The New Face of Yoga

When college student Tanvi Poddar looks into the mirror, she sees a face that others only dream of having. Clear, sparkling eyes. Porcelain smooth skin. A perfectly sculpted jaw line. Hollowed cheeks, shaped features. And definitely no wrinkles or ungainly lines—Simply put, a flawless face.

 

No, Poddar's gleaming visage isn't god-given, nor did she luck out in the genetic lottery. It is the result of face yoga—The next big thing on the fitness circuit. "We have gyms for the body, but we often ignore the face. Facial yoga is changing that," reveals Dr. Asha Bachhani, an expert on the subject. Bachanni is credited as being the pioneer in introducing facial yoga in the city. Three years ago, she founded Ffacegym, a first of its kind concept based on a workout for your visage.

 

Bachanni's tryst with facial yoga began in 2003, after she specialized in facial exercises. She began doing casual consultations and providing advice to acquaintances. Her first celebrity client was Shilpa Shetty. "After that, there has been no looking back," she laughs. The membership of Ffacegym has grown exponentially, but is still unrivalled. Bachanni is the only facial yoga expert in the city.

 

So how does facial yoga work? Bachanni outlines the process that will have you from fat to fantastic in a matter of three months. "Step one is assessment of the individual's problem areas—Chubby cheeks or under-eye puffiness, for example.  Next, I recommend exercises and teach them how to do them. These can be done at home, and take no more than 15 minutes daily. I schedule further consultations and check-ups every fortnight," she explains.

 

As its ever-burgeoning fan following testifies, facial yoga offers myriad benefits. "It is a simple way of erasing fine lines and wrinkles. It also reduces sagging skin retards aging," says Walkeshwar-based Poornima Jain, who swears by this technique. "Facial aerobics are cheaper and easier than cosmetic surgery, yet achieve the same goals," she adds.

 

Aspiring model Neharika Sinha from Santa Cruz has had a positive experience as well. "I actually taught myself face yoga from the internet, on a friend's recommendation. It is nowhere as complicated as yoga usually is, and I feel great exercising these otherwise ignored 52 muscles. No wonder then that from austere silver-haired executives to silver screen idols, everyone is clambering onto the bandwagon.

 

This is a red-hot trend, not likely to die out anytime soon. "Business has really grown over the years," admits Bachanni. She envisions a bright future for facial yoga. "I would like to have Ffacegyms all across the city, with proper awareness about the benefits of exercising facial muscles," she smiles. "You can hide a lot of things, but not your face. Which is why it is so important to take care of it," signs off Bachaani. Here's to the future of facial yoga and out-of-work cosmetic surgeons!