From celebrities like Drew Barrymore to Kate Moss, and many popular YouTubers, all of them made face yoga a mainstream therapy for a while now.
This may lead us to think that, we all know the best benefits of yoga, but are we avoiding something that includes our necks and faces? Although there is no proven statement, not at least scientifically on this topic, the avid users of face yoga seem to be determined about the good results.
We have talked to some enthusiasts, and skin specialists to get an idea about the best advantages and disadvantages of face yoga. Take a look at the below information to know more.
Definition of face yoga
Similar to body yoga, this is the exercise and stretches for your face muscles. Just like your muscle faces resistance, your face movements are the same, states Kimberly Keelan, who is the professional esthetician at Babor. She further adds that, if you exercise the muscle of your face, it will give a better tone and lift to the facial surface.
The advantages of face yoga
If you want to avoid the signs of aging like wrinkles and lines on your face, then this is not the time to remove your appointment at the Botox clinic. Face Yoga Method creator, Fumiko Takatsu, states that only some minutes of face exercise will give you a better tone, but then there is less scientific backup to this theory.
However, non-official research conducted in 2018 stated that regular facial movements for twenty weeks have offered better fullness to the lower face and it has improved the middle of the face. It was a small sample, and the research was not in control of the test.
Other than the physical benefits, you will find psychological backups to carry on with facial yoga. A face yoga and normal yoga instructor of fifteen years, Melissa Murphy, stated that this type of yoga can help your body and overall health.
The most important sense organs are located in the face and head such as the skin, mouth, nose, ears, and eyes, the expert says. These organs are joined with the entire body system. You have to look in the mirror and check your face and neck. After that stretch your lower jaw down to see the line of teeth, and then slowly pull the teeth towards the upper direction.
This will pull your neck in a tensed position, and it will impact the body at the same time. We perform yoga with your body, but in this system, the face and neck are avoided, although these are the places that will give you better comfort and relaxation, Murphy states.
What are yoga classes?
Murphy's classes are held monthly, and she combines different activities and practices to help your face relax and also gives comfort to the body and mind. She combines exercises like acupressure, sound work, breathing and facial exercise, meditations, and simple massage methods. Through these practices, she offers better facial muscle relaxation to her class members.
According to Murphy, the technique is quite the same, the members start with an introduction to the exercise technique, a bit of warm-up, then they begin with facial exercises while seating on the floor, and the session completes with a short meditation, but still, the practices are different from each other.
She further states that the first month focuses on the facial movements, in the next one she emphasizes sound work, and in the last one she concentrates on expressions.
Top face yoga practices to try
We took recommendations from Takatsu on the top four facial exercises to practice at home. However, before you move on to discuss facial yoga, it's important to know that the results are debatable, and you have to understand that, even if you practice the steps diligently, it may have little to no benefit. Also, some exercises can backfire, and give you additional wrinkles states, Dr. Rachel Nazarian, MD, a skin specialist from New York.
Smoothing of the forehead
Steps to follow:
- At first, keep your shoulders down, and put your arms above your head, then slowly lower your limbs to place them over your forehead.
- Next, you have to put a bit of pressure over the forehead, and this way you have to lift your skin up and down, and then drop your head, so your shoulder supports it from the back, and keep your chest in the front.
- You have to say in this position for some seconds, and keep breathing.
- You can upgrade this pose by holding your tongue downwards.
The benefit of skin? According to Nazarian, this pose will help you avoid forehead wrinkles, and your face muscles will relax too. If you keep your movement steady, it will stop the appearance of wrinkles.
Lifting your neck
Steps to follow
- Just like you do in the selfies, you have to do a similar action with your head and position your head to the left and the right; also lift your head to feel the stretch on your neck.
- You have to stay in this position for three seconds and then repeat the process.
What are the skin advantages? This will firm your double chin and will give you a firm jawline. However, it can create a line around the lips, adds Nazarian.
The lifting of the face
Steps to follow
- Place your palms on your temple
- Next, push on the skin up and down just at the sides of your face
- Now, make an "O" shape with your lips. And make the O shape longer, by extending your lower jaw down.
- You have to stay in this state for five seconds and repeat the method twice.
What are the perks? It may encourage lymphatic circulation and it can reduce puffiness on the face.
The lift of eyes
Steps to follow
- Keep your shoulders down, and put your arms above your head, then slowly lower your limbs to place over your forehead.
- Next, you have to put a bit of pressure over the forehead, and this way you have to lift your skin up and down, and then drop your head, so your shoulder supports it from the back, and keep your chest in the front.
- You have to say in this position for some seconds, and keep breathing using your mouth.
- You can upgrade this pose by holding your tongue downwards, and exhaling that way.
- You have to repeat the position.
The best perks? It can improve blood circulation and may reduce face puffiness. However, Nazarian added that it will not increase the elasticity of the skin.
The placement of your fingertips is the main thing for this face exercise. You have to position one ring finger on the outer section of your brow, and the other on your forehead. You have to stay in this position, while you move with the yoga pose.
