About Face Yoga
The Face is the identity of each of us and the one that makes us, above all, unique.
It is the first thing people notice about us and the first reason for being liked, admired or, on the contrary.
It is the mirror of our experiences of joy or sadness and the testimony of our physical and emotional health.
It is the first one, which completely uncovered, confronts the heat of the summer or the frost of the winter, the pollution of the cities, the stale air and the artificial lighting in the offices and so on.
And even though it’s so important, because we live in such a visual world and want to keep our youth as long as possible, we are not too caring about our face.
And when the mirror no longer shows what we desire, we seek for silver bullets, miraculous solutions to solve the problems that have arisen. Thus, the temptation to enter the carousel of expensive facial treatments and creams, injections, lasers and knives that promise eternal youth and beauty. But somewhere, along with a “new face,” something of that uniqueness of each of us is lost.
However, now we have a natural and powerful tool for slowing down the signs of aging and for diminishing the already existing ones – Face Yoga.
1. What is Face Yoga?
Simply put, Face Yoga is a way of exercising our face muscles the same way we are training our body muscles, to keep them young and toned.
Actually, it’s a unique combination of facial expressions and body postures which are done in a very focused way, using intention, attention and conscious breathing. This way, the mind is also involved in the process. From this union of body, mind and breath working together comes the analogy with yoga.
Face Yoga Method was created 12 years ago and developed in time by Fumiko Takatsu, a Japanese teacher, who, because of a bad car accident, remained with an asymmetry of the face.
She was looking for solutions to correct that asymmetry, so she created one by one poses designed to works specifically the muscles which needed tonus and repositioning. In time she created more and more poses, completed and refined them and this way Face Yoga Method was born and become a real phenomenon first in Japan, then in other countries, such as USA, where Fumiko lives now.
Face Yoga focuses on the facial movements and expressions and teaches us how to use the face muscles correctly and consciously, by alternating relaxation and toning exercises, the result being a firm, more sculpted face line.
The main idea behind the method is that, even though we see the aging signs at the skin level, be it wrinkles, sagging area, droopy eyes and so on, a significant role is the aging process is played by the facial muscles. Especially as there are more than 40 small, delicate, fine and flat muscles, placed immediately under the skin.
In other words, once we manage to tone the muscles, the benefits will also show on the skin and will impact our general appearance.
An immediate consequence of exercising the face muscles is that the blood circulation is improved.
The deep, conscious breath is one of the key factors in Face Yoga, as it promotes even better blood circulation and thus, more oxygen and nutrients reach the muscles and the skin.
The summary of the process is as follows:
2. What problems does Face Yoga solve?
Face Yoga is a solution for diminishing, softening and even vanishing the signs of aging, but also a prevention method.
We can make a distinction between 2 types of aging: the normal aging and the premature one.
The normal aging is caused by the time going by and the gravity action. In time the cheeks start losing their firmness, the eyelids and the corners of the mouth drop, the nose becomes longer, the skin gets dull and thinner.
As we age, the production of collagen and elastin, the 2 proteins which are responsible for the firmness and elasticity of the skin decreases. We lose 1-2% /year after the age of 30. The cellular regeneration turnover cycle increases from 28 days, when we are young, to 45, 50 and even 60 days when we reach 70 years old, leading to the accumulation of dead cells that give the wrinkled, rough and sagging look of the skin.
But, besides these things which are normal, or which can be only partially delayed or controlled, we can also speak about a premature aging of the face and neck.
This is caused by the repetitive, unconscious movements we are doing so many times a day. For example: unnecessary frowning of the forehead, tilting the head on one side when speaking on the phone, chewing the food or sleeping mostly on one side, bending the head towards the floor when reading or typing when using the phone.
These facial movements tense the muscles by keeping them in certain positions, and the skin overlying the muscles begins to form lines or to sag.
These are habits which are adding years to our faces because they are the first to create a certain issue and they also, by continuous repetition, aggravate the problem.
Additionally, demanding and disordered lifestyle, improper nutrition, lack of movement, faulty body postures, pollution and stress are factors that hurry up the signs of aging.
Actually, for best results, Face Yoga should be practiced along with healthy nutrition and hydration, body exercises and positive thinking.
Face Yoga gives us solutions for both types of aging, so we can regain the fresh, youthful and vibrant appearance.
3. Who can practice Face Yoga?
Face Yoga can be practiced at any age, but works best for people over 35-40 years old.
Why? Because it’s the time when the visible signs of aging show and because people start acknowledging them and really desire to find solutions for smoothing them and prevent others.
The same practice can be done by both women and men, as it works with the muscles. So, is different than addressing the skin issues, when the facial products and procedures must be adjusted accordingly.
4. Which are the benefits of practicing Face Yoga?
The benefits of practicing are both physical and mental.
We already mentioned the physical ones: a more defined face line, a radiant and healthy skin, a general younger and pleasant appearance.
But Face Yoga also improves self- control, self- confidence and the state of well-being.
The purposeful practice trains not only the face muscles, but also the mental “muscle” of achievement and accomplishment.
The commitment to dedicate time for self, the ability of having an active and conscious role in the way you age translate in increased self-esteem, pride and control.
5. What Face Yoga is not?
Face Yoga is not a miraculous method that will make you young overnight!
For those seeking for a silver bullet and radical transformation, Face Yoga is not appropriate.
Face Yoga is an integrative part of a conscious and self-caring life style which requires consistency, dedication, patience and realistic expectations in all its aspects