Have you ever noticed that your complexion looks a little flabbier in the morning and your laugh lines are getting deeper? Many of us experience this as we approach the age of 30-50, but you don't have to put up with it!
In this article, you'll learn what facial yoga is, how to rejuvenate your complexion naturally, what exercises you can do at home and what you can expect if you practice regularly. We give tips on the best tools and resources, and show you how to easily join a Yogamama class.
Read on if you want to find your way to a brighter, firmer complexion and better wellbeing - all natural!
Facial yoga, facial yoga, facial massage: what's the difference? 2
Facial yoga minirutin: These are the best facial yoga exercises 3
What tools and accessories should you use for face yoga? 3
Would you like to go deeper into face yoga? 4
When will the results be visible? 4
Is it possible to do facial yoga with Botox? 4
What is face yoga?
Facial yoga is a natural facial toning technique that is credited to Fumiko Takatsu (Takacu Fumiko). It combines the reworking, relaxation, stretching and massaging of facial muscles with a face yoga and anti-aging approach.
Facial yoga is not just another trend in beauty care, but a real, natural method for those who want to make the most of facial rejuvenation methods without the needles or chemicals.
The story takes us back to Japan, where Takacu Fumiko (Fumiko Takatsu) created the concept of “face yoga” based on his own experiences. He was the one who realised that you can work, relax, stretch and massage your facial muscles just as you would your body muscles during a good workout. The essence of facial yoga is that the exercises target and activate the facial muscles, both large and small, stimulating blood circulation to improve the appearance of the skin and support the natural anti-ageing process.
Instead of hunting for new creams or treatments every time, you can simply incorporate this conscious exercise into your day: a few minutes of facial yoga in the morning or evening can make a visible difference. Regular practice will leave your complexion firmer, more toned and youthful.
What is face yoga for?
Face yoga offers a range of physical and mental benefits to improve your overall well-being and the appearance of your complexion:
- On a physical level, it stimulates blood circulation, reduces puffiness, improves circulation, rejuvenates the skin and reduces wrinkles, and tightens the complexion.
- Mentally, it helps relieve stress, boosts self-confidence and improves general well-being.
- Common symptoms that may be helped: flattened fascia, sagging facial skin, laugh lines, smile lines, nasolabial folds.
A study published in 2018 by researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine entitled “Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging” published in the JAMA Dermatology journal has shown that 20-30 minutes of facial muscle exercise per day over 20 weeks leads to a measurable, visible improvement in facial firmness and youthfulness .
While the effects of botox wear off after 3-6 months, the results of facial yoga are more long-lasting because it improves muscle flexibility. Its effectiveness is individual, but after just a few weeks you can notice a noticeable change.
Facial yoga, facial yoga, facial massage: what's the difference?
It's not easy to choose between the many different facial rejuvenation methods. Artificial procedures such as Botox, hyaluronic acid fillers or laser treatments give quick but often not long-lasting results. Of the natural alternatives, facial yoga, facial exercises and facial massage are the best known.
- Facial yoga is a complex method, including stretching, classical yoga elements, and the emphasis is on consciously strengthening and relaxing the muscles, and the harmony of body and face.
- From arctorna is more of a muscle-strengthening type, improving skin firmness by exercising the mimic muscles.
- Facial massage improves blood circulation and regeneration, but it is mainly a passive technique.
Facial yoga minirutin: These are the best facial yoga exercises
Before you start, cleanse your face thoroughly, you can use a toner and a few drops of face oil to keep your skin supple.
- Smoothing the forehead (frontalis): using smoothing strokes, drag your fingertips across the forehead from the bottom up, then sideways. It helps to smooth out forehead wrinkles and loosen sagging fascia.
- Eyebrow strengthening (orbicularis oculi): imagine you want to open your eyes, hold your finger at the temple and look upwards with weak resistance. This helps to fade crow's feet.
- Toning the cheeks (zygomaticus major): inflate your face, then roll the air from one side to the other. Stimulates the blood circulation in the cheeks, reduces the depth of the nasolabial folds.
- Exercise the muscle around the lips (orbicularis oris): make a loud ‘O’ sound, then relax. It helps to fade smile lines.
- Neck tightening exercise (platysma): lift your chin slightly and smile while pushing your lower lip down. Reduce double chin and neck sagging.
In conclusion, remember: a few minutes a day of these exercises can go a long way to improving the condition of your skin.
What tools and accessories should you use for face yoga?
The most important accessory for face yoga is a mirror, so you can see and improve your movements. A serum or face oil can help to prevent your skin from pulling. You can use it optionally:
- a face yoga trainer (a silicone or rubber device that strengthens the muscles),
- facial muscle massager (works with micro-vibrations),
- facial yoga machine (with various massage functions).
But you can achieve excellent results with most of them by hand. If you love accessories, try out which one suits you best!
Would you like to go deeper into face yoga?
There are now many online courses, videos and books to inspire you to get started. Try different styles and experiment to find the best one for you.
Yogamama's own you can find her course here. The best known Hungarian face yoga influencers:
- Laura Döbrösi, who focuses on everyday facial massage;
- Anfisa Bulgakova, ambassador of natural beauty;
- Tímea Makovi, with regular workshops and Youtube videos;
- Viki Koós, who has also written a book on the subject, provides practical examples.
They will all help you find your own path in face yoga.
FAQ
When will the results be visible?
If you do this for 10-20 minutes a day, you will see a slight improvement after 3-4 weeks: a fresher complexion, firmer face, better feeling. After a few sessions, your muscles will be working more actively and some lines will smooth out.
With regular practice, the results will be more lasting and will help keep your complexion looking young in the long term.
Is it possible to do facial yoga with Botox?
Yes, you can still do facial yoga after Botox treatment, but it is important to follow your doctor's instructions and wait at least 2 weeks after the treatment.
Facial yoga is not a complete substitute for Botox, but it is excellent for prevention and to increase the longevity of the effect. And in the long term, it offers a more natural solution!
Visit Yogamama for a class!
If you want to get even more out of yoga, try Yogamama's other classes, such as women's yoga or the spinal yoga, specifically tailored to the needs of mums aged 30-50.
Look at the current timetable, and join a supportive, motivating community!