Face Pilates Techniques For Toned, Sculpted Skin

What is A FACE WORKOUT, ANYWAY?

Face yoga or pilates is exactly what it sounds like: A face workout designed to tone your skin as well as the underlying muscles and tissues.

“The face is made up of muscles, ligaments, fascia and other layers of tissue that can hold tension and get tight; we need to work out the face, just like any other area of the body,” explains Candace Marino of @thelafacialist.

The practice uses “muscle exercises, conscious breathing and correction of body posture to tighten tone and lift the face,” says Vanamala Mayr-Reisch the founder of Face Yoga Australia, explaining that it can assist with smoothing wrinkles, restoring facial symmetry, and targeting areas such as frown lines, droopy eyes, and marionette lines.

THE BENEFITS

According to Mayr-Reisch, consistently practicing face yoga can:

• Improve skin tightness and tone, leaving skin looking lifted
• Reduce inflammation on the skin
• Help increase blood circulation
• Release tension in jaw, neck, shoulders, and help prevent headaches.

Marino also suggests face yoga can assist in slowing down the ageing process, by toning your facial muscles, resulting in sculpted, firm skin.

TWO EASY FACE EXERCISES TO TRY AT HOME

Ready to dip your toe into facial massage Here are two techniques that Mayr-Reisch recommends and teaches at Face Yoga Australia to get you on your face tone-y way.

Exercise #1

Goal: To reshape your jawline, strengthen neck muscles, and lift a double chin.

Do this:

1. Sitting upright, place your tongue behind your upper front teeth
2. Look up towards the ceiling and begin to gently lift your head
3. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and repeat 10 times.
4. Come down and repeat for another two sets.

Exercise #2

Goal: To strengthen cheek muscles (which are key to lifting the face overall), reduce marionette lines, and smooth smoker lines. (Note! You need a pencil for this exercise.)

Do this:

1. Curl your upper and lower lips over your teeth
2. Pull up the corners of your mouth to a smile
3. Place a pencil horizontally between your lips and hold it gently with your lips.
4. Hold this position for 30 seconds.

FIVE USEFUL TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Okay, you know the benefits, you’ve got your exercises, but is there anything else you should know before diving into the world or face yoga? Yes! Here are five things to keep in mind as you get started.

1. Identify any habits you want to change
   It could be frowning, pulling down the corners of your mouth, or clenching your teeth, says Mayr-Reisch. Becoming aware of them is the first step, then you can begin trying to avoid them in future and retrain yourself with better habits that are suited to your personal goals.

2. Prep well
   You want a nice, smooth skin base before you jump into any facial massaging exercises. If it’s towards the end of your day (which feels the most therapeutic) a double cleanse is going to soften the skin and ensure you aren’t pushing any impurities deeper into your pores. And a chemical exfoliant is going to whisk away the last of that buildup while initiating cell turnover. 

Once your canvas is nice and prepped, kick off your face exercises with a warm-up pose and stretch: “With assistance from your hand, drop the head towards one shoulder, stretching in the direction of the head, then switch to the other side. After balancing out each side, use both hands to massage the muscles at the top of the spine, neck, working up into the skull.’ suggests Marino. And that would be a lovely time to incorporate a few drops of oil, nourishing the skin as your self-massage begins. 

3. Set yourself a goal
   Consider what you think feels achievable and realistic to get you started and then stick to it for at least four weeks. Once you’ve reached the four week mark you may find you want to readjust your goals.

4. Don’t overdo it
   Aim to practice once or twice a day max. And if you’re having trouble sneaking it into your day? “I always recommend incorporating it during downtime- so while watching TV or even in the shower,” says Marino.

5. Use upward movements
   “As a rule of thumb, when we massage or manually work out the face (and body!), we want to always move in an upward motion,” says Marino. This is to encourage lifting and to help attain a firmer, sculpted look.

This skincare-y x self-care-y blog was originally published by our good mates over at Go-To!