Exercises such as face yoga are said to be as effective as Botox, and more cost effective than buying anti ageing eye creams or LED facial masks. Yoga is well known for its body health benefits: more flexibility, lower stress levels and better muscle tone and circulation – and it turns out it can provide the same benefits for your face. We spoke to leading Face Yoga expert Danielle Collins to find out more.
“Our faces and necks have an amazing 57 muscles,” explains Danielle. “Firming and toning these muscles with simple, but effective, facial yoga exercise techniques has lots of benefits including reduced lines and improved skintone.” It can even help down slow the formation of new lines.
With the technique also comes facial massage, which helps to increase circulation, remove toxins, and boost collagen for plumper skin. Plus your overall wellbeing and mental health will improve too.
“Making daily time for yourself works wonders for your stress levels,” continues Danielle. “And knowing you look and feel better, can help you feel calmer and happier overall. Don’t forget, how we feel on the inside radiates out through our faces.”
“Face Yoga works in the same way as any exercise for the body and needs to be done regularly,” says Danielle. “However, anything is better than nothing and even just a few exercises done daily can have a positive effect.”
Try these easy exercises to get started…
4 face yoga exercises to reduce lines and tone
The frown preventer
Gently press your index finger and middle finger between eyebrows. Press into the muscle and stretch your eyebrows away from each-other. Hold for two breaths. Repeat twice more.
The turkey neck turner
Turn your head to one side and tilt upwards slightly. Keeping your mouth closed, repeatedly bring your tongue up to the roof of your mouth so you feel it working the under-chin area. Do this 6-12 times, before repeating on the other side.
Tongue in cheek
Place your tongue inside your cheek by the corner of your mouth. Bring your tongue up inside the cheek and along the area between your mouth and nose, continuing around your lips. Do eight rounds, before repeating on the other side.
Puffer fish
Puff out both cheeks. Press your fingers against your mouth to keep the area taut and smooth. Transfer the air from cheek to cheek, breathing in and out of your nose as you do. Repeat 6-12 times.
Roll with it
One of the best things about facial yoga is that you can do it without any equipment. However, adding a facial roller to your routine could help you see quicker results.
“A facial roller massages the skin and can improve blood flow and lymphatic drainage for a brighter complexion,” explains Danielle. “It’s also a wonderful way to relax tension in the face, which may reduce stress-related expressions and ease tight muscles.”
Try using one after cleansing, before your face yoga workout. Start by applying a facial oil, then work your roller over the face in one direction, repeating each movement five times.
Neck – use a light touch and roll from just below your earlobes down to the base of your neck.
Jawline – roll from the chin along your jawline towards your ear lobe.
Cheek – roll below your cheekbone from the corner of the mouth outwards. Use the same technique to roll over your cheekbones.
Under eye area – use the small end of the roller to gently roll from the inner to outer corners of your eyes.
Forehead – start between your brows, rolling upwards and across your forehead in a fan shape.