Thanks in no small part to social media, face yoga has taken the beauty world by storm.
With celebs and influencers alike touting the powers of facial fitness, face yoga has become one of the most talked about above-the-neck sculpting techniques designed to lift and tone muscles naturally. But what is it and what are the real benefits?
Certified Durban Face Yoga teacher Soraya Adolph unpacks it all, and shares a few worthwhile tips to help you curate a healthier and happier new you in 2024!
Passionate about cooking, nutrition and helping people from all walks of life feel comfortable in their own skin, Soraya believes that a holistic approach to skincare is not only less invasive and longer lasting than treatments like Botox and fillers, but it also changes how people think and speak to themselves.
She got into face yoga by pure fluke in 2017, and today, on top of a host of other hobbies she enjoys, she is in her best element when hosting corporate wellness group workshops and private events – like bridal showers – as well as teaching private online classes, so you can practice in the comfort of your own home.
“From the day I started practising, I looked at myself differently in the mirror. I started to gain confidence; I felt empowered and proud, and that ultimately changed my life. I felt that positivity grow and start to radiate into every corner of my life … a side effect I never expected from Face Yoga!”
With more and more people on the hunt for a more natural and holistic way of life, Soraya says face yoga has become the trend of the town when it comes to wellness and skincare.
“The results have proven, even to the sceptics, that face yoga is helpful when it comes to reversing the signs of aging naturally. Ultimately our skin begins to age in our early 20s, so this would be the ideal time to start preventative measures and retain your skin’s elasticity, collagen production, texture, and overall healthy and radiant appearance but, it’s never too late or too early to start. My clients range anywhere from kids who use face yoga for therapy to women in their late 70s! You can see results at any age.”
As we approach the end of the year, Soraya says it’s easy for us to get caught up in the season.
“As wives, mothers, daughter, sisters, grandmothers and aunts, we tend to forget that we are also important, so we put ourselves last, or we don’t even consider ourselves at all. This is the perfect time to remind ourselves to focus on self-love and self-care and strengthening our connections with ourselves.”
Instead of waiting for the New Year to make unrealistic resolutions, Soraya encourages those who need it most to start now by setting intentions, new habits and new routines for a healthier, happier life.
How it works …
We have almost 60 facial muscles, yes 60, and just like when we want to tone our bodies we exercise our muscles, we can do the same for our faces.
“Our skin is attached to our muscles. Gravity pulls our muscles down, which causes our skin to sag. When we do repetitive movements to firm and tone the muscles, the skin on the outside becomes firm too, reducing and preventing wrinkles. Face yoga also increases blood circulation and the production of collagen and elastin which improves the tone and texture of your skin resulting in a beautiful glow.”
Unlike other facial exercises, face yoga exercises also focus on breathing and posture. This is said to help reduce any muscle tension you might be feeling and balances the effects of stress and strained facial expressions from unconscious habits.
“I like to include affirmations to my face yoga practise which makes room, not only for incredible physical changes, but mental and emotional changes too. I thrive on seeing how this practise continues to empower women to reclaim their confidence and fall in love with the person they see in the mirror.”
The WOW pose
This is a great pose to release tension and stress from the face. It wakes up the face muscles and uplifts the mood.
How to: Take a deep breath in, then breathe out. Say ‘WOW’ 10 times in a very slow exaggerated manner opening your mouth as wide as possible. Come out from the pose, and relax for three seconds while breathing in and out. Repeat twice more.
Tip – You don’t have to vocalize ‘WOW’ but it helps release tension.
The big O pose
This pose smooths the Nasolabial Fold lines and it improves blood circulation in the entire face and neck.
How to: Take a deep breath in, then breathe out. Drop your jaw and make an ‘O’ shape with your mouth. Open your eyes wide. You should feel muscle movement from the corner of your mouth to the corner of your eye area. Hold this pose for five seconds. Come out from the pose, and relax for three seconds while breathing in and out. Repeat twice more. After this pose, close your eyes and feel the sensation on your face.
Tip – Don’t overstress your face. Imagine that you’re yawning when you drop your jaw.
The cheek lifter pose
This pose firms and lifts up the cheeks, lifts up the corners of the mouth, and tones the neck area.
How to: Take a deep breath in, then breathe out. Move your jaw slightly forward. Curl your lower lip over your lower teeth. Smile making sure the corners of your mouth are at the same level. Lift up your chin slightly. Push your tongue up to the roof of your mouth. While breathing, keep pushing hard for 10 seconds. Come out from the pose, and relax for three seconds while breathing in and out. Repeat twice more.
Tip – If adding the tongue movement is too difficult you can skip it until you’re ready. Using the tongue tones the neck.
Natural face mask
If your skin is looking tired and dull, another self-care ritual you can do is a face mask. The skin absorbs 60 per cent of what you put on it, so this holiday season keep it natural by trying this homemade mask with ingredients from your kitchen.
You’ll need: 1 tsp raw honey; 2 tsp Greek yogurt or any plain natural unsweetened yogurt. Soraya likes double thick. For a Vegan option, coconut or soy yogurt can be used.
What to do: Wash your face, apply the mask for 10 to 15 mins, and rinse off with cold water. Don’t let the mask dry on your face. Do this twice a week.
