Yoga is an ancient Indian practice of mental, physical and emotional well-being, a set of methods that focus on slow and steady exercise with unique meditation and breathing techniques. Many benefits in many different aspects of life have been observed by practising Yoga — be it health, spirituality or relaxation. But here we have one unique benefit that many didn’t know — skin. How is yoga good for your skin? Let us tell you all about it!
Benefits of Yoga for Your Skin
- Yoga is a practice, not magic. So if you expect instant results then this is the disclaimer — it takes time.
- But if you are patient, and consistent, and perform your ‘asanas’ right, then over time you will begin to notice changes in the texture, tone and overall glow of your skin.
- The added benefit of de-stressing will help your skin become the best version of itself.
1. Imparts Glow
Yoga is ripe with asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises) that are known to bring an instant glow to your skin. For the most part, you may discover that this glow is temporary, and fades in some time after the workout. But if you practise yoga diligently, you will realise that the increased blood flow to your face, the opening of pores and sinuses through breathing counts and better stimulation of muscles results in long-term results.
2. Helps in Self-Healing
Yoga teaches us to start taking the onus of our healing. Every little ache or inconvenience doesn’t need to be solved by popping pills. Pranayam, the set of deep breathing exercises in yoga, are not only beneficial to asthma patients but also effectively help in better blood circulation through your skin cells. This boosts the regenerative prowess of the skin cells, in turn contributing to self-healing of damaged, inflamed or dull skin.
3. Detoxifies the Skin
Many yoga asanas are known to heat your body from within, taking the core temperature up by notches so that all the toxins and impurities in your body as well as the skin can be expelled through sweat. What is meant to only strengthen your body, ends up clearing even the small pores of your skin, thus preventing pimples, acne, blemishes etc
4. Helps Regulate Hormones
One of the root causes of skin problems like acne, pimples, pigmentation etc is hormones. Be it reproductive hormones or thyroid hormones, our body may at any time, due to stress or other triggers, get them disrupted. Yoga helps regulate them and reduce stress.
5. Improves Digestion
We all now know that digestion is one of the key factors of good skin. Your gut controls a lot of your glow. Yoga helps keep the digestive system running smoothly, performing its functions without any stress. So overall, when you maintain your breathing, oxygen, stress, blood flow and digestion through yoga, you are bound to get glowing skin!
3 Yoga Poses Good for Your Skin:
The Forward Fold
In Sanskrit, they call it the Uttanasana. As the name suggests, you are supposed to fold over forward in this pose and hold. This stimulates better blood circulation in your head (good for the brain) and face (great for the skin).
- Stand with your feet apart (hip width).
- Breathe in.
- Slowly bend forward, letting go of your breath until your face reaches your knees.
- Keep your knees straight and relaxed
- Hold for 20-30 seconds.
The Dolphin Pose
Known by the Sanskrit name Ardha Pincha Mayurasana, the dolphin pose is performed lying on the ground. This pose brings instant blush and glow to your face as you are bent down and forward. A healthy bright glow and some sweat will give you the best dewy-skin selfies!
- Lie down in a forearm plank, with your palms pressed into the mat at shoulder width.
- With your legs out straight behind you, relax your neck muscles and look down at the mat.
- Now walk your feet up to your hands and lift your hips higher. Consequently, move your head and eyes towards your feet.
- Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Downward Facing Dog
Adho Mukha Svanasana is the inverted dog pose where again you will stimulate the blood flow towards your head and face. It is like a prequel to the dolphin pose.
- Start on your hands and knees, as if you are going to crawl.
- Now lift your knees slowly and straighten them as you lift your hips to the sky. Keep your hands straight and steady on the ground so that your body forms an inverted ‘V’ shape.
- Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Now that you know how good yoga is for your skin, find the nearest yoga studio and enrol for a few sessions. You can practise these poses at home too of course, but it is always better to do it under expert supervision!
