It's the latest fad in anti-aging techniques: facial yoga. Yes, that's right: facial yoga. People are swarming to the exercise rooms, not to burn calories and tone their bodies, but to stretch and tone their faces. This trend developed as a more natural way to diminish wrinkles, without the use of Botox injections. But how exactly does it work?
Facial yoga promises to smooth away wrinkles and facial sagging by toning and stretching your facial muscles. The Satchmo position, for example, claims to keep your cheeks firm and youthful. By puffing up your cheeks with air, and transferring the air from one cheek to the other, you will ensure tight, wrinkle-free cheeks.
Another technique, known as Lion Face, instructs the participant to squeeze facial muscles while inhaling though the nose and tightening the fists. Then, the participant is to exhale through the mouth, while sticking out the tongue, rolling the eyes, and opening the hands. This maneuver is said to stretch facial muscles and release tension.
Proponents of facial yoga emphatically claim that these facial toning methods revitalize their skin by combining the traditional yoga methods - breathing and relaxation exercises - with facial stretching exercises. The facial toning techniques, advocates claim, are said to increase the level of blood circulation to the face, neck, and scalp. This enriches cells in the area with more oxygen and nutrients, allowing for an inner glow to illuminate your complexion.
However, this proposal seems to be somewhat flawed. It is true that the more you move your facial muscles, the more blood may flow to your face, and a slight glow could result. However, this is a temporary effect, and the glow will fade. If, for example, you irritate your arm by pinching it, you will notice that the skin will give off a reddish hue. This is because blood is rushing to the area. Give your arm a few minutes of rest, however, and your skin will return to its original luster. A more permanent "glow" could be achieved by improving your cardiovascular, hormonal, and circulatory systems, which will constantly bring more blood to your face.
Of course, these techniques have not been tested in any clinical settings, so the results are quite controversial. Those who practice facial yoga celebrate its effects, despite criticism from scientists.
Dr. Kathryn Frew, for instance, had this to say:
"Repeated facial expressions and muscle movements cause more wrinkling. It will not serve to lift and tone the face. As we age, we lose volume in our face as the fat, muscle, and bone atrophy
wth time, and the elasticity of the skin decreases.”
Dr. Jody Alpert Levine, plastic surgeon and dermatologist of NYC added:
“So much more goes into a healthy body than just exercise. It requires eating well, exercise, and limiting tension and environmental poisons. In conjunction with a healthy diet, moisturizing, sun block, and limiting stress, facial yoga may help.
Other dermatologists warn that strange facial contortions could cause a participant to spasm, leading to permanent damage.
However, not all reviews are negative. It is possible that facial yoga could strengthen muscles so that, when anxious, a person's face does not automatically fall into 'worried' expressions. Such expressions put much stress on our faces, cause wrinkles to develop, and should be avoided. It also seems to be more beneficial for muscle toning rather than wrinkles. While things like sagging skin cannot be avoided, you can tone the muscles in your face to appear more youthful.
Moreover, facial yoga is deemed to be very helpful for those who have experienced partial facial paralysis or who have problems like crooked smiles or squinting habits.
Annelise Hagen, creator of facial yoga, is a highly experienced yogi who has taught yoga as well as a variety of dance techniques. She currently teaches facial yoga at the New York Health and Racquet Club. Annelise says that her students always leave her classes looking younger and rejuvenated. Moreover, she says that facial yoga will give all who try it a chance to release from the stresses of life while having a laughable time making silly faces.
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