For beautiful skin, hit the yoga mat

Think yoga’s just for stretching your way into a pretzel? Forget any preconceived notions you have — it may actually be one of the best-kept beauty secrets of all time. Ever since I started working my downward dog, I can’t help but notice my skin has looked healthier than ever. Coincidence? I think not. It may not be proven, but I chalk it up to increased movement and circulation. Before you head out for a big night, try these three yoga poses. Not only will you feel more relaxed, you may notice your skin’s suddenly ohm my god beautiful.

Child’s Pose: Don’t let the name mislead you — this pose is anything but kids’ stuff.  It can actually help get hide those very adult worry lines across the forehead. Sit with your knees folded under you so you’re sitting on your heels (kind of like you were kneeling, then took a break). Bend forward so the front of your ribs rest on top of your thighs. Eventually, your forehead should touch the floor, but you probably won’t get there at first. Now, extend your arms forward with your palms down and hang out there for about 10 deep breaths. Just don’t get too comfortable. We have more work to do!

Warrior 3: Don’t worry; it sounds more menacing than it is. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and extend your arms alongside the hips, palms touching your legs. Slowly tip your torso forward as your left leg comes up behind you with the left foot flexed and your toes facing down. Don’t worry; it’s normal to fall a few times (or ten, in my case). Keep going until your back leg is parallel with the floor and your body makes a T. That’s T as in toning because all that oxygen rushing to your head will seriously enhance your skin tone. Take that dull skin!

Downward-Facing Dog: This one’s an inversion, which means the head is lower than the heart. In beauty talk, that means anti-aging: a rosy glow, a firm neck, chin, and throat, and plump skin (see ya later, Botox). Start in child’s pose and then straighten up into a V-shape, with your heels on the ground, legs straight, and palms on the ground, too. You may have to adjust your feet so that your body looks like an equilateral triangle and hold. Beauty benefits aside, this one also stretches your calves, hamstrings, back, and spine and strengthens your arms, shoulders, abs, and quads. You know, a little bonus.

Head to a full yoga class for a major dose of skin enlightenment.

Namaste.

Comments (5)

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Tuesday March 17, 2009 Yoli wrote:

... HI! I definitely have to say that I started doing yoga recently before I had even read this article, and there is definitely a difference in my skin...the area around the back of my arms was beginning to get very dry and there were some bumps that were from the dryness...but lately it has been silkier and shinier yoga does help! I think it helps to disentoxify your skin from the toxins that make it look unhealthy :) Thanks for sharing:)

Saturday March 21, 2009 Maria wrote:

... It's true! I've been doing yoga for five months now and among other things, my skin looks finer and more glowing. (Body shape has changed for the better, too. Much better)

Saturday March 21, 2009 Susan wrote:

... Does restorative yoga help the skin? That's what I started doing a week ago, and it's all I can do...no downward dog, mostly mat work. (I have some chronic health conditions that prevent me from much exercise.) How about Tai Chi? Would that help?

Saturday March 21, 2009 Linda wrote:

... Thanks for the yoga descriptions/instructions. However, photos would be really helpful (especially the warrior 3). This way I'll know if I have the right form and am doing it correctly.

Monday March 23, 2009 Skinny and the City wrote:

... Great point Linda! Check out this website for pictures and accurate descriptions of the all the poses: www.yogajournal.com.

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