A smiling face lifts the mood and brings lightness and calm to our surroundings. A popular study shows that a baby smiles 400 times a day, while adults smile only about 8 times. It's easy to assume that stress is one of the main reasons adults lose their natural nature — and with it, their smile. Stress can sneak into our lives for various reasons and unknowingly appear on our faces. It causes premature aging, dullness, and is often behind our constantly tired look. Practicing yoga is perhaps one of the best ways to overcome stress and bring brightness back to your face.
Sukshma yoga means subtle or gentle yoga. It’s a powerful yogic method for relaxing muscles that have become tense due to lack of physical activity and accumulated stress. Face yoga rejuvenates us in minutes and brings back freshness. It also relaxes the muscles and nerve connections. So let’s get ready to do a few simple and effective yoga techniques:
Around the Eye!
Clench your fists with your thumbs extended outward. Now close your eyes and gently start moving your right thumb around your right eye, and your left thumb around your left eye. Move your thumbs with light pressure in circular motions around the eyes. Do the exercise for 2–3 minutes.
How it works: It helps reduce dark circles and relaxes the muscles around the eyes.
Surprise Me!
Widen your eyes as much as possible to show as much of the white part as you can. Then shut your eyes tightly. Open them wide again and close them once more. Continue the exercise quickly until your eyes start to water. Now close your eyes and relax. Do this for 3–4 minutes.
How it works: This exercise strengthens the muscles around the eyes and forehead. It also improves eyesight and may even help you stop using glasses if done consistently.
Puff Up!
Inhale through your mouth and puff out your cheeks for a few seconds. Then release the air through your mouth and repeat the exercise 8–10 times.
How it works: This exercise strengthens the cheek muscles and prevents them from becoming thin and sunken. If you look at saxophone players, you'll notice their cheeks are always firm. When you use muscles in a specific way, it changes the appearance of your face. Practice this for fresh and full cheeks.
Kiss Me!
Smile widely and then try to stretch your mouth even further. Then bring your lips together and blow a kiss! Repeat this 20–25 times.
How it works: This exercise relaxes the muscles around the lips and cheeks while refreshing the face. Pink cheeks and an unshakable smile — those are the results of this beautiful and easy face yoga technique. And while you’re smiling, don’t forget — keep practicing until you truly feel it!
Chin Up!
Hold your chin so that both thumbs are placed underneath it. Start pressing upward on your chin from below using only your thumbs. Do this for 2–3 minutes.
How it works: This technique helps relieve lazy bowels and improves digestion. It can also help with stomach issues.
Pull Your Ears!
Grab the ear lobes and gently pull them downward for about 30 seconds. Then pull them outward for the next 30 seconds. While still holding the lobes, begin rotating them clockwise and then counterclockwise for 30 seconds each.
How it works: This exercise builds awareness and releases tension from the facial muscles.
Raise Your Eyebrows!
Hold your eyebrows with your fingers in such a way that you can gently pull them from the center outward. Do this for 3–4 minutes.
How it works: This exercise relaxes you and, through massaging, releases accumulated stress around the eyebrows.
These simple exercises can be done anywhere, anytime. Practicing them regularly helps you feel fresh throughout the day. Whether you’re heading to an interview or have an important meeting, take a few minutes to refresh your face with these exercises. Your face will radiate confidence and calmness, and at the same time, leave a positive impression on others. Doing these exercises right before meditation will also help you sink deeper into it.
