It sounds too good to pass up. That’s why we tapped Fumiko Takatsu, face yoga instructor and founder of the Face Yoga Method, to break down all the details of the facial exercise (plus, a few beginner-friendly poses to try). Because your jawline deserves a little toning, too. Of course, you move your face every day (smiling, chatting, and the like). But the kicker here is intention; like a yoga flow, you’re focusing on specific muscles, strengthening them as you isolate the movement. “So many muscles are all connected; you just have to know which muscles you’re using and how you want to move your muscles in a certain way.” You might be thinking: Isn’t constantly moving your face what causes those wrinkles? And you’re right—we emote quite a bit throughout the day, making the face a vulnerable spot for fine lines. But by intentionally toning those facial muscles, you can promote blood circulation in the skin and actually help tighten the area. “You’re not causing any unwanted wrinkles because you’re controlling the movement,” says Takatsu. Even more so, the practice helps you become aware of those unconscious expressions you might not think twice about (like, say, a furrowed brow as you slouch over your desk). “I truly believe 20% of the benefits is the exercise itself, but 80% of the results come from the fact that you’re paying attention to your facial expressions throughout the day,” Takatsu explains. “You catch yourself tightening your shoulders or tensing the forehead.”
