Out comes the credit card. We stock up on creams and lotions, many of which, ounce for ounce, cost more than gold. Those who can afford it turn to expensive and invasive treatments such as Botox shots and facelifts.
Some do facial yoga. Simply put, this is a series of routines and exercises using the facial and neck muscles which, over time and with diligent practice, firm the muscles and the skin of the face, giving a more youthful appearance. The increased blood flow also gives the face a fresh-scrubbed, healthy glow.
One local yoga teacher with 11 years’ experience, believes that yoga routines for the face cannot be viewed as separate from those for the rest of the body. “Yoga is yoga,” she insists. “You’re just focusing on another body part. All yoga,” she further explains, “is good for you.”
On the other hand, Chandra, a WomanWise reader in her fifties, who has been performing yoga, including facial yoga, for several years, swears by her daily routines. “It can turn back time for you,” she promises.
On the other hand, Chandra, a WomanWise reader in her fifties, who has been performing yoga, including facial yoga, for several years, swears by her daily routines. “It can turn back time for you,” she promises.
Women who practice it see it as a godsend, a mini-routine they can perform each day to tone up the face, whether or not they do any yoga at all below the neck.
Theoretically, it will do some good. Yoga promotes general well-being and brings balance and harmony to the body. It helps with circulation, stimulates endocrine glands, and improves tone. Exercises and poses targeting the face can firm up underlying muscles and sagging skin, while the accompanying massage increases blood flow to the area. Deep breathing reduces stress, which, we all know, shows in the face.
Theoretically, it will do some good. Yoga promotes general well-being and brings balance and harmony to the body. It helps with circulation, stimulates endocrine glands, and improves tone. Exercises and poses targeting the face can firm up underlying muscles and sagging skin, while the accompanying massage increases blood flow to the area. Deep breathing reduces stress, which, we all know, shows in the face.
Want to give it a try? Here are a few simple exercises to get you started. As you perform them, sit in a relaxed position, on a chair or on the floor, with your back straight.
Palming
Rub your hands together until they are very warm. Gently place the palms over the eyes and feel the warmth diffuse into your skin. This helps reduce dark circles and makes your eyes look less tired.
The lion
Take a deep breath. Let it out forcefully with your mouth wide open and your tongue sticking out. Open your eyes wide, look to the ceiling, and say “Aah.” This improves circulation and relieves tension in the neck and face. Repeat a few times.
Take a deep breath. Let it out forcefully with your mouth wide open and your tongue sticking out. Open your eyes wide, look to the ceiling, and say “Aah.” This improves circulation and relieves tension in the neck and face. Repeat a few times.
Pinching cheeks
Remember how Victorian ladies pinched their cheeks sharply to bring a little colour to them? They knew what they were doing. Pinching increases blood flow to the face.Remember how Victorian ladies pinched their cheeks sharply to bring a little colour to them? They knew what they were doing. Pinching increases blood flow to the face.
The Satchmo
Named after the great Louis Armstrong. Inhale deeply, and fill your mouth with air. Force the air into each cheek one after the other. Balloon your cheeks as if you were blowing a trumpet. Do this until your breath gives out. Named after the great Louis Armstrong. Inhale deeply, and fill your mouth with air. Force the air into each cheek one after the other. Balloon your cheeks as if you were blowing a trumpet. Do this until your breath gives out.
The Marionette
Those of us who enjoyed TV in the 70s could call this one The Bewitched. Press your index fingers into the fold between your cheeks and your nostrils, and then wiggle your nose like Samantha Stevens casting a hex on poor Darren. Feel the tension there as you press. Do this 20 times for 3 reps. It helps reduce those deep lines at the side of the nose.
Smile
Smile broadly, and open your eyes as wide as you can, as if you’ve just spotted a huge hunk of cherry cheesecake that’s all yours. Try to bring your smile up to your ears. Hold that for 10 seconds. Repeat.
Eye exercises
Keep your chin level and your face steady. Roll your eyes as far as you can to the left and hold. Repeat by looking right, then up and down. A great eye-strain reliever.
Eyebrow massage
Close your eyes. Stroke your eyebrows gently but firmly with your index fingers, from the centre of the forehead to the outer edges of the brow. Repeat until the tension rolls away.
Rub your hands together until they are very warm. Gently place the palms over the eyes and feel the warmth diffuse into your skin. This helps reduce dark circles and makes your eyes look less tired.
The lion
Take a deep breath. Let it out forcefully with your mouth wide open and your tongue sticking out. Open your eyes wide, look to the ceiling, and say “Aah.” This improves circulation and relieves tension in the neck and face. Repeat a few times.
Take a deep breath. Let it out forcefully with your mouth wide open and your tongue sticking out. Open your eyes wide, look to the ceiling, and say “Aah.” This improves circulation and relieves tension in the neck and face. Repeat a few times.
Pinching cheeks
Remember how Victorian ladies pinched their cheeks sharply to bring a little colour to them? They knew what they were doing. Pinching increases blood flow to the face.Remember how Victorian ladies pinched their cheeks sharply to bring a little colour to them? They knew what they were doing. Pinching increases blood flow to the face.
The Satchmo
Named after the great Louis Armstrong. Inhale deeply, and fill your mouth with air. Force the air into each cheek one after the other. Balloon your cheeks as if you were blowing a trumpet. Do this until your breath gives out. Named after the great Louis Armstrong. Inhale deeply, and fill your mouth with air. Force the air into each cheek one after the other. Balloon your cheeks as if you were blowing a trumpet. Do this until your breath gives out.
The Marionette
Those of us who enjoyed TV in the 70s could call this one The Bewitched. Press your index fingers into the fold between your cheeks and your nostrils, and then wiggle your nose like Samantha Stevens casting a hex on poor Darren. Feel the tension there as you press. Do this 20 times for 3 reps. It helps reduce those deep lines at the side of the nose.
Smile
Smile broadly, and open your eyes as wide as you can, as if you’ve just spotted a huge hunk of cherry cheesecake that’s all yours. Try to bring your smile up to your ears. Hold that for 10 seconds. Repeat.
Eye exercises
Keep your chin level and your face steady. Roll your eyes as far as you can to the left and hold. Repeat by looking right, then up and down. A great eye-strain reliever.
Eyebrow massage
Close your eyes. Stroke your eyebrows gently but firmly with your index fingers, from the centre of the forehead to the outer edges of the brow. Repeat until the tension rolls away.
