Get glowing skin with these 7 yoga asanas

You'd be surprised to know that yoga can rejuvenate your skin and make you look gorgeous. Smt Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, the President of the International Board of Yoga tells us more.

By: Smt Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra | | Updated: February 16, 2016 12:16 pm

Yoga can rejuvenate your skin and make you look gorgeous. Smt Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, who runs The Yoga Institute in Mumbai and is also the President of the International Board of Yoga give us 7 asanas that can make your skin glowing naturally. Also Read - Facial yoga? Yes, these yoga asanas will slim your face and wipe out wrinkles

Also Read - Anti-ageing: 6 facial exercises to tighten your skin and bring back the lost glow

The prime advantage of yoga is that every single technique that you practise has a multitude of benefits. For instance, yogic techniques help you stay stress-free, healthy, improve your concentration, help you coordinate better, make you aware of your body so that you understand it better and help you stay disciplined. Here are a few ashtanga yoga techniques to get the perfectly flawless and glowing skin that everyone would envy you for. Not just glowing skin, yoga has more beauty benefits in store. Also Read - 7 Skincare tips to look gorgeous this festive season

Yoni Mudra Detachment from chaos:

Sit cross legged in Sukhasana – the easy pose
Place your thumbs on your ears and index figures on you closed lashes
Now put your middle fingers on your nostrils, the ring fingers above your upper lips and little fingers below your lower lips
Ensure that your elbows are parallel to the ground
Concentrate on your breath while in this mudra
Stay in the mudra for 5 to 10 mins

Note: You don t need to apply pressure with your fingers. Want to keep your skin acne-free? Try these yoga poses.

Yog Mudra The Yoga Pose:

Method:

Sit in Sukhasna
Hold your left wrist with your right hand at the back
Inhaling pull your shoulders behind and expand your chest
Exhaling bend forward and touch your right forehead to your right knee
Inhaling return to the starting position
Repeat the steps and touch your forehead to left knee and then in the middle. Also try face yoga to keep your face fit.

Repetitions: 2 rounds

Kapal randhra dhouti Yogic Facial Massage:

This is the Yoga Institute s signature yogic facial massage. It is an excellent technique that will make you want to forget your expensive skin treatments. It stimulates all your facial nerves and over time gives a natural, beautiful glow. It also help you relax and de-stress.

Method:

Gently but firmly massage your forehead with your fingers starting from the centre of your forehead till the temples
Gently pinch your eyebrows along the length. Repeat this three four times
Massage the around your eyes in circular motion
In outward strokes massage your checks
Look up and massage your neck in upward strokes

Note: You don t need to use oil or cream for this technique. A gentle massage with your fingers will be sufficient. If you have dark circles, try these yoga poses.

Kapalbhati Breathing Technique:

Method:

Take a deep breath.
Forcefully exhale through your nose rhythmically.

Note:

Please keep in mind that kapalbhati is different from stomach pumps. So, focus on exhale through your nose and not on the movement of your stomach. Kapalbhati also has several health benefits. Click here to know more.

Asanas:

Standing chakrasana – The wheel pose:

Method:

Stand erect with your feet apart and parallel. Interlock your hands in the front.
Inhaling raise your hands up and bend backwards
Exhaling bend forward and swing your arms behind. Interlock your fingers at the back and pull towards your head
Inhaling return to the starting position. If you want to get rid of chubby cheeks, try this yoga move.

Repetitions: 3

Dhanurvakrasana The bow pose:

Method:

Lie down flat on your stomach with legs stretched out and arms by your side
Bend your legs and catch your ankles. Simultaneously, pull your ankles and raise your legs.
Inhaling, raise your head and neck upward. Hold the position
Exhaling, return to the starting position. Double-chin bothering you? Try this yoga pose.

Repetition: 3 rounds

Paschimottanasana The seated forward bend pose:

Method:

Sit on the floor and inhaling stretch your legs in front of you.
Keep your knees firm and ensure that you don t bend them while doing the asana
Exhaling bend forward, hold your toes and try to touch your forehead to your knees
Maintain the pose for 10 seconds
Inhaling return to the starting position. Did you know yoga can keep wrinkles at bay?

Repetitions: 3 rounds

The author is the present Director of The Yoga Institute and has dedicated her life to the running of the Institute and to teaching yoga as a way of life in a completely practical way. Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva has been selected as ‘Woman of the Year 2000’ by the American Biographical Institute, U.S.A. for her outstanding accomplishment and the noble example she has set for her peers and entire community. She is perhaps best known throughout the nation due to her involvement in the popular television series Yoga for Better Living , first aired in 1980. She was recognized for her contribution to Women’s Health through the award presented by SPARC. She has conducted several seminars and lecture tours in India and in Europe, Australia, Canada, Pakistan, Hong Kong and United States of America. She has also authored many Yoga books and articles. She was invited by the National Council for Education Research and Training along with Dr. Jayadeva to advise on formulating a Yoga education syllabus for schools nationwide.

Image source: Getty Images/The Yoga Institute, Santa Cruz

Published : March 12, 2015 2:19 pm | Updated:February 16, 2016 12:16 pm

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