What is face yoga?

Don’t we all wish for glowing and younger-looking skin- skin that’s naturally beautiful and radiant? Here’s how face yoga can fulfil your wish! Face yoga exercises are nothing but a series of facial movements that are aimed at toning and relaxing your face muscles. There are almost 57 muscles that hold up your face and these exercises work out all these muscles and improve their strength and flexibility. These exercise routines are designed either to target specific problem areas such as your frown, crow’s feet, etc. or to change the palpability of your expressions vis-à-vis the emotions that you are feeling. Here are some of the most effective face yoga exercises that you can try: Jaw Stretch: Who doesn’t love a sharp jawline and a well-sculpted face. One of the best postures of face yoga for jawline, this helps in losing excess fat and also reduces your double chin. Tightly contract your lips to the left side of your face till you feel your cheek stretch. Slightly tilt your face on the left side. Hold the pose for some time and repeat on the other side. Duration: 3-5 seconds Sets: 3-4 sets of 2-3 reps Eye firming pose: It’s rightly said that our eyes give away our age. But at times, due to constant stress and fatigue, your eyes may appear to be tired giving you a prematurely aged appearance. This face yoga exercise helps cure dark circles and releases the stress caused by long hours in front of your computer. Close your fists and hold your thumb upright. Gently close your eyes and move your right thumb on the right eye and the left thumb on the left eye. Use gentle pressure while you do so. Duration: 2-3 minutes Sets: 3-4 sets of 1-2 reps Cheek firming pose: One of the best face yoga for women postures, this helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines and the prematurely aged effect that they give. This is also a great pose of yoga for chubby cheeks as it helps in losing excess weight and making your cheeks appear chiselled. Tighten your lips by closing them tightly. Make the ‘fish lips’ pose as you suck in your cheeks. Hold the pose for a few seconds. Duration: 10 seconds Sets: 2-3 sets of 4-5 reps Brow smoothing pose: Our brows and forehead exhibit most of our expression. We often portray being stress or anxious when the muscles in these areas are overused. This 5-minute face yoga pose relaxes your muscles and gives your face a happier expression. Place your fingertips at your forehead’s centre. Now gently press them as you move them towards your temples. Duration: 25-30 seconds Sets: 4-5 sets of 5-6 reps Jivha Bandha: A flabby double chin gives your face a gaunt appearance and makes you older than you actually are. This pose of yoga for double chin gives you an amazing facelift by naturally sculpting your face and improving your circulation. Start this pose of yoga for double chin by touching your tongue to the upper palette. Gently open your mouth while keeping your tongue in the same position and tilt your head upwards slowly. Release your tongue and return to the starting position. Duration: 20-25 seconds Sets: 2-3 sets of 3-4 reps Dumbbell pose: An effective pose of face yoga for double chin, this melts away your double chin for good. This posture of face yoga for double chin works by strengthening and stretching your facial muscles. To start this pose of face yoga for double chin, lift your chin slowly and look towards the sky. Open and close your mouth for a few seconds. Relax and gently bring your face down. Duration: 3 seconds Sets: 6-7 sets of 4-5 reps Pout pose: One of the most effective poses of yoga for glowing skin, this works by improving your circulation and making it appear more youthful and radiant. To start this simple pose of yoga for glowing skin, pout your lips and follow this up with a smile. Try to do this posture of yoga for glowing skin as fast as you can for the best results. Duration: 15-20 seconds Sets: 2-3 sets of 3-4 reps