There are over 60 muscles in the face, but we only actively use about 30% of them in our regular expressions like smiling and frowning. Targeting these muscles can lift and firm the skin and naturally get rid of wrinkles.
Face yoga exercises stimulate microcirculation and bring more oxygen to the cells, making the complexion look more balanced, even, and brighter. The breathing exercises instill a mindfulness practice that helps you better manage your emotions so you look and feel more serene.
Though it may feel a little silly contorting your face into unnatural positions –puffing out your cheeks, sticking your tongue out from side to side, and puckering your lips like a fish – research has shown that face yoga may be effective in improving the structural appearance of your face by strengthening the muscles of the cheeks and face.
Face yoga exercises can relax overactive muscles while toning weaker muscles, which helps to prevent sagging and expression lines. Massage helps to boost circulation, improve lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, and release tension. Acupressure techniques boost circulation and relieve stress, which can aid in preventing headaches, improving posture, releasing sinuses, reducing teeth grinding, and enhancing the quality of your sleep.
The potential functional and aesthetic benefits of face yoga are numerous. Regular practice may help to:
I Control face muscles
I Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
I Promote proper nostril breathing
I Firm the neckline
I Reprogram muscle memory
I Improve symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
I Make your face more symmetrical
I Reduce the appearance of dark undereye circles
I Improve confidence
I Tone face muscles
I Correct sagging
I Generate positive emotions
I Make your face less rounded
7 Easy Face Yoga Exercises for Beginners
1- Clean the face with a natural cleanser and gently exfoliate with our natural konjac sponge.
2 - Perform the following exercises according to your own comfort level. You may feel warmth from the friction of stimulation, but you should not experience pain or burning discomfort.
3 - So your fingers can glide easily over your skin, apply a few drops of our rich Enlightening Night Serum to your face before beginning the exercises. Massaging the serum into your skin will lead to deeper absorption.
Tips! Use our Ceramic Gua Sha or Tsubo-oshi massage tools for enhanced benefits.
1- Massage the inner corner of your eyes, pinching the bridge of your nose, for 30 seconds.
2- Circle gently in one direction for 30 seconds.
3- Repeat in the opposite direction.
Stimulating this accupressure point helps reduce eye strain from long hours in front of a screen. Practice this periodically when working at the computer, or at night before going to bed.
1- Start with your ring fingers on the inside of your eyebrows and gently tap along the contour of your eyebrows toward the outside of your eyebrows.
2- Press into your temples for a few seconds.
3- Continue to tap above your cheekbones to the inner corner of your eyes.
4- Continue in this circular motion for 30 seconds.
This exercise boosts oxygen circulation and alleviates puffiness. Tap very lightly around this sensitive area of the face.
1- Apply a few drops of Enlightening Night Serum on your forehead.
2- Place your fingertips or gua sha sculpting tool at the center of your forehead, facing inwards.
3- Gently press your fingertips or the flat long edge of the gua sha into your forehead as you glide slowly toward your temples.
4- Continue tracing the arches from the center of your forehead to your temples for 30 seconds.
Continue tracing the arches from the center of your forehead to your temples for 30 seconds.
1- Tilt your head back slightly.
2- Place your fingers or the long edge of the gua sha at the top of your neck.
3- Apply gentle pressure as you glide your fingers or the gua sha down to your collarbone.
4- Press into your collarbone for a few seconds before releasing your fingers.
5- (optional) Using the tsubo-oshi tools, start behind the head near the edge of the hairline and gently move down along the neck toward each shoulder.
6- Continue each exercise for 30 seconds.
This exercise boosts lymphatic drainage and alleviates neck tension. It helps to correct sagging skin around your jaw and neck.
This exercise engages the muscles in your jaw and neck.
1- While seated, make a fist with your left hand and place it on the outside of your jaw with your thumb facing down. (optional: place the tsubo-oshi on the outside of your jaw)
2- Turn your head toward your fist, feeling a stretch on the side of your neck.
3- Don’t allow your hand to move.
4- Then press your jaw toward your hand for a few seconds.
5- Gently release.
6- Repeat on the opposite side.
This exercise engages the muscles in your jaw and neck.
1- From a seated position, lean forward to brace your hands on your knees or the floor.
2- Inhale deeply through your nose.
3- Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and stretch your tongue toward your chin.
4- Forcibly exhale your breath across the base of your tongue while making a “ha” sound.
5- Relax and breathe normally.
6- Repeat up to 7 times.
7- Breathe deeply for 1 to 3 minutes.
Also known as Lion’s breath, or Lion’s pose, this is a breathing exercise that reduces stress and relaxes your face muscles.
1- Start at your forehead and use your fingertips to rhythmically tap your skin.
2- Continue all along your face toward your jaw.
3- Next, tap the front of your neck and across your shoulders.
4- Then move up along the back of your neck to your head.
5- Finally, rub your palms together to generate heat.
6- Cup your hands over your face and breathe deeply for several breaths. (for aromatherapeutic benefits, use the reflexology massage cream and breathe in the rich forest blend of Japanese Cypress (Hiba), Yuzu peel, Copaiba balsam (rich in beta-caryophyllene) , Black spruce (rich in pinene)
Tapping promotes relaxation and boosts circulation.
Face yoga is a wonderful self care ritual that offers many lasting benefits when practiced daily. Facial muscles are small, so you will see and feel positive results with as little as 2-3 minutes of practice a day. It’s easy to incorporate into your morning or evening routine, during a work break, or while you are watching television. Ideally, setting aside 20-30 minutes of daily face yoga practice and adding positive affirmations to the routine can help cultivate self love and gratitude for our faces and improve the quality of our skin.
Taking time for yourself each day is a great way to practice mindfulness, as it heightens your awareness and reminds you to tune into how your body is feeling.
Taking time for yourself each day is a great way to practice mindfulness, as it heightens your awareness and reminds you to tune into how your body is feeling.
In addition to these self care rituals, it is important to sleep well, reduce stress, and maintain a healthy diet.
Holistic health and self care are the keys to glowing skin, because the way you take care of yourself inside radiates outward.
Train and Learn more about Face Yoga with Shikohin during our:
Online Face Yoga Workshop
From June 14-July 19 (open enrollment)
Weekly, Tuesdays at 6pm PST
Sessions: Online via Zoom
Session Length: 30 minutes (20 min class, 10 min Q&A)
Free Event (valued at $180)
Free from synthetics for gentle care
Leaping Bunny certified for a kinder world
No animal-derived ingredients for conscious skincare
Uncompromised health and results
Traditional ingredients for modern healing
Rigorous quality, safety, and purity checks
