If you want to look younger, fitness instructor Susan Forma says you need to put your face to work. The exercise technique she recommends: Face Yoga. Forma is one of only 20 certified Face Yoga instructors in the United States. She’s the only one in Florida.
“I’m aware of the science behind the body, the muscles in the body,” Forma explained. “We have muscles in the face, the same as you do in the body.”
Forma says just like Downward Dog can lift and tighten, practicing Face Yoga can help tone up your face and diminish fine lines around the eyes.
“So, if you go to the gym to work out the muscles below your neck, why not do the ones above your neck as well,” she said. “It just makes sense, if you tighten and tone you’re going to naturally look better.”
A study published in the JAMA Dermatology Journal looked at a 30-minute facial routine turning back the clock almost three years. Being aware of every movement, muscle, eye roll and even stretch of your tongue can help work out your face, according to Forma.
But, does it work?
Dr. Brian Morrison is a Dermatologist who looked into the unique exercise.
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“Improvement of the upper and lower face was statistically significant in the study. Which is wonderful. That means that the reviewers thought that there was a benefit from doing the facial exercises as far as cheek fullness,” explained Dr. Morrison.
But, here's the caveat.
“Wrinkling-wise, there was a trend that the wrinkles got a little worse, especially around the mouth,” Morrison added.
Participants in Forma’s class said they feel the face burn and have noticed a difference.
“I did my exercises two times today and I’m really feeling it,” said Daryl Meyer. “You can think and go ‘I’m doing something good for myself here.’”
