About the last blog, I wrote on Face Yoga, here is another one whereby I will explain the different types of exercises you can do every day.
If you think of working out and the thought of gym kinds of bums you out, you can do one type of exercise without lifting any heavy equipment or walking on a treadmill. There are more than one way to get a workout that is about your face. With the right facial exercises, you can work out your face. This beauty trend is gaining popularity like wildfire across social media, and there is always a growing face yoga method that is appearing every day.
If you are interested in trying this, then here are some exercises that you can do at home or work or even stuck in the traffic.
EXERCISE 1: THE BLOWUP METHOD
Remember when you were little and eating your face like a sunfish or a bullfrog? For this method of facial yoga, you will do the same thing. Fill your cheeks with air until your face is full, swollen, and round. Relax and repeat.
EXERCISE 2: THE CHEESIN’ (COMING) METHOD
Who doesn’t like to smile loud and proud? With this facial yoga exercise, you’re going to chew hard. First, smile hard (with your teeth)! Then, gently place your finger between your nose and lips. Lift your muscles while gently pressing down, creating resistance. Relax and repeat.
EXERCISE 3: THE BEND AND BREAK METHOD
Maybe not so fast, but you will undoubtedly lean on this method of facial yoga. Bend your head back, bending your neck so that your chin is pointing towards the ceiling. Then press your tongue against the palate, smile (we like the exercises with a joyful facial expression), and swallow. As always, release your position and repeat.
EXERCISE 4: THE SURPRISE! METHOD
Do you know the facial expression that all the characters in the movies made when they were shocked or surprised? That’s what you’re going to do for this facial yoga exercise! All you have to do is widen your eyes as wide as possible to get the best-surprised face. Hold that expression for as long as you can – until your eyes start to water! Then relax your face and start again.
EXERCISE 5: THE ZEN METHOD
This facial yoga method is different from the others in that, well, it forces you to do nothing. Nothing, except you, relax your face. Close your eyes and let your face become entirely still – no tight muscles, just a pure being. Don’t let your mind wander and instead focus on your breathing.
EXERCISE 6: THE GET SILLY METHOD
Ready to go crazy? All you have to do for this simple facial yoga pose is to stick your tongue out as far as you can. Hold, release, and repeat!
EXERCISE 7: THE GHOST METHOD
Boo! This facial yoga exercise looks like a facial expression you can imagine yourself doing with a ghost. Open your mouth to form an “O,” then wrap your lips inward around your teeth. Drop your jaw as far as you can, then lift your eyes. Talk about a stretch!
EXERCISE 8: THE GETTING FISHY METHOD
Again a throwback to your childhood, you’ll want to imitate your best fish head for this exercise. To do so, suck your cheeks inward while pinching your lips. Release and repeat.
Why Should You Try Facial Yoga?
The physical benefits of facial yoga are many, so facial exercises are often recommended in recovery plans for people with facial paralysis. Orofacial myofunctional therapy, as it is formally called, is a system that mimics the movements of the facial neuromuscular system. By teaching the face, mouth, tongue, and neck to coordinate correctly, facial exercises are expected to help solve health problems such as
– Neck pain
– TMJ
– Snoring
– Headaches
– Speech related problems
Reduce wrinkles and get rid of headaches? It sounds like the perfect solution! Also, a study published last year revealed that facial exercises could even improve your mental health. Seniors in an assisted living center followed 30-minute facial exercise programs twice a week for 12 weeks. The findings suggested that these exercises improved their mental health and that this type of therapy could be a useful alternative to physical activity for people with poor motor skills.
