By Khanak Mehta
Is your weekly Hatha yoga class the highlight of your routine? We know you love a cute workout outfit, but you can’t deny that a good ol’ sweaty yoga sesh can also leave you feeling pretty incredible, both physically and mentally. And in the long term, those benefits are tripled! Now, think about how it would feel if you translated this into your self-care routine. Case in point: Face yoga is the ultimate workout for your face that requires no sweat, and just a few minutes of your time.
So, if you’re ready to go to skincare gym, keep reading to know more!
Face yoga benefits
In today’s time, injectables and other semi-invasive facial procedures are becoming pretty common. Whether you’re someone who wants a similar effect without the needles or want to give other natural routes a shot before investing in these procedures, facial exercises or face yoga should definitely be an option to consider.
Much like a workout for your body, face yoga also has a bunch of benefits that reflect in both the long and short term. Some of the key face yoga benefits are:
Shop now: Clay masks to detoxify your face
Is face yoga really effective?
Most of the scientific research backing face yoga is anecdotal or from quite a *while* ago. But that’s not to say that the face yoga before and after pictures you see are a lie! The same way any workout will impact two people differently, face yoga will also show varying results on everyone. Many say that it has helped slim and tone their face, and that they have more softer look since they’re less stressed as well.
But, if you pair face yoga exercises with a healthy diet and potent skincare ingredients, you can definitely expect to see some benefits!
How does face yoga work?
This is one workout that requires no equipment – and no, not even a Gua Sha. All you need is some me-time, a calm and relaxing environment, and your hands and fingers, if you choose to incorporate them. Be sure to wash your hands before touching your face to avoid transferring dirt or bacteria on your skin to prevent any acne and breakouts.
You can expect to start seeing some results in the first two to three weeks of doing this consistently. We suggest doing it at least once a day, and thrice a day at maximum.
Here are some face yoga exercises to get you started.
Face yoga move #1: The forehead smoother
This is an asana that’s guaranteed to practically iron out any fine lines or wrinkles on your forehead. Start by placing the palms of your hands on the top of your forehead. Breathe in, and then push the skin upwards. Breathe out as you hold this position and look down. Repeat this at least ten times. Another variation of this is pressing your fingertips into your temples as you clench your jaw and tilt your chin upwards. Hold for ten seconds, then clench your teeth down and hold for another ten seconds, making sure that your temple muscles flex with each movement.
Face yoga move #2: The neck lift
Did you know that you can also try face yoga for double chin? Yes, it’s possible to define your neck, jaw, and chin area with face yoga exercises! Begin by opening your mouth and making an ‘aah’ sound. Fold your lower lips and the corners into your mouth and hold them in place while extending your lower jaw forward. Then, using your lower jaw, scoop up slowly as you close your mouth and pull your chin upwards by about an inch every time you do this action. Do this at least ten times or till your chin is pointing upwards to the ceiling. Hold this position for at least twenty seconds and repeat the process three to five times.
Know more: Which face mask is right for you?
Face yoga move #3: The face lift
Give your face a lift by defining the facial contours with face yoga for glowing skin. We promise you, it’s easier than you think! Start by cupping your chin in your hands. Hold it in such a way that you’re holding onto your jawline, all the way up to your ears. Breathe in and tilt your head forward. Do this in such a way that you’re exerting pressure while simultaneously resisting it with your hands. Hold this position for at least five seconds while you’re breathing out and repeat this movement ten times.
More face yoga exercises to try
Face yoga: What to do and what to avoid
Do...
Don’t...
Read more: How to use face serums the right way
Ready to try out some face yoga?
Now that you’ve got all your moves ready, give face yoga a try! After all, by just taking out a few extra minutes for yourself every day, you can see considerable results with these face lifting exercises. Don’t forget to add a boost to your face yoga routine by pairing this exercise with the regular use of a lifting cream or serum – check out some of our top picks below.
Face yoga 101
Q. How long should I do face yoga for?
Start by dedicating at least ten minutes to this every day and work your way up to twenty minutes.
Q. Is it okay to do face yoga every day?
Yes, it is perfectly safe and in fact, recommended, to do face yoga every day. You may do it up to three times a day.
Q. At what age can I start face yoga?
People aged sixteen and older can start incorporating face yoga into their skincare and self-care routines.