International Yoga Day 2020 : Easy Facial Yoga Asanas For More Radiant And Toned Skin According To Expert

The human skin is the largest organ in the body, and is responsible for many important functions for your body. Your skin acts as a shield against the harmful ultraviolet light emitted by the sun's rays which can be damaging to your cells. It protects you from many viruses and bacteria that you are exposed to daily. Dewy and glowing skin is a reflection of your good physical and mental health. How to keep the glow and beauty intact? Rather than using any cosmetics or treatments on your skin, you should try facial Yoga. It is the international day of Yoga and we talked to acclaimed yoga expert, Grand Master Akshar and asked how facial Yoga can help in adding a natural glow to the skin. While exclusively talking to HZ, the expert told, “The practice of Yoga acts as your personal beautician adding radiance to your skin. A combination of asanas, pranayama, and meditation can do wonders for your skin.  These asanas also clear the pores of the sinus; helps release tension, and also clean the eyes, nose and sensory organs.” 

Chandra Namaskar 

“The Chandra Namaskar is a salutation to the moon. The moon represents emotions, emotional intelligence, beauty, and taste. As the Chandra Nadi or Moon Channel runs along the left side, you begin the Chandra Namaskar with your left leg first,” explained Grand Master Akshar. 

Chandra Namaskar must be practiced at 6 pm facing the Moon.

Performing this namaskar during full moon nights is extremely nourishing to the body and spirit. 

Chandra Namaskar - 14 steps make half the cycle

• Pranam asana (The Prayer pose)
• Hastha Utanasana (Raised arm pose)
• Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
• Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)
• Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
• Ashtanga Namaskar Asana (Eight limbed salutation)
• Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
• Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward dog pose)
• Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• Inhale and bend back (Ardha Chandra asana)
• Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
• Hastha Utanasana
• Pranam asana 
• Repeat the 14 steps with the Right leg to make it 1 complete cycle with a total of 28 counts

Face Yoga

• Blow air into your cheeks, holding it for a few seconds in your mouth and release. Repeat this for a few times.
• Do exercises for the eyes, by making rotations with your eyeballs, looking up and down etc. 

Meditation 

Sthiti Dhyan:

• Find a place that you do not frequent, preferably a natural environment for this technique.
• Sit in any comfortable posture such as Sukhasana.
• Look ahead for 5 seconds, behind you for another five seconds and on Right and Left sides for five seconds each.
• Now close your eyes and recollect as many details that you observed as possible.

Pranayama 

Kapal Bhati

In Sanskrit, ‘Kapal’ means skull and ‘Bhati’ means ‘shining/illuminating’. Therefore, this Kapalbhati Pranayam is also known as Skull Shining Breathing Technique.

Method 

• Sit in any comfortable pose (such as Sukhasan, Ardhapadmasan or Padmasana)
• Straighten your back and close your eyes
• Place your palms on your knees facing up (in Prapthi Mudra)
• Inhale normally and focus on exhaling with a short, rhythmic and forceful breath
• You can use your stomach to forcefully expel all the air from the diaphragm and  lungs by compressing it
• Inhalation should happen automatically while you decompress your stomach

Asanas

Halasana 

Formation of the posture 

• Lie down on your back
• Place your palms on the floor beside your body
• Using your abdominal muscles, lift your legs up 90 degrees
• Press your palms firmly onto the floor and allow your legs to fall back behind your head
• Allow your middle and lower back to lift off the floor to enable your toes to touch the  floor behind
• Try to bring your chest as close to your chin as possible 
• The palms can remain flat on the floor but one may bend the arms at the elbow and  support the back with the palms as per their level of comfort
• Hold the asana for a while

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Sarvangasana

Formation of the posture

• Begin by lying down on your back.
• Place your arms beside your body.
• Gently lift your legs off the floor and position them perpendicular to the floor with feet facing the sky. 
• Slowly lift your pelvis and back off the floor.
• Bring your forearms off the floor and place your palms on your back for support. 
• Try to achieve a straight line between your shoulder, torso, pelvis, legs, and feet. 
• Try to touch your chin with your chest and focus your gaze on your feet.

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One of the many advantages of a regular yoga practise is that it keeps your skin looking fresh, wrinkle-free and 10 years younger. This can be a great boost to your confidence and self-esteem. “Yoga can help you to eliminate stress from your life, and set you on the path towards a healthier lifestyle. Switch to a cleaner and greener diet by increasing your consumption of fruits, salads, natural juices, pulses, and leafy vegetables to get that flawless skin you always wanted,” concluded Grand Master Akshar. 

Image Courtesy: Women Expert, Yoga Journal, Indian Express