Prevention (Australia)

Relax your face…

with yoga Yes, it’s a thing – and it works!

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New research has found that giving your face a gentle workout can have a surprising effect on your appearance. According to a new study from the Northweste­rn University School of Medicine in the US, 30 minutes of facial ‘yoga’ every day can help you look more youthful.

The theory? Building up muscle helps the face look fuller, counteract­ing loss of elasticity. “There is some evidence that facial exercises may reduce some visible signs of ageing,” lead author Dr Murad Alam says. “The exercises enlarge and strengthen the facial muscles, so the face becomes firmer and more toned.”

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle swears by the unconventi­onal method, and has reportedly attributed her sculpted cheekbones and jaw to celebrity aesthetici­an Nichola Joss, whose signature ‘inner facial’ involves massaging inside the mouth.

You can do it, too. Try this exercise developed by Gary Sikorski of Happy Face Yoga, a co-author on the research: Smile without showing teeth then purse lips together and smile, forcing cheek muscles up. Place fingers on corners of the mouth, slide them up to the top of the cheeks and hold for 20 seconds. It’s like a salute to the sun, for your cheekbones.

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