Face yoga: the natural way to defy aging -

All it takes is some simple muscle exercises every day, and you'll be well on your way. Click to know more.

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What is it? - Face yoga is a series of exercises and massages that you do to your own face. The movement stimulates the lymphatic system, as well as the skin and muscle cells. It is mostly done on the face, neck, and shoulders.

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Why do it? -

Face yoga applies the same logic of exercise for the body to the face. If you keep your muscles strong, then your skin will stay taught and fresh. We rarely train the muscles in our faces.

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Benefits - Alongside making the muscles more taut so that wrinkles appear less, face yoga also improves lymphatic drainage. This makes lymph fluid circulate more around your body to remove toxins and waste from your skin tissue.

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Acupressure -

An important part of the face massages is touching acupressure points. In doing this, you can relieve headaches, release sinuses, and improve the quality of your sleep.

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Mindfulness - The exercises are done in unison with meditative breathing practices. Practicing mindfulness for a bit every day improves individuals' mental state in the short and long term.

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Mindfulness - By practicing self-care and mindfulness every day, people have found that face yoga reduces other symptoms of tension as well. These include improved confidence and better posture.

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Physical change - According to a study conducted in 2018, participants who did 30 minutes of face yoga per day for eight weeks, followed by sessions every other day for 12 weeks, had visibly tauter face skin.

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Re-programming - By strengthening the muscles in your face you can also gain more control over your expressions. Expressions are a result of your mood, but they can also be a way to get rid of your bad energy.

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Re-programming -

For example, when you smile, even if you're really stressed, your brain instantly releases chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. The same applies to other movements such as furrowing your brow.

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Re-programming -

If you learn how to unfurrow your brow, then your brain will follow and become less stressed. The chemical released will affect your whole body in a positive way.

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Looks - Participants have reported that their face is more symmetrical, they have less sagging, their faces are less rounded, and their neckline is firmer.

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Types of yoga - It is recommended to combine face yoga with some full-body moves in order to get your circulatory system started. If you want to focus on holding poses to give you time to relax your face, Yin and Hatha yoga is recommended.

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Build your own -

With face yoga, you can create your routine to suit your own needs. For example, if you have a very tight jaw, then you can select poses for your sequence that focus on it.

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How to do it - Firstly, you wash your face and hands thoroughly. Use warm water and dab your face clean with a towel, rather than rub it. Get yourself some balm, or light oil, and rub it between your palms until they are warm.

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Tension relief - This is an exercise that is great to relax your eyes. It is especially good after a long day of working on the computer. With your index fingers press into the inner corner of your eyes for 30 seconds.

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Tension relief - Then, circle your index fingers gently around your eyes for another 30 seconds. Do the same in the other directions. All the while try breathing in and out deeply.

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Eye circles -

This exercise is great for reducing morning puffiness and getting oxygen circulation around your face. Start by putting your ring fingers on the inside of your eyebrows. With a light touch, tap your fingers towards the other side of your eyebrows.

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Eye circles - Then, place your ring fingers on your temples and apply pressure for few seconds. Afterward, tap your fingers along the top of your cheekbones towards your inner eye. Repeat the sequence for 30 seconds.

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Brow smoother -

This is a great one for all those frowny faces out there. This exercise relaxes the frontalis muscles, the place where your muscles tense on your forehead. Start by putting the tips of your fingertips in the center of your forehead.

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Brow smoother - Slowly and with a bit of pressure, drag your fingertips over your forehead to your temples. Release your fingers and do it again for 30 seconds.

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Neck massage - If you are worried about a double chin in your twilight years, this is a good exercise to reduce sagginess in the neck. It also helps to release neck tension, which is extremely common among desk workers.

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Neck massage - It's very simple. Tilt your head back slightly and put your fingers at the top of your neck. Apply a bit of pressure and drag your fingertips down to your collarbone. Press into your collarbone for a while for release. Repeat the sequence for 30 seconds.

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Jaw unlocker - A lot of us clench our jaw and don’t even notice it. Due to this, we store huge amounts of tension in our faces. Make a fist with your left hand and place it on the outside of your jaw. Your thumb should be facing down.

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Jaw unlocker - Turn your head towards your fist in order to feel a stretch on the right side of your neck. Then, press your fist into your jaw for a few seconds. Release and do the same on the other side.

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Face tapping -

Tapping your face skin helps to wake up the lymphatic system and boost circulation. Start in the middle of your forehead and gently tap your skin. Tap over and around your face and down your jaw line.

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Face tapping - Tap all the way down your neck and across your shoulders. Then up the back of your neck and through your hair. Then rub your hands together to make them warm and place your palms in front of your face. Take some deep breaths here to complete the practice.

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Why do it? - Aside from the physical and psychological benefits of face yoga, it also means that you can avoid all the harsh chemicals in conventional anti-aging products. A lot of them do not work, and are much too expensive.

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Celebrities - There are lots of celebrities who have discovered the benefits of face yoga. They include Meghan Markle, Kate Moss, and Gisele Bündchen.

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Celebrities - Others have also come out about face yoga, but instead, they consider it “face gymnastics.” Age-defying stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, and Madonna all do face yoga.

Sources: (Healthline) (Face Yoga Expert)

See also: Celebs on yoga: all the benefits and why you should do it

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