As you age, your skin develops wrinkles, sags and becomes dry due to the loss of collagen and worsening circulation, according to Dr. William Jaremko, a dermatologist in Olean, NY. Fortunately, you do not have to go through medical procedures to keep your face young. Facial exercises will help diminish current signs of aging and stop new ones from forming. Consult your doctor prior to adding facial exercises to you daily routine.
Lion Pose
The lion pose, a facial yoga exercise, helps relieve tension from the face and strengthens the muscles on the front of the throat. Begin by kneeling on the floor with your left ankle on top of your right ankle. Sit back until your butt touches your feet. If this position hurts, you can perform this exercise in a seated position or chair, according to the Yoga Journal. Slowly inhale as you open your mouth wide and stretch your tongue out toward your chin as possible. Open your eyes as wide as possible and exhale slowly as you make a "ha" sound, similar to a lions roar, feeling the breath pass over the back of your throat.
Easy Pose
The Easy Pose, another facial yoga exercise, helps release the stress in your face and teaches you to stop clenching the muscles in your face, according to Annelise Hagen, author of "The Yoga Face." Learning to release tension from your face can help prevent wrinkles. Sit in a comfortable position on a blanket, legs crossed at the ankles if possible. Relax your hands on your knees. Consciously release the tension from the muscles in your face, chest, arms and back. Remain in this position for at least two to three minutes. Some people meditate in this position for 20 to 30 minutes.
Brow Smoother
The brow smoother, a facial yoga exercise, tones the muscles around the eyes and reduces or prevents fine lines from developing around the eyes and saggy skin around the eyes, advises Hagen. Find a comfortable seated position, holding your head tall, straightening your back, and crossing your legs at the ankles may improve your body's ability to relax in the pose. Close your eyes lightly as you place a pointer finger on the outside corner of each eyelid, at the edge of your eyebrow. Breathe slowly as you gently pull your eyelids apart until your skin becomes taught. Hold for 10 seconds and release.
Cheek Puff
The Cheek Puff strengthens the muscles in your cheeks, helping to reduce fine lines around your mouth. This exercise also helps reduce the formation of jowls. Sit, stand or lie down as you take a deep breath and push air into your cheeks to puff them out. Hold the air in your cheeks by tightly closing your lips. Hold for five seconds, as recommended by the Ohio State University Medical Center. Exhale and take a second breath. Push the air into your right cheek. Hold the air in your right cheek by tightening the muscles in your left cheek. Repeat on the left side.
References
- Dr. William M Jaremko; Dermatologist; Olean, New York
- "The Yoga Face"; Annelise Hagen; 2007
- The Ohio State University Medical Center: Facial Strenthening Exercises
- Yoga Journal: Lion Pose
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