Face Yoga
Expert Research What is Face Yoga: Benefits, Side Effects & Exercises | Luvly
Written by Vera KarimovaUpdated on 30 Jul 2024
Face Yoga
Expert Research What is Face Yoga: Benefits, Side Effects & Exercises | Luvly
Written by Vera Karimova.Updated at 30 Jul 2024
If you're interested in wellness, health, and beauty, chances are you've already heard of face yoga. In this article, we'll explore what face yoga really is, why you should consider practicing it, and how to get started.
Read more: Does Face Yoga Really Work?
Is Face Yoga Real?
Face yoga is a contemporary term for facial exercises and massage techniques that are meant to improve the yogi's facial appearance. It is believed to be a natural and safe alternative to surgical interventions. A daily face yoga routine can help you prevent or improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, diminish facial puffiness, brighten skin, minimize blemishes, and even resculpt your face.Yoga For Face
The word “yoga” is not used here by accident. Just like yoga asanas for the body, face yoga is meant not only to make us look better but to feel better too. Both practices get people to land in the present moment, appreciating the beautiful act of self-care, releasing mental and physical tension, and connecting with mind, body, and soul. Face yoga can reportedly help with headaches, neck pain, jaw pain and clenching, insomnia, and some mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. It can also help you reconnect with yourself as you start appreciating your reflection in the mirror more.Is Face Yoga Effective?
Largely thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, facial yoga exercises have become a global trend in the past few years. Fumiko Takatsu at Face Yoga Method and Gary Sikorski at Happy Face Yoga are probably the most authoritative masters of this craft, both with a large following around the globe. There's a lot of anecdotal evidence about the effectiveness of face yoga. You can find books on the topic, DVDs, videos on social platforms, and many Before and After pictures. Face yoga coaching certifications are also already a thing. When it comes to scientific evidence, things are a bit different. Many traditional beauticians, cosmetologists, and dermatologists are cautious to recommend face yoga to clients because of the lack of scientific research on this practice.The philosophy behind face yoga is simple—just like exercise, massage, and relaxation have shown positive results for the body, in the same way, these techniques can benefit your face.
Do Facial Exercises Work?
When practiced correctly and regularly, face yoga can engage all 57 facial muscles, one or a few muscle groups at a time. This muscular activity helps the skin produce collagen and elastin, which are essential for maintaining youthful and healthy-looking skin. Moving facial fascia – the macroscopic membranous bodily structures between the muscles – with fingers, flat palms, or other tools such as rollers helps with blood circulation that ensures effective delivery of nutrients to the skin and facial muscles. It also helps to release the tension that we unknowingly hold in our faces, necks, and shoulders, causing bad posture, wrinkle formation, and face puffiness. At the end of the day, the results depend on how committed you are to the practice. If you don't expect an overnight miracle but lovingly include face yoga into your daily self-care toolbox, there's a good chance that after a few weeks of practice – perhaps with the help of Luvly, arguably the best face yoga app out there – you will feel much better about yourself and your looks.Facial Yoga Is For Everyone
We are all different. We come in different shapes and sizes and are of different ethnicities, genders, sexes, and ages, but face yoga meets us right where we are and as we are. We could argue that everyone deserves and could benefit greatly from a well-established facial care routine. When it comes to face exercises for men, as opposed to face exercises for women, there's no major difference other than motivation and dealing with social expectations. Facial exercises for seniors will target wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Just like with traditional yoga and other mindful self-care practices, it's never too late to start. Can yoga help slim your face? While studies show that face yoga can improve the fullness of the lower face in middle-aged women, people experience some slimming of the face as a result of lymphatic drainage immediately after massaging their face outwards with a crystal roller, gua sha, or your fingers.
Side Effects Of Face Yoga
The two main possible side effects of practicing face yoga that people should be aware of are acne breakouts and creating new wrinkles. However, these are totally preventable if face exercises are done correctly and the practitioner is using carefully washed hands and any tools, such as crystal roller and gua sha. Some spots may appear on your face at the beginning of your face yoga journey as the skin goes through a detoxification process. Read more about the topic in this article.How To Do Face Yoga
First, prepare your environment with everything you may need. Turn your favorite music on, light an incense stick or a candle – whatever floats your boat. Pull your hair away from your face with a headband, wash your hands and any other tools you may want to use. Wash your face and put on some moisturizer or a serum, such as hyaluronic acid. Then, do a little relaxation and warm-up. All our muscles are connected, so in order to relax your face, gently massage your scalp, your ears, back of the neck, and shoulders. Then, move onto your face and give it a little tap using your index and middle fingers. Now, you're ready to move on to your exercises.
Best face yoga exercises
After diagnosing your face and identifying the problematic areas you want to tend to, choose up to 5 exercises to keep you going for at least 15 min once or twice a day. Helpful apps such as Luvly will create a program for you. Below, you'll find a few good examples of facial exercises targeting different areas.Face exercises for wrinkles
Try this exercise to diminish your forehead wrinkles.- Raise your eyebrows as if surprised and see where your forehead wrinkles form.
- Now, pinch your forehead skin on one side of your face just above your eyebrow and roll the wrinkles inside out.
- Work your way from the bottom of your forehead to the top along the whole forehead, from one side to another.
- Repeat 3 times.
Face yoga for eyes
To lift droopy eyelids, try this exercise.- Put both of your palms flat horizontally across your forehead with your pinkies touching your eyebrows.
- Press gently and pull your forehead up, opening your eyes.
- Very important — make sure you don't cause any wrinkles under and between your fingers and that your forehead is completely flat.
- Hold the pose for 10 seconds and let go.
- Repeat 3 times.
Facial exercises for cheeks
To slim down and strengthen your cheek muscles, try this exercise.- Fill both of your cheeks with air and push it outwards keeping your mouth closed.
- Continue for 5 seconds.
- Now, transfer the air to one of your cheeks and keep it in this position for 5 seconds.
- Transfer the air to the other cheek and keep it there for 5 seconds.
- Push the air behind your upper lip and keep it there for 5 seconds.
- Push the air behind your lower lip and keep it there for 5 seconds.
- Let the air out of your mouth and relax.
Facial exercises for jowls
To prevent and improve the appearance of sagging jowls, try this exercise.- Put your hands together into a prayer position with your thumbs sticking out towards your chest.
- Lift your hands up and place your chin between your palms and thumbs.
- Now, move your palms apart, sliding the thumbs firmly across the bottom of your chin along your jawline.
- Your palms should end up open outwards next to your ears.
- Repeat 10 times.
Face yoga for double chin
To help you get rid of double chin, try this exercise.- Tilt your head backward so you face the ceiling.
- Now, pretend that you're sending air kisses towards the ceiling.
- Send 10 kisses upwards and feel the muscles under your jawline working.
- Then, lower your head to its natural position and relax.
- Repeat 3 times.