The Ultimate Guide to Daily Face Yoga: Look and Feel Refreshed

November 5, 2024

Do you ever have these mornings when you look in the mirror and struggle to recognize yourself? As we age, the skin and muscles in our face lose some of their volume and can start to drop a bit. Face Yoga is one way of targeting these areas specifically and rejuvenating your face naturally.

It’s more than a TikTok trend, even though the social media platform has helped popularize it incredibly over the past few years. Think of it as a powerful alternative to fillers and cosmetic procedures. Here’s what you need to know.  

What is Face Yoga? 

If you’re following beauty and fitness trends on social media at all, you’ve most likely heard of face yoga. People of all ages seem to have climbed on the bandwagon. But what is face yoga actually? Face yoga is a series of stretches, exercises, and massage techniques specifically for your face and neck.  

Think of it as a very targeted workout for the muscles in your face. Depending on how you count them, there are around 30 muscles on each side of your face. They help you smile, frown, chew, and support every other facial expression.  

Does Face Yoga Work?  

French actress Catherine Deneuve has been credited with saying “At a certain age, you have to choose between your face and your buttocks.” Well, she used a less printable word, but that doesn’t change the element of truth in the sentiment. People with fuller face often have fewer wrinkles than leaner people.  

While face yoga can’t completely stop your face from displaying signs of aging, it can stimulate muscles in your neck and face, toning and tightening them. Face yoga exercises also improve blood circulation in your face, helping it appear healthier.  

Plus, many of the face yoga exercises you might practice, encourage you to relax your face and reduce tension and strain. That means less frowning and scowling and a smoother, cleaner look. There may not be much scientific evidence (yet) as such, but the number of practitioners swearing by these exercises is growing. 

Is Face Yoga Really Yoga? 

Good question. While few modern yoga practices have specific exercises for your face, several asanas emphasize stretching or relaxing your neck and shoulders and relaxing your face as you synchronize your movement with your breath.  

Facial exercises are also an integral part of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. So, yoga and Ayurveda share their Indian origin. They’re also both rooted in the Vedic system of wellness. Face yoga may not be a traditional form of yoga, but exercising facial and neck muscles is certainly part of ancient Indian wellness practices. 

Can Face Yoga Fix My Double Chin? 

Having a double chin has long been associated with aging and weight gain. However, if we’re honest, every one of us has that second layer if you tuck your chin toward your chest.  

Face yoga can strengthen the muscles around your jaw and your neck to minimize the appearance of a double chin. To take things further, you also need to think about hydration, a well-balanced diet, and an overall healthy lifestyle. 

Face yoga may not lead to the dramatic changes that a surgical facelift would offer, but it can improve your appearance. 

How Often Should I Practice Face Yoga? 

As with all forms of yoga, meditation, and other practices, consistency is the key to seeing results. Practicing face yoga once for an hour will not reap many benefits. However, one of the most regularly cited studies looking into the efficiency of face yoga has shown that participants’ faces looked younger thanks to upper and lower cheeks appearing fuller.  

The study’s participants practiced face yoga day for eight weeks, followed by practicing every other day for 12 weeks. Consistency certainly paid off.  

Can I Combine Face Yoga with Other Yoga Practices? 

As with any other form of yoga practice, there is more than one way of integrating it into your daily routine. One option would be to dedicate ten minutes every morning to practicing in front of the mirror and get your circulation going in the morning. Doing the same thing in the evening would help relax muscles and relieve tension that can lead to wrinkles over time.  

If you have an established yoga practice, add exercises that lengthen and stretch your neck and help you relax your facial muscles. Ask your Uptown Yoga instructor during your next class to emphasize asanas that support your face and neck area. We’re always happy to help you expand your practice.