Could Face Yoga Really Be The Answer?
BBC News describes it as the new, natural, anti-ageing trend, while Vogue has dubbed it the solution to a healthy, sculpted glow. A-list celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Megan Markle have been swearing by it and it has taken TikTok by storm. According to Allison Mitchell, a certified face yoga maven with more than ten years of training, face yoga is everything but a fleeting trend.
The backstory
Facial exercises have come a long way, dating back to ancient India, China and Egypt. Some of the earliest mentions of face yoga can be traced back to the holistic Indian medical system, Ayurveda – a system that emphasised the importance of facial exercises and massage to maintain skin health and reduce the signs of ageing. Traditional Chinese medicine also included facial exercises. In fact, the skin scraping technique, Gua Sha, as well as facial acupressure were believed to rejuvenate the skin and improve blood circulation. Egyptians set the trend in motion too, with various luxurious skin rituals that included facial exercises and massage, using special tools made of jade and other stones.
Even on our own continent, African cultures have been known to use traditional double chin remedies, stretching their necks with brass coils to minimise the appearance of a double chin (which is often considered a sign of ageing or weight gain). Asian communities have been using herbal wraps to tighten the skin and reduce sagging, while many older manuscripts have recommended certain facial postures and repetitive facial movements as part of their traditional beauty guides.
Face Yoga Today
Today, numerous beauty experts have jumped on the bandwagon. Mzansi’s Laser Beautique’s FaceFit is one example, combining ancient beauty techniques, deep tissue massages, acupressure and technology to tone and tighten your face. “It’s not a facial. It’s a workout,” they say.
Pia Airaskorpi, a certified face yoga teacher and skincare specialist who has worked in medical aesthetics for over fifteen years, says there is a difference between facial massages and face yoga. “While in facial massage your muscles are virtually inactive and relaxed, face yoga is all about activating them and using your hands to help in the exercises. This boosts muscle mass, speeds up blood circulation and releases tension, leaving your appearance energetic and toned.”
While some – like The Guardian contributor, Madeleine Aggeler – are not convinced that face yoga really works, others believe it’s one of the most natural ways to improve blood flow and make your skin glow. From exercises that activate your skin and facial muscles, movements that smoothen your frown lines and release tensions, and daily reps that boost the liquid flow around the eye area, to rituals that lift your facial profile, correct your posture and reduce your double chin, there are ample guides online to choose from. Check out Face Yoga Aesthetica’s virtual classes by visiting www.faceyogaaesthetica.com.
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