Face yoga, or facial yoga, is a combination of facial positions that, along with controlled expressions, mindful breathing, and proper posture, enhance your appearance.
Unlike the more well-known facial gymnastics, which has been popular for some years, Face Yoga takes a more holistic and comprehensive approach, working not only on muscle toning but on multiple levels.
Just small gestures repeated daily can achieve astonishing results.
Face Yoga: What it is and How to Do Facial Yoga
Facial Yoga is Based on Releasing Tension
Face Yoga focuses on releasing tension. This is essential because some wrinkles, asymmetries, or droopy eyelids can be caused by imperceptible muscle contractions.
And it’s surprising how pressure on certain points of the face or relaxing the muscles of the neck and upper back can improve the situation. By combining targeted exercises, it’s possible to restore facial harmony.
For example, to prevent the appearance of frown wrinkles, one must learn to relax the forehead while working on the computer or during moments of worry. Or, how can one make the smile more, even if they tend to chew primarily on one side?
It’s a journey that requires time and commitment, but once awareness is acquired, many negative habits disappear, along with the related wrinkles and tension.
The Importance of Breathing in Face Yoga
Another aspect that Face Yoga focuses on is mindful breathing.
Regular and deep breathing through the nose has two benefits: mental relaxation and stress reduction, as well as improving blood circulation, providing more oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.
The result is a brighter and smoother face.
Advice from Face Yoga Trainer Claudia Ciocca for the Eye Area
First, one needs to correct bad habits, such as always sleeping on the same side, which can lead to having one eye lower than the other, or not using sunglasses in bright light, which causes continuous muscle contraction that, over time, creates fine lines and eventually wrinkles.
Facial Yoga Exercises to Smooth the Eye Area
To reduce puffiness and brighten the eyes upon waking, there are two morning exercises to do: the first is performed during the application of the cream.
With the fingertip of the ring finger, dab the cream from the inner corner of the eye to the temple, gently pressing under the inner corner while inhaling for 5–10 seconds, then slide the fingertip to the temples while exhaling.
Repeat three times to reduce puffiness and improve lymphatic circulation.
The second exercise stimulates facial circulation and works on the orbicularis muscle, which contracts rhythmically to drain excess fluids.
How to Counter Evening Fatigue with Face Yoga
Relax the eyelid by slowly moving the eyes in a circle or gently pulling the ears.
Pinch the earlobe with the index finger and thumb, inhale and pull sideways, proceed upward and then downward.
Another way is to lift the forehead muscle by sliding the sides of the index fingers from the eyebrows to the hairline, lifting the forehead while looking down as much as possible.
5 Face Yoga Exercises to Try
To counter forehead wrinkles
Contract the forehead and hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds, then open your eyes wide to stretch the skin of the forehead. Repeat the exercise ten times.
To improve the lip contour
Place the index fingers at the corners of the mouth and pull outward. Simultaneously, exert some resistance with the muscles to prevent the movement. Keep the fingers steady and repeat the exercise twenty times daily.
To tone the cheekbones
Inhale and puff out the cheeks, imagining holding balloons inside them. Hold the posture for a few seconds, then swallow the air. Repeat twenty times per session.
Against crow’s feet
Place the index fingers under the eyebrows, thumbs on the cheekbones, and gently pull to open the eyes. Then, close the eyes, resisting with the finger strength. Perform this movement ten times per session.
For the neck and décolleté
Smile while pulling down the corners of the mouth without lowering the chin, then apply light pressure while trying to open the mouth. Hold the posture with your fingers for a few seconds and repeat the exercise twenty times a day.
Where to Try Facial Yoga
At the Four Seasons Milan, they organize 45-minute lessons with Claudia Ciocca, a Face Yoga Trainer, who teaches small gestures to incorporate into the daily routine based on individual goals.
With her, you release tension while applying the cream and learn the most suitable exercises to perform throughout the day, whether during a break at a traffic light, while reading the newspaper, or while watching TV. A tip to start? Always try to smile slightly, activating many facial muscles and improving facial contours.
These sessions are part of the Flow & Glow Ritual face beauty ritual at Four Seasons Milan, which combines them with the Swiss Perfection brand experience and the use of the LED Déesse, an innovative LED mask loved by Hollywood stars that, thanks to Light Therapy, stimulates the natural processes of skin regeneration and repair, improving collagen production with immediate and lasting effects.
This article first appeared on Grazia.it – Author: Clelia Torelli
