YOGA FOR YOUR FACE!

Forget Downward-Facing Dog, try the Puffer Fish and the Tongue Twister – two of the ingenious new exercises to help banish wrinkles

Early in my career as a yoga teacher, I remember one client saying to me: ‘I just wish my face matched my body.’

She was lithe and flexible, having worked hard to keep supple. But her comment echoed my own thoughts. Why do we only use yoga below the neck?

There are so many muscles above the collarbone, and these are the ones that are constantly on show. after all, our faces are the most recognisable part of our bodies.

So I set out to provide a toolbox of simple yet effective techniques combining traditional Eastern techniques with new Western research and philosophies.

The muscles in the face are composed slightly differently to those in the body. They are all attached to each other, the bone or the skin and mostly controlled by the facial nerve (our body muscles on the other hand are usually controlled by our bones). This is what gives us the ability to make expressions. So our facial muscles need to be targeted differently. Some might need to be toned; others relaxed.

When we are stressed, we can hold this strain in our facial muscles, causing deep- set lines and wrinkles. Expressions, when repeated over and over, can cause lines. So relaxing is key.

My method is a combination of face exercises, massage, acupressure and relaxation techniques designed to lift, firm, smooth and relax the face.

Daily face yoga can reduce current lines and prevent new ones forming.

There isn’t anything wrong with having wrinkles or lines. Every part of our face and our body changes with age. But my method will help prevent and reduce these things if you choose to. and it’s a method that can be used