Facial yoga has been part of my life for so long that I sometimes forget it isn’t as familiar to others as it is to me. I’m asked the same questions time and time again whenever I post exercises. Here, I’ll explain the basics of this brilliant method to you.
1 What is facial yoga?
Facial yoga is a method that exercises the facial muscles. This is very important because, as we get older, we lose 30–40 % of muscle mass. Take a look at what gives your face its shape:
No cream in the world, nor any Botox injection, can compensate for the loss of muscle mass and firmness. Only targeted exercises can do that. The positive effects of facial yoga have now even been scientifically confirmed.
2 What does facial yoga do?
Facial yoga tones the muscles and restores firmness to the face. The forehead muscle raises the eyebrows, creating space for the upper eyelid and tightening it. Sagging cheeks are reduced, and nasolabial folds and frown lines are effectively prevented.
In addition, the muscles increase in volume. As subcutaneous fat decreases with age, we replace the lost tissue with muscle mass, which allows the skin to become firmer again.
3. how often should you do facial yoga?
I recommend 5 to 6 times a week. Your skin needs at least one day to recover. My tip: practise from Monday to Friday and give your face a break at the weekend. Consistency is more important than being overly ambitious at the start.
4. how long do you do the exercises?
I recommend 30 seconds per exercise. My programme comprises 12 exercises for all areas of the face – so a full workout takes only about 6 minutes. More advanced users can increase this to 45 or 60 seconds, particularly in problem areas such as the forehead.
5 When should you do facial yoga?
The ideal time is in the morning. It revitalises you, helps clear lymphatic congestion and clears your mind. Avoid doing the exercises just before bedtime, as the boost in energy can disrupt your sleep. It’s best to practise at the same time every day to make facial yoga a regular habit.
Don’t exercise against yourself, but for yourself. A fit face gives you an unbeatable sense of well-being. If you’re looking for a structured programme, you’ll find everything you need in my book or online course.
14 thoughts on “Gesichtsyoga: 5 Fragen, die mir am häufigsten gestellt werden”
Dear Christina
How many times a week can I do cupping? I now do everything, facial yoga, cupping and Gua Sha. What does your weekly schedule look like?
Thank you so much for all your wonderful tips. I love it...
Best regards Petra
Dear Petra,
sorry, I've only just discovered your message, I'm sorry about that!
Cupping can be done every other day. It is recommended 2 to 3 times a week. This means that the skin should always be given a day to recover.
Kind regards,
Christina
Hello Christina,
In the book you write that there should be no wrinkles during the exercises. But that's exactly what happens when I do the exercises with the pen; my upper lip in particular is totally wrinkled. I have the book and I have your video on sagging cheeks. Could I be doing something wrong?
When you practise putting the pen in your mouth and moving it up and down, do you also put it between your teeth or just between your lips?
I would be very happy to receive an answer, because I don't want to do the exercises any more because I feel insecure.
Sybille
Dear Sybille,
If your skin is such that this exercise is not possible without wrinkling, don't do it. That's why I offer so many exercises in my book - you need a certain amount of choice, as not everything is always possible. So don't do it and choose another exercise.
And no, I don't hold the pen with my teeth, but only with my lips.
Kind regards,
Christina
Hello Christina,
I have experienced a great side effect of the exercises for sagging cheeks. I have had constant blockages in my upper cervicals and neck pain for years. So far, these have only been temporarily alleviated by osteopathy. I did your exercises for a fortnight .... and am completely free of pain!!!!!! Thank you very much for that!!!!
Best regards to Austria
Stef
Wow, thanks for your feedback, that's great! I'm really happy for you and with you!!! :))) You always experience little miracles here, that always inspires me too. :)) I wish you all the best and keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Christina
Hi Christina, thank you very much for all the valuable videos, they immediately helped me to improve my posture and my neck immediately became longer again and looks more youthful. However, do you have anything that helps with the transverse neck grooves and the turkey neck? I think a wrinkled, puffy neck makes us look much older than any wrinkle...and I'm now also tackling the sagging cheeks. The facial contour on the chin is the most important thing for me 🙂
Best regards from Gran Canaria 🙂
Tam
Dear Tam,
The neck is always included in most exercises. You can also feel this if you pay attention to it when exercising. Otherwise, I would try scraping the area directly under the chin and then the neck and also the décolleté.
Best regards,
Christina
Hello dear Christina. First of all - thank you for the fantastic book! Then I have a question about the two exercises against frown lines (unfortunately I have three of them). You say you should always do both - unfortunately I have the feeling that my wrinkles are worse after the first exercise 🙁 What am I doing wrong? Thank you in advance! Best regards, Bärbel
Dear Bärbel,
First of all - work gently. Pulsing the muscle is enough, ambition is out of place here.
Do the exercise dynamically - i.e. do not hold, but alternate between tensing and relaxing. Concentrate on thoroughly relaxing the muscle.
The principle is similar to when you have neck tension. You pull your shoulders up and then let them drop down loosely. You circle your shoulders. This relaxes the muscles, although it tenses them briefly at first. You have to bring in movement to release the chronic tension.
So concentrate on relaxing after a short period of tension.
After the exercise, you can take your eyebrows between your thumb and index finger and pinch them hard for a short time.
Best regards,
Christina
Dear Christina
First of all, thank you very much for all your great videos and valuable information that you always provide us with so much love and passion! Chi instead of Botox is not only good for the face, but also for the soul 🙂
My question: in several exercises you are supposed to form an A with your mouth in the starting position and then pull your lips over your teeth (e.g. in the exercise against sagging cheeks). However, this causes noticeable wrinkles at the corners of my mouth, which are already my weak points. Should I do the exercises anyway?
Thank you very much for your answer and I wish you continued joy and success!
Best regards
Yvi
Dear Yvi,
Thank you for your kind words 🙂
Every face is individual and we always try to avoid wrinkles. If this is the case for you, don't tense up and just try to pull your upper lip downwards. This creates the necessary tension for the exercise without creating wrinkles.
Best regards,
Christina
Hello dear Christina!
I have a question! How many weeks or months do you have to do the exercises?
To see a positive success. I was born in 1956.
A kind greeting
Petra Indenbirken
Dear Petra,
That is very individual. I would almost say regardless of age, it depends more on everyday facial expressions, the condition of the tissue and lifestyle. However, I have also had an 80-year-old client who was happy with the result after a week, while more stubborn cases took 3 months. ????♀️ It is almost impossible to answer this question. However, most people notice changes after 3 weeks or receive their first compliments from those around them.
Best regards,
Christina