various exercises, you can train not only your lips but also the area around your mouth. After just a short time, you will be able to see and feel the results of the trained muscles.
- Pucker your lips as if you were going to whistle. Press them firmly together and hold the tension for about five seconds. Then let go and relax your muscles.
- Briefly cover your upper lip with your lower lip and tense the muscles around your mouth. Repeat the exercise in reverse. Briefly cover your lower lip with your upper lip and proceed as before.
- Press your lips firmly together and feel the tension. Hold for 8 seconds and then repeat.
3. facial yoga: goodbye double chin
We all know them, the pictures that are taken from the wrong position and beautifully highlight our double chin... this exercise declares war on your double chin!
- For a firmer chin, clench your fist and position it under your chin. Then open your lower jaw while applying pressure to your fist with an upward movement. Hold this tension for 10 seconds.
- For a jaw relaxation exercise, lower your head and release your lower jaw. Repeat the movement up to six times.
- Alternatively, you can also adopt an upright sitting posture and stretch your neck. Look upwards. Concentrate and mentally push your lower jaw forward. Hold this position for ten seconds.
- Then let go and relax. Repeat the process up to six times for best results.
4. facial yoga: rosy cheeks without blush
- By targeting the contours of your cheeks with your knuckles, you can achieve firmer and revitalized skin.
- Use your index finger to form an inverted C. Massage the facial area with the joints of the index fingers, starting at the wings of the nose and working outwards along the cheekbones.
- Continue until the area around your cheeks looks full and has a healthy color.
5. facial yoga: eye wrinkles are a thing of the past!
This yoga exercise is an excellent way to reduce crow's feet:
- Gently place your index and middle finger on each of your temples.
- Now blink quickly with your left eye, then with your right eye, for about ten seconds.
- Do the exercise five times in a row and take a break in between.
- It is ideal to perform this facial yoga exercise every day, for example in the morning after brushing your teeth.
6. facial yoga: a forehead without wrinkles, is that possible?
With face yoga, you can naturally tighten your forehead and reduce wrinkles in just a few minutes. Our forehead is also prone to wrinkles. Wrinkles often occur in people who frequently frown or turn up their nose. This yoga pose offers relief:
- Draw your eyebrows together and tense your forehead muscles. A deep wrinkle may form on the bridge of your nose. Stay in this position for about ten seconds.
- Then open your eyes quickly and raise your eyebrows. Hold this position for ten seconds.
- Repeat the exercise five times. It is ideal to incorporate it into your daily eye exercises.
Facial yoga - be patient, the effects will become visible over time!
It is important that you are patient with the face yoga exercises and put your inner well-being before your outer well-being. Face yoga is not a quick fix for wrinkles. Rather, it is a means to maintain the tone of the facial muscles and make the skin appear healthy and attractive in the long term. In addition, you should focus on exercise, a nutritious diet and a healthy lifestyle as well as proper skin care. You can find out which treatment is suitable for your skin type here.
