“Facial exercises change depending on age groups, SKIN TYPES, OR EXISTING ISSUES.”

Face yogi Vibhuti Arora elaborates on how yoga can help tackle skin ageing and shares her signature step-by-step massage technique.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE DEMAND FOR FACE YOGA INCREASING?

The demand for face yoga is definitely on the rise with the increased awareness of wellness in beauty and overall wellness. Face yoga works on the easy principle of exercising the more than 57 muscles of your face and at FaceYoga School by House of Beauty, my approach is extremely structured and result-oriented so that people fall in love with it from the start. Thus, it is the demand for face yoga as well as its reach that is increasing.

IS THERE AN IDEAL AGE TO START FACE YOGA AND HOW DOES IT HELP AS AN ANTI-AGEING REMEDY?

Face yoga can be started at as young as 16 years of age. Of course, we give more preventive and maintenance routines at such a young age. In fact, when you start young, the lymphatic drainage that assists in overall face toning and face lifting also assists in lesser acne and pimple reduction without leaving behind brown spots or pimple marks; thus also boosting collagen and minimising the occurrence of acne pits.

When skin is maintained at a young age, it also results into keeping pimples, fine lines, and sagging skin at bay and your skin will glow inside out. This also means lesser dependence on anti-ageing products because if you use a simple moisturiser or serum, it will basically work on the auto healing capacity of our body and keep all of your puffiness, sagging, dullness, and dry skin related issues away.

IS THERE A WAY FOR DERMATOLOGISTS TO LOOK AT FACE YOGA AS A POST-TREATMENT CARE AND HENCE POSSIBILITIES FOR FACE YOGA EXPERTS AND DERMATOLOGISTS TO COLLABORATE?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, I know a lot of and sell to a lot of dermatologists who actually promote the idea of face yoga, facial cupping, holistic wellbeing, jade rolling or guasha massages as a post-treatment or maintenance skin care at home after they have done their services. Also, you end up going for a botulinum toxin or filler injection only once in six or eight months but a holistic facial or photonled based facials, which have face yoga movements lymphatic drainage, need to be done every two to three weeks or even monthly. This helps dermatologists maintain the client’s skin for long-term rather than just offering short-term oriented treatments.

DO FACIAL EXERCISES CHANGE DEPENDING ON AGE GROUPS?

Absolutely! Facial exercises change depending on age groups, skin types, or existing issues. In my training manual at House of Beauty, I divide clients into five key categories – A, B, C, D and E. The exercises we give them depend on the category they fall in, the skin condition they hold, and their family history. We also consider medical issues such as vertigo, cervical or epilepsy and only then recommend exercises. For instance, a 25-year-old needs preventive face yoga techniques more than a 45-year-old. A 45-year-old needs more corrective advanced level techniques. This again changes for a 55- or 60-year-old because at this age, the muscles are already weak, they need easier techniques and further guidance to get to the advanced level techniques. Hence, every client is different and every routine is customised to their needs.

SPECIFICALLY FOR ANTI-AGEING, CAN YOU TAKE US THROUGH AN EXERCISE WITH A STEP-BYSTEP APPROACH?

There are multiple simple exercises that one can use. Typically, I prescribe 5-minute short routines. Be it issues pertaining to dark circles or double chin, there are customised sets of three to four exercises that should be done every night before bed. And results are evident within 21 days.

Additionally, here is my signature face yoga technique:

Face Yoga Signature 1-Minute Vibhuti Massage -Your Everyday Routine

1. Start by warming the oil to activate ingredients. 2. Transfer the oil all over face, jaw upwards three times 3. Cheeks upwards to temples six times. (Remember facemapping five zones) 4. For upper eye lip drainage, “V” press - swipe - lift -drain - one time 5. Form an under eye “A”. Press - swipe - lift - drain - one time. 6. Opposite forehead massage swipes - count of 20. 7. Massage neck Xs 10 times. Do the three-finger neck stretch, pout to ceiling and count to 10.

WITHIN HOW MUCH TIME ARE THE RESULTS VISIBLE?

It typically takes 21 days for a client to see visible results and then it is more about sculpting and another 21 days for them to see a complete transformation.

“Collaborating with dermatologists is critical because they know what they do best and we know what we do best.”

IS IT IMPORTANT TO ALSO MAINTAIN A DIET WHEN INCORPORATING FACE YOGA IN THE ROUTINE?

What we eat can have a direct effect on how we look. It is therefore important to eat the correct foods.

Protein (muscle composition)

Essential for the body, proteins are amino acids. They are essential for cell regeneration and can improve the condition of the skin, hair, and nails. Along with regular face exercise, it can help the face appear toned and firm. If we were to stop eating proteins, our body and face would start to sag. By plumping the muscle by building on protein, the skin on top of it is stretched and thus limits sagging and fine lines. Meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, soya, and nuts are all great sources of protein.

Drink water (flush out toxins)

Drinking up to 2-litre water a day will help in hydrating the skin, removing toxins from the face, and debloating the face. When you perform lymphatic drainage, it is important to flush the toxins out of your system. While doing face yoga, you must keep a glass of water near you.

Eat good fats (collagen is fat)

Good fats help to break down the bad fats in the body. They are also helpful for lubricating the skin and giving it a youthful, firm appearance. Good fats are found in salmon, avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Add that fibre (greens) Adding fibre to the daily diet is the best thing you could do for your body. A healthy mind, and a clean lifestyle all leads to a glowing face inside out.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO DERMATOLOGISTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATING WITH A FACE YOGA EXPERT TO ENHANCE THEIR AESTHETIC PRACTICE?

I believe in synergy. Hence, collaborating with dermatologists is critical because they know what they do best and we know what we do best. If we come together for holistic wellbeing, at the end of the day, it is the client who is now going to see more long-term visible changes and a healthier skin. If a client has an autoimmune skin condition, he/she is dependent on the topical steroid ointment that the dermatologist gives and is unaware about the skin care regime they need to follow and food that needs to be consumed. Ways to control these triggers and the relapse between two occurrences is limited, and that is where we offer alternative medical therapies or theories to assist the clients. If a dermatologist is truly looking at assisting the client for long-term benefits, collaborating with face yoga specialists for psoriasis, eczema, lupus control rosacea and other related issues becomes lucrative towards the common goal of clients’ wellbeing.