Healing Yoga: Deborah Devine's Tips for a Healthy, Glowing Face

Nowhere do we see see more evidence of the natural aging process than when we look into a mirror. What once may have defined our identity is showing its true nature, and part of that nature is moving into the fall and winter seasons of life. Lines come, deepening their creases as we go through life’s inevitable challenges, marking us and changing us forever. But we have the choice of looking at the aging process differently! With the wisdom of experience, we can see that these lines do not define us. They demarcate the unique and private journey of our thoughts and experiences!

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Many of us turn to modern popular “solutions” of freezing or filling our lines, and these high-tech procedures may provide a temporary solace. But, if we cultivate the yogic principles of Santosha (acceptance) and Saucha (purity), the face relaxes and we see our skin soften and look younger. We cultivate a sense of Santosha or acceptance of the process of getting older and experiencing more of what life has to offer, both the good and the challenging. And we are also experiencing Saucha through a purification of our thoughts, a purification of our speech, and purification of our habits.

How Yoga Helps*

For decades, Yoga has been the go-to solution for many legendary movie stars such as Greta Garbo, Gloria Swanson, and Marilyn Monroe. Today both men and women are using this ancient technique to keep themselves vital, healthy, youthful, and glowing.

Inversions are the secret weapon of every Zoomer Yogini! These poses move old lymph out and bring fresh lymph in, reducing puffiness and sagging skin. Lions’ Pose and other Ayurvedic facial techniques relax and tone muscles of the face and neck.

Our breath practices enliven every cell of the body with oxygen and prana, evening out our skin tone and giving us that youthful glow, or ojas, as it is defined in the ancient Sanskrit texts of yogas.

After a very satisfying practice our whole being vibrates with joy, and as Roald Dahl puts it, people see the “sunbeams come out of our face.”

Other Considerations

Making friends with the aging process is a key to looking our best. Here are a few ideas to consider:

Ahimsa
Look in the mirror and LOVE YOURSELF! This is an ancient yogic concept that Look for what’s right in your face and celebrate it! See any lines for what they truly are: experience and wisdom. See your gray hair as wisdom highlights!

Think Happy Thoughts!
When you find yourself thinking negatively, look at the thoughts from a detached perspective. Not all of the thoughts we have are true, and we can just become aware of that as the thoughts come up, and release them. It doesn’t mean to disregard all of our thoughts, but just to be more of an observer and less wrapped up in the stories that thread the thoughts together. Our yoga practice gives us a lot of support in cultivating the higher “observer” aspect of the mind. Over time we can see patterns of our thoughts and then some exciting and positive things start unfolding! This is what yoga’s “inside work” is about

Journal About Happy Things!
Every day before bed, write down a few things you are so grateful for and what went well! Congratulate yourself on everything including the foul ups, as they provide great lessons.

Nutrition
Hydration is very important because our skin is dryer at this time of our lives, so try and consume at least two litres a day of room temperature water with lemon or cucumber. We can also benefit from adding more plant based fats into our diet. Avocados and nuts make excellent additions to our diet.

Steam the Face
Take cloth soaked in warm water and Abyanga self facial massage with oil. Find a pattern of moving your fingers across lines of tension and breath deeply into areas that are feeling more tense. Spend 15 minutes here with cucumbers cut in half moons on your eyes one resting on the browbone and upper part of the eyelid, and one under the eye. Let the cornea of the eye be free from any pressure.

Castor Oil Massage
There have been reports that it also helps eyelashes and eyebrows grow back.

Rest in Restorative Poses
Reclining Butterfly, (Supta Baddha Konasana) is an excellent way to spend time with soft music, and you can add a simple facial mask made of yogurt. Engage in Viloma Two breathing to help relax the nervous system and soften the face.

Try Cosmetic Acupuncture
Many people have had success with this traditional treatment.

Laugh and the World Laughs With You
We may have forgotten how to laugh like children, but we can certainly keep practicing! There is a technique shared by a beautiful Indian saint and sage of the early 20^th century, Ananda Ma, puts it so beautifully:

“Whenever you have the chance, laugh as much as you can. By this, all the rigid knots in your body will be loosened. But to laugh superficially is not enough; your whole being must be united in laughter, both inwardly and outwardly. Do you know how this is to be expressed? You literally shake with merriment from head to foot, so that it is impossible to tell which part of your body is most affected. I want you to laugh with your whole countenance, with your whole heart, and with all the breath of your life.”

– Deborah Devine

*Healing Yoga provides insight meant to help you in improving your health and overall wellbeing. However, the information presented above is offered for informational and educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for the judgment of a medical professional, or consultation with qualified practitioners.
Healing Yoga, Deborah Devine, and the Brand New ONE make no warranty or representation regarding the services or products provided through or in connection with the website. Use your own discretion when performing any postures.
The reader and viewer assumes all risks when using the information provided herein. Information provided by this site is not intended to treat or cure any disease or to offer any specific diagnosis to any individual as we do not give medical advice, nor do we provide medical or diagnostic services.
We strongly recommend seeking professional medical advice before performing any techniques, poses, postures or routines presented on this site.