Hello,
This is Martha Thomas, head of customer care for Tree of Life Beauty, and I want to welcome you to our blog where we discuss important ways to age gracefully, "how-tos" for keeping skin healthy as you age, and so much more.
This week we will discuss "Skin Benefits of Yoga." If you missed any of our past blog posts, please check them out here on our website.
Please be advised that we are not doctors or dermatologists, and this article should not be taken as medical advice or any medical statement. Any questions or issues involving your skin-care needs should be taken up with a physician, and we highly recommend you consult with your doctor before taking up any skin-care regimen.
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If you’re stressed, your skin looks tired. If you’re relaxed and rested, your skin looks youthful and radiant.
That’s because your skin is highly affected by diet, exercise, stress, and other lifestyle factors just as much as it’s affected by the quality of products you use on your face.
Yoga has a number of positive effects on lifestyle, exercise, and stress that help create youthful, luminous skin.
- Yoga can help increase blood circulation.
Blood circulation is critical to overall health and wellness. Blood flow also stimulates the skin. Strong circulation is what gives skin that radiant, ruddy complexion.
Yoga helps increase blood flow throughout the body, including to the skin and face. Strong blood flow also provides skin cells with essential oxygen and nutrients to stay flexible, elastic, and youthful.
The best yoga poses for circulation:
- Fish Pose
- Child’s Pose
- Shoulder stand
- Cobra Pose
- Plow Pose
- Triangle Pose
- Deep breathing pulls in more oxygen.
Deep breathing is an important part of yoga. It helps maintain the pose while centering the mind and body.
Fresh, oxygenated skin appears plump, healthy, and luminous.
Focus on deep breathing from the belly when doing yoga. This will pull in more oxygen while enhancing your workout.
The best yoga poses for increased oxygen:
- Triangle Pose
- Forward-Bending Pose
P.S. Every hour during your day, stop and take 10 deep breaths. This will add oxygen to your body and brain, which improves focus, motivation, and happiness.
- Yoga can minimize stress levels and improve sleep.
Stress is the enemy of youthful skin. Cortisol, which is the hormone caused by stress, can lead to a tired or dull appearance.
Yoga is a stress reliever. The meditative aspect of yoga clears your mind while the exercise portion helps clear your body.
Yoga can also help rid your body of pent-up emotions to make you happier, more energized, and more youthful—in mind, body, and skin!
This stress reduction also helps you sleep better. Sleep is a necessary aspect of rejuvenated, healthy skin. Yoga can help calm your mind and body to help you fall asleep (and stay asleep).
All yoga poses with deep meditation help relieve stress. Mountain pose is especially useful because it requires rhythmic, consistent breathing.
- Facial yoga can help tone your face.
You can even do yoga for your face. This helps tighten your facial muscles for a toned, slimming look. It also helps skin maintain elasticity and flexibility by moving it in directions opposite from typical use.
Our skin tends to fall downwards with gravity. With facial yoga, though, the skin moves upwards and outwards to create a lifted, youthful appearance.
There are two facial yoga moves you can try for increased blood circulation and muscle movement-
- The Kiss: Pucker your lips as if you were going to kiss a child’s forehead. Push out your lips as far as you can. Then pull your lips in and smile widely. Then push your lips out again, pulling them back into a smile. This works out your mouth and cheeks to keep them plump and supple.
- The Raise: Place the palms of your hands on your temples. Gently pull the skin of your face backwards. While doing so, make a large “O” shape with your mouth, dropping your jaw as low as you can. Hold for five seconds and release. Repeat three times.
Bottom Line
Healthy skin starts with a healthy body. With a few yoga poses, you’ll start seeing a luminous glow in no time!
Don’t forget your yoga post-workout cleansing routine. A Vitamin C Cleanser and Age-defying serums are especially useful for the ultimate youthful radiance.
Share this article with your yogi friends to share love for your skin!
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