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Want to look younger without surgery or a huge price tag? Face yoga could be for you
If you’re splurging on expensive creams or even considering injectables, you’re not alone. But looking younger doesn’t need to be pricey. Why not try face yoga? It’s a combination of face exercises, massage, acupressure and relaxation, says expert and author Danielle Collins.
‘Just as your body needs exercise to stay toned, the 57 muscles in the face and neck also need to be exercised. As they become stronger, the skin attached to the muscles becomes taut, reducing lines.’ It can even improve your physical health, too.
3 mind and body benefits
Working out your face can boost your health from the inside
1 REDUCE HEADACHES
‘Face yoga is a great alternative to help ease pain and prevent headaches,’ says Danielle. So, how does it work? When we’re stressed, we often hold tension in our face. This can result in jaw clenching, headaches and frown lines.
Facial exercises boost blood circulation, improve tissue elasticity and increase the temperature of the soft tissues, helping to loosen muscle fibres and relieve tension. Not only does this help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, but it can help prevent headaches, too.
TRY: Smooth the brow.
2 ZAP STRESS
Changing levels of oestrogen and progesterone during the menopause disrupt the biochemistry of your brain and affect the production of mood-regulating hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. But, by adopting Danielle’s workout, inspired by age-old techniques from India and China, you can help promote a sense of wellbeing through reducing muscle tension.
How? The act of concentrating on a specific pose while breathing deeply encourages the body to turn off stress response chemicals, according to Psychology Today. This stops fatty acids and sugar from entering the bloodstream, which would be converted into energy, preparing us for ‘fight or flight.’ Stopping it in its tracks allows us to feel relaxed.
TRY: Smooth the brow.
3 GET RID OF TOXINS
Through an exercise such as the giraffe, we naturally give the lymph system a helping hand to drain toxins away from the face, towards the lymph nodes (in the neck) where they can be destroyed.
TRY: The giraffe.
Your at-home ‘workout’
EYEBROW LIFT
Place your two index fingers under the eyebrows. Very slowly, close your eyes and hold for 10 se
