Face Yoga – 8 Exercises for Your Beautiful Face

There are 43 muscles in the human face which enable us to smile, frown and produce other facial expressions that are unique to each of us. Repetitive movements of the face are synonymous with laugh lines, forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet and sagging or creeping skin. While skincare companies have dominated the beauty industry in the past few years, people are still disappointed with expensive creams, serums and oils unable to deliver on their promises of erasing, what nature has so willfully carved out on our faces. Our bodies on the other hand are benefiting from all of the new health movements and yoga is topping them all. The renewed beauty movement of Face Yoga, mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic text are attempting to sweep the lines right off our faces in very modern ways. Try 8 face yoga exercises below and tone your neglected facial muscles.

Repetitive facial expressions like, smiling that cause wrinkles on the corners of our mouths are not the only culprits of facial disharmony. Some of these ‘etchings’ are simply genetic traits that we’ve inherited. Finding the value and acceptance in our inherited facial lines that remind us of a family member long gone can help us appreciate our unique beauty and practice a yogic principal too. Try the Mirror Practice mentioned here. Aside from genetic traits, gravity: the anti-plastic surgeon, is also a contributor. In particular, it can cause sagging skin that creates exaggerated jowls and the dreaded double-chin. Over-phone use also shares the blame for the extra chin and hunch back; more reasons to limit phone time. Gravity can physically ground us but it can also pull south on our facial muscles, skin and other body parts. Look out for an upcoming article on yoga inversions to undo the unpleasant effects of gravity.

Face yoga can do more than firm and tone facial muscles, it increases circulation and counteracts our typical and repetitive facial expressions. The body needs counter postures for better mobility and range of motion and so does the face. Practicing a facial posture that stretches muscles we’ve never moved can be surprisingly invigorating, relaxing and beautifying. When trying these postures, sit or stand up straight, inhale and exhale deeply throughout the postures. Be mindful and practice only those that feel good to you and your beautiful face.

Fish Face

The buccinator muscle responsible for making this facial posture runs along the side of the cheeks and is responsible for keeping our teeth to our cheeks. It’s the muscle used to chew, smile and suck. This face is often made when applying makeup to contour cheeks. Practicing this posture can tighten the cheeks and define their contours. Simply, suck in both cheeks and pull in corners of the mouth. Hold for 5 seconds and release to neutral or smile. Repeat 10 times. Inhale and exhale fully between each repetition.

Kiss the Sky

Orbicularis oris muscles or the muscles that encircle the mouth are used for doing this puckering up pose. Try this posture to firm the neck, jawline and plump your pucker. Sit or stand tall, tilt head back, purse lips and kiss the sky 10 times before bringing head back to neutral to release pose and relax. Do 4 reps.  Making the loud kissing sounds is important for the full effect of this posture so, don’t be shy and kiss like you mean it.

Puffer Face

Simple yet effective posture to increase circulation in the face and counteract smile and frown lines. Stretch out the right cheek by filling with air, look deeply to your right – without turning the head. Hold for 3 seconds. Repeat on the left side. Pretend that you are slowly wishing mouthwash in your cheeks side to side. Do 10 times.

Lymph Drain

Our lymphatic system is in charge of ridding the body of toxins. This system carries infection fighting white blood cells back and forth from the lymph nodes and also drains interstitial fluid (fluid that surrounds our cells). This lymph drainage posture can gently stimulate stagnant lymph fluid and encourage healing of skin and overall body as well as increase circulation around the face/neck. Lymph nodes are in various parts of the body including the sides of the neck and face. A gentle massage of these lymph nodes is part of Ayurvedic medicine. Hence, a must for facial yoga. Try it by tilting the head up, making a “V” shape with the hands, place the forefinger and middle finger behind the ears while placing the ring and pinky on sides of the cheek. Now, gently slide the hands down the face and neck ending with a gently push on the insides of the collar bone with the tips of the fingers. Bring head back to neutral. Repeat 10 times. This posture is great for relieving sinus congestion (repeat 20-50 times or until you feel sinuses drain). Practice caution and consult a doctor before trying this for sinus issues.

OM Face/AUM Face

The amazing feeling you get from this posture is as invigorating as the one you get when you stretch your arms out after waking up from a restful sleep. It’s a deep stretch for the whole face used to depuff eyes, increase circulation, firm up the sides of the face and may even help elongate the face. To do this posture, gently pull the forehead up with right forefingers to avoid wrinkling, make an “O” or “AU” sound and shape with mouth, stretch chin down, open eyes wide and look up (Don’t tilt head up). Hold for 3-4 seconds and release posture and relax face. Repeat 3 times. Great to do after working on a computer screen too.

Neck Firmer

Whether you call it a turkey neck or double chin, this facial disharmony maker is a stubborn one to fix but exercising the platysma muscle can help firm it up. Start by sitting up straight, tilt head up, slightly jet out your jaw, touch bottom lip to the top of your top lip, if possible. Hold for 4 seconds, release lip into a smile. Repeat 4 more times before bringing head back to neutral. Again, exercise caution and if you feel discomfort or tightness in your jaw, respect your body and refrain from doing this posture.

Earlobe Recharge

Another Ayurvedic remedy and facial yoga wonder. The earlobes are possibly the most neglected parts of our bodies but in Ayurveda the ear lobes are considered organs of wisdom. If you’ve ever gotten a massage then one of the last things a masseuse will touch may be your earlobes. Gently massaging or stimulating the earlobes with or without oil can ensue a peaceful feeling throughout the body and oddly, it can give you a burst of energy. Try in the middle of a work day and notice the feeling it creates in your body. Practice this posture to remove the stress lines from your face and re-charge the body by holding the earlobes and pulling your fingers away quickly in a downward motion. Repeat 3 times on both ears simultaneously. For relaxation alone, massage the entire ear.

Waterfall

This facial yoga posture stimulates the brain, scalp and awakens the senses. Start by imagining that you are standing under a waterfall. Place both hands on the forehead, (fingertips pointing down towards eyebrows) inhale and slide the hands in a stroking motion over the scalp to the base of the back of the neck as you exhale a deep sigh. This posture is refreshing and is a physical representation of self-love.

Check out face yoga courses offered by Fumiko Takatsu founder of her own face yoga method and face yoga expert, Danielle Collins’ book for more exercises.