In my previous article “8 Simple Anti-Aging Tips From 47 Year Young Girl” I wrote about my organic process of learning “face yoga” for firming, elasticity and rejuvenation. In this article, I will go into a more in-depth explanation as to how, when and the benefits of face yoga. I will include a fun tutorial video snippet to get you started on your journey to living youthfully without costly, painful cosmetic surgery, botox procedures, and harmful practices.
My Belief
My passion for youthful living and self-care comes from empowering myself and others to practice using organic tools with self-application.
I believe that when we can use our own skills and awareness to start simple practices that work and are effective, we become empowered and start feeling beautiful from the inside out.
We all know that, especially for women, there is tremendous pressure to maintain our youth. The beauty industry has a very costly approach and, most often times, very harmful effects. It promotes comparison, celebrity idolization and unrealistic photoshopped images for us to strive to keep up with.
My intention is to empower you to start simple practices and use cost-effective tools to assist you in living your best life.
It’s not about “looking” the youngest it’s about “feeling” beautiful in your skin and owning your life force.
It all starts from within!
What conversations do you have with yourself about yourself? Do you affirm your youth, health, and beauty or do you project unhealthy patterns and thoughts towards yourself? These are very important questions to ask yourself.
It doesn’t matter how much “face yoga”, beauty products and practices you do if your heart and thoughts aren’t centered on encouragement, non-comparison and daily positive affirming actions and thoughts towards yourself and others.
Here’s a simple guide to a daily routine of youthful living:
- Start each day with gratitude first.
- Drink lots of good water.
- Say affirmations that inspire, uplift and encourage you.
- Redirect your thoughts and words when they are negative.
- Eat fresh live whole foods as much as possible.
- Stay away from comparisons altogether.
- Bask in things that make your heart warm.
A little bonus that seems to be very powerful that I practice and now has become automatic is to bless others when you see their struggle. If you see someone with challenged health, skin and life force energy, say a prayer with intentional healing for them. See them vibrant, healthy with beautiful skin and a heart to match.
We can hold intentions for others and see them in their highest light. Prayer is powerful. By doing this for ourselves and others it empowers us and blessings flow. Never underestimate the power of your intentional thoughts and compassion.
Now let’s get into the practice of “face yoga!”
What is face yoga and where did it originate?
First off “face yoga” is a well-known practice that has existed for many years and there are many practitioners. I myself learned it from my mother by watching her as a child and had no knowledge of it before that. I’ve perfected it to fit my lifestyle.
There are a few scientific studies to mention of small group test studies that show positive results and enhanced youthful appearances from facial exercises and toning.
I have my own experience with it and by practicing it throughout my life, I deem myself the proof that it works. For me, that’s good enough! I see the results and if you know anything about yoga itself you know it most definitely strengthens, enhances and adds vital life force.
While practicing it I feel centered, inspired, present, and attentive to my needs. It’s fun, makes you feel lighthearted and refreshed.
How Do You Do Face Yoga?
You can literally practice face yoga anytime anywhere.
I choose to do it with my nightly beauty routine. This way I know I get it in daily and it sets the tone for a great nights rest. I wake feeling refreshed, revitalized with a firm face and neck, with a glow.
I cleanse and apply my nightly moisturizer while doing “face yoga” knocking out 3 vital practices simultaneously. Cleanse, moisturize and firm.
You can start with any area of your face and don’t forget to include your neck and decollete area.
As I’m doing the motions for stretching and contorting the face and neck, I’m applying my moisturizer at the same time, this ensures that you’re working your moisturizer in deeply.
My nightly skin care routine takes me about 15 minutes total every night. A very small commitment of time and effort. I always look directly in the mirror up close, feeling into my thoughts and body, making sure they are aligned with conscious and positive reinforcement.
It’s like a mini-meditation!
I apply moisturizer to my entire body, face, neck, and décolletage. I emphasize the décolletage here because it’s often the forgotten area of our bodies that can show aging rapidly for women.
As I work the moisturizer in, I begin to stretch, contort my entire face, brow line, neckline, cheeks, lips and everything I can possibly move and tighten on my face, using my fingers as a guide to push and activate the flow of the lymphatic system throughout the entire face.
We always think exercise is for the body but tend to forget that our faces also have muscles, tendons, and fascia that need movement, release, and strengthening.
The Bottom Line
I hope you benefit and begin to love this self-love practice as much as I do! It’s easy, simple, time friendly and lots of fun.
You can also erase fine lines, create firmness where it was lost and regain your youthful skin. We can undo a lot of life’s wear and tear to clear the way for a brighter, more supple skin.
The most important thing to remember in all this is that it starts from the inside.
Here’s to youthful living, heartwarming organic practices!
Stay tuned for a fun tutorial to inspire you!