An evening face-yoga practice should be quiet and brief. The aim is to notice unnecessary effort in the jaw, forehead, eyes and neck before moving into rest.
Navigator
Prepare
Sit on a chair with the feet supported. Keep the chin level and let the shoulders settle.
Gentle sequence
Jaw release
Let the teeth remain apart and make a small opening and closing movement.
Tongue awareness
Allow the tongue to rest softly inside the mouth.
Forehead softening
Raise the eyebrows slightly and then release them.
Eye rest
Close the eyes lightly or keep a soft gaze toward the floor.
Neck lengthening
Draw the chin slightly back and release the shoulders.
Quiet breathing
Observe several natural breaths without trying to make them unusually long.
Common mistakes
- Practising with strong pressure.
- Clenching the jaw.
- Holding expressions for too long.
- Forcing the breath.
- Using a mirror throughout the practice.
Practice limits
Keep every action small and comfortable. Stop when a movement creates sharp discomfort, jaw strain, eye strain or dizziness. Learn advanced face-yoga and Simhasana variations from a qualified yoga teacher.