Yoga for healthy and glowing skin

I read a quote this morning and sometime later it started to grow on me. It said, ”Turn your face towards the sun and let the shadows fall behind you.” This essentially speaks about the power of yoga. Yoga is truly a journey of the self, through the self and to the self. I’ve been practising yoga for a couple of years now and it has always provided me with the calm that I’ve needed, besides keeping me healthy of course!

Since yoga is a union of various asanas, breathing exercises, concentration, awareness and reflection; it aids holistic wellbeing and keeps our chakras aligned.

Now what happens to our skin with all this goodness? It radiates and it glows! In today’s blog, I’m pooling in my experiences with Yoga and sharing some of my favourite breathing exercises and asanas that have helped my skin thrive

Pranayama (Breathing)

Pranayama is the most effective way of keeping skin young, glowing and healthy. It stimulates blood circulation which carries oxygen to all parts of our body and makes the skin look plump and radiant. In addition to this, proper breathing cools the body down which further boosts skin’s glow. I’ve been practising anulom vilom and kapalbhati for a couple of years now and it has really helped me centre myself and align my thoughts.

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)

From improving blood flow to enhancing the smooth functioning of the digestive system, surya namaskar is a full body exercise which when performed on a daily basis enhances the overall health of our body and skin. Apart from boosting the glow and radiance of skin, it also improves the elasticity of skin and prevents the onset of wrinkles.

Balasana (Child Pose)

This forward bending asana is known to flush out toxins and detoxify the body and is highly recommended to relieve menstrual cramps. Since the flow of blood is directed towards the head, this asana also helps in addressing issues like hairfall.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

This asana is one of my favourites as it elevates my mood in a jiffy! Cobra pose is known to open your chest for easy breathing and direct the flow of blood towards the head which enhances the quality of both skin and hair. This asana is beginner friendly and a great one to start your yoga journey with!

Vocalise (Make Sounds)

Chanting is often known to promote a feeling of connection to yourself. However, with all these years of practising yoga and chanting, I have realised that the vibrations produced during chanting also fuel the vital points on our face. The breathing pattern during chanting is highly effective in oxygenating our skin, which makes it look younger and brighter.

While practicing all of the above, I also ensure that my surroundings are clean and filled with sweet and calming fragrances of fresh blossoming flowers! Everything around you and within you fuels your energy and positivity- so engage yourselves in activities you enjoy and feel the power of natural radiance by yourself!

Love,
Sunayana

Also Read: Morning rituals for healthy and glowing skin