How Can Yoga Increase Skin Glow?
Stress and unhealthy lifestyle practices can make the skin lose its glow and may lead to premature skin aging. Hormonal changes or improper digestive mechanisms can pave the way to acne and pigmentation. Drugging, smoking, alcohol consumption, and ruinous food habits make wrinkles appear fast. Practicing yoga and other forms of exercise leads to physical exertion. It can excite the body and gradually cool down and relax the skin, thus making it free from inflammations and irritations. Specific yoga poses increase blood circulation to the head and face, improving skin tone and glow. Certain yoga poses require an inverted position, stimulating the nervous system, bringing more oxygen, improving blood circulation, increasing metabolism, and boosting mood.
What Are the Yoga Poses That Increase Skin Glow?
Practicing the following yoga asanas provides beautiful and glowing skin.
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Bhujangasana: 'Bhujanga' means cobra or snake, and 'asana' means pose. This pose is a part of Suryanamaskar or sun salutation. The pose is done by lying on the stomach, keeping the legs together, and placing the hands by allowing the palms to touch the ground. By maintaining this posture, deep inhalations must be taken slowly by lifting the head, chest, and abdomen, and exhalations must be taken by bringing the abdomen, chest, and head back to the floor. This pose reduces stiffness in the shoulders and back and relaxes and smoothens the skin.
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Matsyasana: Matsyasa or fish pose is done by lying down flat on the back, placing the hands on the floor, keeping the forearms firmly, lifting the chest, and lowering the head back till it touches the floor. Breathing evenly while maintaining the pose is essential. This pose can normalize the hormonal imbalance and make the skin firm and flexible.
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Shishuasana: In Shishuasana or child pose, the practitioner has to sit on the knees, lean forward, and rest the forehead on the floor. Child pose increases blood circulation to the head region, relieves stress, and freshens tired skin.
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Trikonasana: Trikonasana or triangle pose is done by standing straight and bending sideways. Stretching maximum and staying steady are essential while doing this pose. This pose increases oxygen supply and improves the quality of the skin.
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Sarvangasana: In Sarvangasana or shoulder stand pose, the whole body should be balanced on the shoulders. It is called 'the queen of asanas,' as it is beneficial in maintaining mental and physical health. It reduces dullness, acne, and pimples on the skin.
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Halasana: Halasana or plow pose is done by lying on the back, raising the legs with the help of abdominal muscles at an angle of 40 degrees, and then gradually to 180 degrees over the head till the toe touches the floor. The plow is a farming tool commonly used in Indian culture. As the name indicates, this pose prepares the field (the body) for rejuvenation and repair.
What Are the Benefits of Breathing on the Skin?
Pranayama means working in Prana’s direction. Prana is the life force or the energy required for life. It is believed that Prana makes a person alive and nourishes the body. Pranayama is a breathing technique that releases the mind and body. It is recommended to practice these breathing techniques on an empty stomach. The cleansing action of Pranayama can make the skin clear and glow. Some of the breathing techniques are:
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Sheetali Pranayama: Sheetali Pranayama, or cooling breath, can cool the emotions, mind, and body. In this technique, inhalation is done through the tongue, which is rolled like a tube. The mouth has to be closed after inhalation, and exhalation has to be done through the nose.
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Sheetkari Pranayama: In Sheetkari Pranayama or hissing breath, the upper and lower teeth have to be pressed together with the lips apart, inhaling through the gap between the teeth and exhaling through the nose. Both Sheetkari and Sheetali breathing techniques provide a cooling effect on the facial skin.
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Jalneti Technique: In this technique, 'Jala' or water will be guided through the nasal passages. It helps to stay disease-free and improves breathing. It relieves stress and improves digestion, thus reducing skin problems caused by emotional disturbance and digestive conditions.
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Shankh Prakshalan: In this technique, the alimentary canal will be washed to remove the accumulated residual waste. It helps clear and detoxify the skin by improving the circulation of pure blood and oxygen.
What Are the Tips to Follow for Glowing Skin?
Along with practicing yoga and breathing exercises, following some habits on a daily basis improves the health of the skin.
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Staying Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water makes the skin clear and healthy. It is an excellent way to detoxify the body.
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Eating Healthy: Eating a well-balanced diet and limiting the intake of junk food and aerated and sugary drinks can make the skin wrinkle-free and youthful.
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Resting Well: Skin needs time to breathe and relax. A well-rested body is reflected on the skin.
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Meditating: Meditation clears the mind and relieves anger. Stress is the main villain that causes premature aging. Doing meditation helps to stay stress-free and makes the skin glowy and healthy.
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Staying Natural: Giving skin some time away from topical products like creams and moisturizers leaves an undistracted way for the skin to breathe. Staying away from skin products daily for a few hours helps refresh the skin.
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Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking and controlling alcohol consumption will also be helpful.
Conclusion
Skin problems can be of any sort: pigmentation, pimples, wrinkles, or others. Yoga postures, along with breathing exercises, help to overcome the issues. But it is equally essential to bring alterations in the lifestyle to remove the root cause of problematic skin. It is necessary to practice yoga poses under supervision or guidance to avoid injuries. In addition, meditation keeps away destructive emotions and clears the mind and heart. A clear mind constantly gets exposed as glowing skin.
