The New Year is quickly upon us, and it’s time for the age-old tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. One of our favorite options is always the tried-and-true promises of getting into better shape, sticking to a workout routine, and eating healthier to get to that ideal toned physique. However, there is one aspect of training that is often overlooked but can make a huge difference in your appearance - your face.
More specifically, training the muscles in your face can make a significant impact on how your skin looks and feels in the new year and beyond. While this may seem silly or unnecessary to add to your routine, try slipping it in for a few weeks to observe changes, and you’ll likely find yourself wanting to maintain this practice for the rest of your life.
Much like any training regimen, exercising your face involves patience, practice, and a little bit of experimentation to find what works best for you and your unique skin. If you’re interested in learning more about this and not sure where to start, we’re happy to help. We’ve put together a quick list of exercises and facial yoga that can help you achieve tighter, more elastic skin in the new year and beyond.
Face Yoga & Exercise - Does it Really Work?
Many of us may be on the fence about whether something as simple as exercising your face can really work. But the truth of the matter is that as more people are getting into this routine, we’re seeing more dramatic and inspiring results that show that it can make a difference.
But what is face yoga? Face yoga is more of a routine than an actual workout, incorporating acupressure, massage, and targeted movements to help reduce sagging and improve the appearance of the skin. The different elements work together to visibly improve the look and feel of your skin, offering a more radiant glow and tighter skin.
What Does Facial Yoga & Exercise Do?
While facial yoga is new in the world of anti-aging skincare and exercise, there are a few key benefits that we can recognize across the board. This practice not only strengthens and tones facial muscles, but can also reduce puffiness and improve under-eye circles through increased circulation. Additionally, it is said to tighten the skin overall and offer relief from pain through the massage technique.
These benefits are hotly debated but are generally recognized by practitioners of facial yoga. One other benefit that isn’t often discussed is that this process can help improve your mental health, as it adds to your self-care routine and allows you to take a moment to dedicate to your well-being.
Our Favorite Facial Yoga Exercises
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of what facial yoga is and how it can benefit your appearance, it’s time to get into the good stuff - the actual exercises you can use. Here are some of our favorite options to incorporate into your routine 3-5 times per week.
1 - Say Goodbye to Under-Eye Bags
We’ll start things off with the eyes with the perfect exercise to combat those nagging under-eye bags. One of the first places we often notice the signs of aging, our undereye area features some of the most delicate skin on the face and requires special care. Here are steps to follow to fight those under-eye bags:
- Place your index fingers directly under the eye with your thumbs near your ears.
- Allow your mouth to open entirely (without stretching it!).
- Use only your eyes to look up towards the ceiling and hold for 10 seconds.
- Repeat three times or as needed.
2 - Smooth Away Those Forehead Lines
Another place in the face that tends to show signs of aging is the forehead, which is often home to fine lines and wrinkles. By employing a facial exercise routine that targets the forehead, you can push back on these lines and help smooth the skin for a tighter and more supple appearance. Here is one such exercise to give a try:
- Apply your favorite serum to your hands.
- Make a fist with each hand and place it on the center of the forehead, allowing your knuckles to touch.
- Gently press your knuckles into your forehead while inhaling slowly.
- Glide your knuckles towards your temples while exhaling slowly.
- Repeat three times or as needed.
3 - Plump Those Cheeks
Now that we’ve covered the eyes and the forehead, it’s time to move down the face to the cheeks. As we age, we tend to lose volume and plumpness in the cheeks, leading to a bit of a hollow appearance that can cause sagging skin. Here’s an exercise to help combat this change:
- Inhale deeply and exhale through your mouth with a “ha” noise.
- Close your mouth and smile with your mouth completely closed.
- Create a fish face shape by sucking your cheeks in towards your teeth and holding for 10 seconds.
- Repeat five times or as needed.
4 - Elongate Your Neck
So many facial exercises and facial yoga positions are unique to the face, but when it comes to training your neck, this will often involve traditional yoga exercises. These positions are more full-body than facial-focused but still provide significant results in toning and tightening the neck area. Here is how to perform one of our favorite moves, Lion Pose or “Simha Mudra”:
- Sit on the floor or a mat with your legs crossed, and hands resting atop your knees. You can lean forward slightly.
- Inhale deeply through your nose to completely fill your lungs.
- Exhale entirely, opening your mouth wide and sticking out your tongue as far as it can comfortably go.
- Roar while you exhale, making a “ha” sound through the back of your throat. Don’t be afraid to be noisy!
- Throughout your exhale and roar, spread your fingers apart and stretch them wide.
- Hold each pose for a few seconds before releasing and repeating as needed.
Remember, when planning ahead to get trained and toned in the new year - don’t forget your skincare routine! By incorporating facial yoga and exercises in your daily skincare routine, you can train your way to a more toned, tight complexion with a more radiant, glowing appearance that will leave you with your best skin ever.
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