Face Yoga Q&A
Q: WHAT IS FACE YOGA?
Just like yoga for the body, face yoga utilizes stretches, held poses, and facial expressions to relax and stretch muscles that are overworked and strengthen muscles that don't get enough exercise, which in turn naturally lifts, tones, and sculpts facial tissue. Any time you stretch or flex facial muscles, you flush out toxins and increase blood circulation and oxygenation to the skin – which produces collagen. This has numerous benefits for the complexion, as our skin and collagen need an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood to regenerate and glow!
Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU PRACTICE FACE YOGA?
A: You can practice face yoga every day, even if just for a few minutes. It’s very much like any kind of exercise routine where the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. What’s really amazing about face yoga is that you can practice it anywhere, anytime. For example, some days I dedicate myself to a full 20 minute routine in the mirror while I mentally recite some affirmations. Other times, I hold incognito poses while waiting in line at the store, or while I’m chopping vegetables for dinner. It’s truly one of the most “flexible” practices you can engage your face in.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FACE YOGA?
A: There are so many wonderful benefits to regular face yoga. At a glance, it can….
- Help relieve tension and stress from the face
- Tone and lift muscles in the face
- Improve facial contour and volume
- Tighten sagging skin
- Detoxify your face
- Bring mindfulness and relaxation to your entire body
The “stretching” poses can be particularly good for helping to relax overworked muscles, which can relieve tension and release stress from the face. There are also a number of “lifting" or “holding" poses that help tone and strengthen specific muscles that otherwise don't get enough exercise day to day.
When we exercise the muscles of the face, we can start to see more facial volume and contour due to the build up of muscle and collagen. This makes face yoga an ideal way to help reverse sagging skin and reduce folds on the face. Face yoga also has firming and detoxifying effects for the face because the movement of muscles stimulates the lymphatic fluid drainage.
An important part of face yoga is also the integration of breath. During stretching poses, breath control helps you let go of stress and tension in the face. During lifting poses, deep inhales and exhales will bring more oxygen and energy to the muscles involved. This breath work naturally reduces stress levels by regulating the nervous system and stimulating the vagus nerve.
Q: CAN YOU TARGET SPECIFIC AREAS OF THE FACE AND NECK?
A: In my Skin Within Online Studio , I have some videos made for specific concerns but one thing I like to stress is that doing a full face workout will actually yield the best results since every part of your face and neck is connected. For example, if someone’s concern is dark or puffy under eyes, I try to encourage them to not get stuck the eyes area. For this area to improve, you need to also address tightness in the neck and stagnation in the cheeks. Without creating flexibility and movement in these areas first, the under eye area will not improve because it’s dependent on flow of oxygen, nutrients and lymph flowing all around it.
Q: WHEN CAN I EXPECT RESULTS?
A: You may start seeing results as soon as a week or so of starting a practice. Things that can amplify your results:
Eat lots of protein: this will help maintain the facial muscles
Eliminate processed foods and added sugars: sugar literally destroys your collagen and prevents nutrient absorption
Sleep: this is when the body recovers on a cellular level
Q: IS FACE YOGA A REPLACEMENT FOR RECEIVING PROFESSIONAL FACIAL TREATMENTS?
A: Face yoga and professional facial treatments are entirely different, so really neither one can replace the other. Face yoga should be looked at as a more holistic, regular, at-home practice to slowly/gradually work your muscles, build collagen, and detox the face. Think of this as your gym workout. Whereas professional skin treatments are great at addressing surface issues directly and typically yield quicker and more dramatic results than anything you can achieve at home.
Q: WHAT OTHER FACIAL TREATMENTS DO YOU RECOMMEND IN CONJUNCTION WITH FACE YOGA?
A: While you'll see benefits like reduced puffiness and increased circulation, face yoga is essentially a workout for the facial muscles. Ideally you want to treat every part of the face: muscles, fascia, skin, pores, and lymph. I would recommend getting facial treatments that focus on deep cleaning the skin, fascia release (through facial massage), resurfacing (like a peel or dermaplaning), as well as advanced modalities that can't be replicated with the hands (such as a laser treatment that targets collagen). Whether you're 20 or 70, combining a face yoga practice with regular spa treatments will set you up for a beautiful and stress free journey into your wisdom years.
