First impressions are the most lasting. And you only get one chance to make that first impression. Moreover, your face is the first thing that people look at. A smiling face lightens the mood, attracts people, and puts them at ease. A popular study reveals that a baby smiles 400 times a day while an adult smiles barely 8 times.
Undoubtedly, stress is the primary cause for the loss of sparkle and smile in adults. As a result, premature ageing, dullness, and weariness reflect on the face. Yoga is, perhaps, one of the best ways of overcoming this stress. It will help freshen up your fatigued face.
Lack of any kind of facial exercises and accumulation of stress can cause a build-up of tension in your facial muscles. A yoga technique called Sukshma Yoga can help release this tension. This technique consists of short, simple and subtle yoga exercises that can work wonders for your face. Facial yoga can rejuvenate your face within minutes and brighten it up. Your facial muscles and nerve connections will relax, thereby delaying the onset of wrinkles. Sukshma yoga is an excellent way of toning up your face.
So, let's get ready to do some simple and effective facial yoga exercises.
Peekaboo! Eye massage
Close your fists while holding the thumb upright. Now close your eyes. Gently start moving your right thumb on the right eye and your left thumb on the left eye. Move your thumbs with gentle pressure on the eyes to make circles around them. Do this exercise for 2 to 3 minutes.
How does it work?
It helps you get rid of dark circles and releases the tension in the muscles around your eyes.
Surprise me! Blinking eye exercise
Widen your eyes, trying to expose as much of the whites in your eyes as you can. Then, squeeze your eyes tight. Open wide, and squeeze again. Keep doing this rapidly, till your eyes seem to start watering. Now close your eyes and relax. Do this eye exercise for 3 to 4 minutes.
How does it work?
You exercise the muscles around your eyes and your forehead. This facial exercise improves your eyesight. It may reduce the necessity of wearing spectacles over a period of time.
Get cheeky! Cheek exercise
Breathe in from your mouth and puff up both your cheeks for a couple of seconds. Now release the breath through your mouth and repeat 8 to 10 times. You will understand how wind instrumentalists feel.
How does it work?
This pose is good for toning your face. It strengthens your cheek muscles and prevents them from becoming thin and hollow.
People who play wind instruments like the saxophone tend to have firm cheeks. When you exercise your facial muscles like this, it changes your appearance. So, do this cheek exercise for toned and plump cheeks.
Kiss Me! Mouth exercise
Smile widely and stretch your mouth as much as you can. Now, press your lips tightly together and kiss! Repeat this exercise 20 to 25 times.
How does it work?
This facial exercise relaxes the muscles around the lips and cheeks and also brightens up the face. You will be the proud owner of pink cheeks and aluminous smile! When you don’t feel upbeat, remember – fake it till you make it. Sooner or later, it becomes real!
Look up! Chin exercise
Hold your chin such that the thumbs of both your hands are below the chin. Start pressing the chin from the lower side. Move upwards only with the help of your thumbs. Do this for 2 to 3 minutes.
How does it work?
This technique will help you get rid of your double chin. Regular chin exercise can lead to a well defined jawline.
Apologise! Ear exercise
Hold your ear lobes and pull them downwards for about 30 seconds. For the next 30 seconds, pull your ear lobes outwards. While holding your ear lobes, rotate them clockwise and anti-clockwise for about 30 seconds each.
How does it work?
This exercise brings awareness and also releases tension from the facial muscles.
Push and pull! Eyebrow exercise
Hold your eyebrows with your fingers such that you can pull the eyebrows from the center towards the end of the eyebrows. Do this for 3 to 4 minutes.
How does it work?
This facial exercise relaxes you as it massages and relieves stress from your eyebrow area.
Yoga exercises for the face
These simple facial exercises can be done anywhere and at any time. Regular practice will keep you fresh throughout the day. You can even do these exercises just before an interview or presentation. Your face will radiate confidence and composure. There is another icing on the cake. By practicing these facial yoga exercises, your meditation becomes more profound and powerful.
There is another small step you could take to make a giant leap into genuine happiness. Enrol in The Art of Living's Happiness Program. The flagship breathing exercise, Sudarshan Kriya, is a great way to overcome negativity and stress. It has helped millions around the world. You can learn the Sudarshan Kriya at a Happiness Program near you.
Yoga practice helps develop the body and mind bringing a lot of health benefits. However, it is not a substitute for medicine. It is important to learn and practice yoga postures under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga postures after consulting a doctor and a Sri Sri Yoga teacher.