Wisdom Lines, Not Wrinkles: Does Face Yoga Actually Work?
By Sabrina Marr
Have you ever considered incorporating facial exercises into your workout routine? In the ongoing quest to age gracefully and exude a sense of inner peace, there are exercises that focus on strengthening and building up underlying muscles in key areas such as cheeks, jawline, neck, eyelids, and eyebrows that can help you look and feel better.
In my Face Yoga program that I've been offering in the past 2 years on Ola Ka Ola, you will learn how to target specific areas with facial exercises. Face yoga involves massages and exercises that stimulate the muscles, skin, and lymphatic system. These techniques are designed to soften and relax your face muscles to help alleviate tension, stress, and worry. Also, learn acupressure techniques to boost circulation, which can aid in preventing headaches, releasing sinuses, and enhancing the quality of your sleep.
Below you can find a series of exercises that can relax overactive muscles while toning weaker muscles, and help prevent sagging and expression lines. Regular daily practice is what gives the best results. Taking time for yourself can be a gentle reminder to tune in to your needs and your feelings.
Always start with clean hands and a clean face. Use an oil, serum, or cleansing balm so your fingers can glide easily over your skin without it being too slippery. Massaging oils or serums into your skin can help the product penetrate your skin for deeper absorption.
1. Tension relief
Stimulating this acupressure point helps to reduce eye strain. You can use it to calm down during the day or before you fall asleep.
- Press into the inner corner and outer corner of your eyes for 30 seconds.
- Then circle gently in one direction for 30 seconds.
- Repeat in the opposite direction.
2. Eye circles
This exercise boosts oxygen circulation and alleviates puffiness. Use light, featherweight touches.
- Place your ring fingers or index fingers at the inside of your eyebrows.
- Gently tap your fingers toward the outside of your eyebrows.
- Press into your temples for a few seconds.
- Continue to tap above your cheekbones to the inner corner of your eyes.
- Continue for 30 seconds.
3. Brow smoother
This exercise relaxes the frontalis muscle, which is the large muscle at the front of your forehead. Often this muscle is overused, which can cause stiffness, rigidity, and expressions of stress.
- Place your fingertips at the center of your forehead, facing inwards.
- Gently press your fingertips into your forehead as you move your fingers toward your temples.
- Release your fingers.
- Continue for 30 seconds.
4. Neck massage
This exercise boosts lymphatic drainage and alleviates neck tension. It helps to correct sagging skin around your jaw and neck.
- Tilt your head back slightly.
- Place your fingers at the top of your neck.
- Apply gentle pressure as you glide your fingers down to your collarbone.
- Press into your collarbone for a few seconds before releasing your fingers.
- Continue for 30 seconds.
5. Jaw Unlocker
This exercise engages the muscles in your jaw and neck.
- While seated, make a fist with your left hand and place it on the outside of your jaw with your thumb facing down.
- Turn your head toward your fist, feeling a stretch on the side of your neck.
- Don’t allow your hand to move.
- Then press your jaw toward your hand for a few seconds.
- Gently release.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
6. Lion’s breath
Also known as Lion’s pose, this is a yogic breathing exercise that reduces stress and relaxes your face muscles.
- From a seated position, lean forward to brace your hands on your knees or the floor.
- Inhale deeply through your nose.
- Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and stretch your tongue toward your chin.
- Forcibly exhale your breath across the base of your tongue while making a “ha” sound.
- Relax and breathe normally.
- Repeat up to 7 times.
- Breathe deeply for 1 to 3 minutes.
7. Face tapping
Tapping promotes relaxation and boosts circulation.
- Start at your forehead and use your fingertips to rhythmically tap your skin.
- Continue all along your face toward your jaw.
- Next, tap the front of your neck and across your shoulders.
- Then move up along the back of your neck to your head.
- Finally, rub your palms together to generate heat.
- Cup your hands over your face and breathe deeply for several breaths
Face Yoga Moves To Practice Daily
**Warning: Consult with your dermatologist if you’ve previously had cosmetic injectables, such as dermal fillers. Facial exercises may cause the dermal fillers not to last as long.
Sabrina's full Face Yoga course is located in the Ola Ka Ola on-demand library under Face Yoga.
About Sabrina Marr
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