What Is Face Yoga? Try These 5 Exercises

Yoga is a popular exercise that can enhance your physical strength while creating inner peace of mind. When most people think of yoga, they probably imagine warrior poses and downward dog stretches. However, face yoga is a new trend taking the self-care world by storm.

Why Should You Try Face Yoga?

Face yoga consists of exercises and massages that target the face, head, neck and shoulders. The goal is to stimulate muscles, skin and the lymphatic system.

Performing poses that relax the facial muscles can relieve stress, improve circulation and even improve your appearance. If you want to reduce sagging and give your skin a healthy glow, face yoga may be the answer.

There are several popular approaches to face yoga. Some exercises aim to tackle specific concerns, like wrinkles, frown lines and crow’s feet. Other face yoga poses address more general issues and feelings, such as stress, anxiety, trouble sleeping and tension. You can use this practice to deepen your spiritual flow and develop a relaxation routine.

5 Face Yoga Exercises to Explore

If you’re interested in giving face yoga a try, check out these beginner exercises. You can customize any pose to suit your body and find the stretch that feels the best. Since you’ll be touching your face, be sure to wash your hands and face before trying these exercises.

1. Forehead Lifter

Forehead exercises can reduce wrinkles and stiffness. To relax these muscles, put your fingertips at the center of your forehead, then slowly pull them towards your temples, applying light pressure. Repeat this process several times, gently massaging your forehead.

2. Eye Circles

Using the tips of your index, middle or ringer fingers, gently press the inside of your eyebrow. Tap your fingers in a circle around your eye, across your eyebrows to your temples and then across the top of your cheekbone.

This massage aims to improve circulation and reduce puffiness around the eyes. 

3. Cheek Sculpting

Strengthen your cheekbones with this happy pose. Smile widely, putting your index fingers on the corners of your mouth. Slide your fingers upwards, pushing your cheek muscles up towards your cheekbones and eyes. Hold for a few seconds — make sure you keep smiling! — then release and repeat as necessary.

4. Neck Massage

This simple massage helps relax the jaw and neck, reducing tense muscles and sagging skin. Tilt your head back then put your fingertips along your jaw. Slowly slide your fingers down your neck, applying pressure to stretch the skin. Once you reach your collarbone, move back to the top and start again.

5. Lion’s Breath

Lion’s Breath is a common pose in many different yoga practices. It’s a breathing technique that encourages you to let out whatever you’re feeling. First, inhale deeply. Then, open your mouth wide and stick out your tongue as far as you can. Exhale with force, making an “ahh” sound — like a lion’s roar.

You can repeat the Lion’s Breath several times, using it to unleash tension, stress and other negative thoughts or emotions you’re dealing with. It’s a good stretch for your face, too.

Explore Face Yoga and Find Relaxation

These exercises are meant to create inner peace and strengthen the muscles in your face and neck. You can explore face yoga stretches to forge a connection between your body and mind and live a richer life.