Face is a mirror of our life, health and hormones.
Tao Face Yoga is a set of 28 exercises that train all 57 (+tongue) head muscles.
With the power of facial and cranial muscles and applying systematic pressure and counter-pressure with our hands, we bring circulation to the endocrine glands in our head. This is important because they regulate many bodily functions like growth, sexual/reproductive functions, and other glands in the body and organs.When you lift and fill the muscles of your face, you also smooth the wrinkles, obtain full cheeks, lift the mouth corners, and sculpt your face.​When we add to the facial exercises conscious breathing and rhythmical contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, we get an exercise that activates the whole body.​This workout will give you focus, and more energy, clear your mind, rejuvenate you, and regulate your endocrine system. On the outside, it will open your eyes and lift your face.
Why TAO (Face Yoga)?
The law of ying and yang is the natural order of the universe, the foundation of all things, the mother of all changes, the root of life and death.
The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic
Taoism is an ancient religious system and philosophy that instructs on how to exist in harmony with the universe.
The Tao means a way of the universe.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a renowned and respected system of wellness and healing and it is rooted in the philosophy of Taoism. TCM represents thousands of years of treatment protocols for health, healing, and longevity and has evolved into a complex healthcare system. For modern medicine, it offers the primary position of prevention above treatment and discovering each individual’s unique blueprint of wellness.
Qi is the energy present in our world, universe, and ourselves. It guides everything in the universe. Through the years, guides for behavior changes and different practices (Qigong, Taichi, acupuncture, etc.) were developed in TCM, for living in harmony with this energy.
One of the most important theoretical concepts of TCM is Yin and Yang. The symbol represents opposite properties and functions but has complementary qualities. Yin and Yang are mutually dependent and supportive of each other; one cannot survive without the other. It shows, that everything in the universe is connected. All treatment goals are centralized around balancing the Yin and Yang through harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit.
Another concept in TCM talks about the five elements, that compose our world and universe. To maintain health and wellness, emotional strength, and virtues all five elements have to be turned on and balanced.
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Wood (liver, gallbladder)
Fire (heart, small intestine)
Earth (spleen, stomach)
Metal (lung, large intestine)
Water (kidney, urinary bladder)
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Face is the mirror and a map of five elements. Face diagnosis of Traditional Chinese Medicine is carried out by observing the human facial complexion to obtain diagnostic results. All five elements are also represented on our face. It is a map, that brings us to the internal organs.
Changes in color of the skin, shape and size, deep wrinkles or lines in specific places, tell us something about the balance/imbalance of an element, organ and hormones.
WHAT TAO FACE YOGA BRINGS YOU:
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Rejuvenation and strengthening of the face
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Blood circulation to the brain
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It improves concentration, revives the body, and brings us back to our balance center
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It awakes our creativity and wakefulness
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brings bigger awareness to the face and neck
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helps reducing stress
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It helps to promote the release of endorphins and other mood-boosting hormones, leading to an overall improvement in mood and emotional well bring
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It also improves memory, mental capacity, focus, concentration, and creativity
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It sharpens eyesight
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Improves the condition of temporomandibular joint
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boost lymphatic drainage
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massage and relief of the face, neck, and shoulder
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Qi activation and flow through the body
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Balance of five elements in our body
Tao Face Yoga for singers and speakers
Face exercises are a great way to tone up, stretch and relax structures connected to the vocal box.
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​Jaw and tongue – can be difficult to liberate from each other, but very important for healthy sound. The tongue is a big and strong muscle, that’s connected to the vocal box through hyoid bone. So flexibility and awareness are very important for healthy sound. Muscles of the jaw are one of the strongest that we have in the body and are storing stress and anger. No surprise, that many singers have tensions while singing, because of locked jaw. Face exercises will strengthen your tongue, relax your jaw and bring bigger awareness to both of these structures.
Facial muscles for articulation – involves skillful coordination of the lips, tongue, and jaw. For singing we want to find the most economic articulation. Face exercises liberate the tongue and jaw from each other and keep in shape muscles that move the lips. They create awareness inside of the mouth and with that, better capacity for manipulation of our resonators.
Neck – muscles around the voice box affect our sound production. They are many (more than 20) and are interconnected with each other. Their function is to help with chewing, swallowing, moving your head, neck, and upper back. They are not supposed to be active while singing, but many singers experience neck pain and stiffness. Face exercises are massaging and stretching muscles of the neck. They help with neck tension and shoulder stiffness.
Balance and rhythm – as with singing with Tao Face Yoga we need to handle more things at the same time. While holding certain facial muscles active, we need to maintain rhythmical breath and pelvic floor activation. We are practicing the sweet spot between being active and relaxation. Space where you are giving, but at the same time letting go.
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Ying/Yang
Breath gives us the rhythm.
Rhythm is economy.
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Tao Face Yoga exercises keep face muscles in shape. It elevates concentration, revives the body and strengthens the connection to our center. It activates creativity and magnetism.