I have a confession to make: Yoga and I don’t get along. In fact, I have a profound aversion to it. You might picture me as the quintessential health-conscious, meditation-loving individual who would naturally embrace yoga, but every time I step onto the mat, I find myself filled with frustration.
I realize that disliking yoga might seem sacrilegious—like being against cute puppies. It’s illogical, yet here we are. In a world where #tidepods and questionable decisions abound, I’ve stumbled upon something intriguing: “face yoga.” This isn’t your typical yoga session filled with difficult poses. Instead, it’s a quirky term for facial exercises aimed at rejuvenating our appearance.
Yoga that isn’t really yoga but could help diminish the wrinkles of my 40-something face? Count me in!
How Does Face Yoga Work?
As we age, the fat pads that provide volume under our skin begin to deplete. This, along with decreased skin elasticity, leads to the sagging and hollowness often associated with aging. (Seriously, Mother Nature, why take away those fat pads? Why not the ones on my thighs instead?) Face yoga exercises target the muscles beneath those diminishing fat pads, promoting lift and firmness. Who wouldn’t want plump cheeks reminiscent of their youth?
While it may sound like yet another beauty fad, research supports the efficacy of face yoga. A recent study published in JAMA Dermatology revealed that participants who practiced daily facial exercises for 20 weeks appeared, on average, up to three years younger.
The study involved 27 women, aged 45 to 60, eager to try facial exercises. After two 90-minute sessions with an instructor, they began the 20-week regimen. However, nearly half of the participants dropped out. (Seriously, why invest three hours in training only to quit? I can imagine bailing on hot yoga, but this is just making silly faces in front of a mirror!)
Among the 16 participants who completed the study, dermatologists analyzed their before-and-after photos without knowing the subjects or the timeline of the images. On average, they determined that the after photos looked about 3.1 years younger than the initial ones. While the study’s size and lack of a control group raise questions, I think three years younger sounds fantastic. So I decided to give some of these face yoga moves a try.
Face Yoga Moves to Try
A heads-up: If you dive into face yoga, do it alone in a locked bathroom. You may feel a bit silly, and you probably won’t want an audience for your quirky expressions. (Unless you’re one of those free-spirited individuals who participates in naked yoga—no thanks, I’ll pass.)
Here are a few face yoga moves I attempted, which I’ve humorously dubbed with mom-themed names. On the left, we have “What Are You Doing, Kid?!” and on the right, “Yikes, That Diaper Smells Horrific.” Opening your eyes wide combats the habitual frowning many of us endure (hello, resting face), while puffing out your cheeks helps strengthen those youthful cheek muscles (though it may make your chin resemble a certain unmentionable form).
Some poses require a little assistance. I labeled one pose “If You Don’t Stop Making Noise, My Head Might Explode,” and another “Smile While Listening to Your Kid Talk About Minecraft So They Don’t Grow Up Resentful.” Gently pulling back on your eyes helps reduce crow’s feet, while lifting your cheeks with resistance gives you those desirable cheekbones.
Lastly, there’s “If I Keep Looking Up, I Can Ignore the Mess on the Floor,” which tones neck muscles, and “Mommy’s Gone to Her Happy Place,” a total relaxation of your facial muscles. Relaxing your face is trickier than it appears, especially with a child knocking on the bathroom door.
Conclusion
So there you have it: face yoga isn’t complicated. If it can help keep the jowls at bay for a few more years, I’m all for making goofy faces in front of the mirror for a few minutes each day.
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Summary
Face yoga is an intriguing alternative to traditional yoga, offering exercises that may help reduce facial wrinkles and promote a youthful appearance. Supported by research indicating that participants appear younger after practicing these facial exercises, face yoga is worth a try. Just be prepared to make some silly faces along the way!