Yoga for Beautiful Skin

This past Saturday,  took my first yoga class  ..



Now, I'm no stranger to yoga... In fact, I occasionally take a class at the studio next door to my office when I need a little stress relief.

This yoga class, however, was a little different than what I was used to.

It paired the various poses with Pranayama breathing — a sacred breathing technique that's been used in India for thousands of years to increase energy and vitality.

 So instead of doing my usual Saturday gym run, I finally decided to try it.

Now, I could go on all day about how relaxing and refreshing it was...

Sometimes it's really great to just relax and BREATHE, and let the stress of the week melt away!

But there was something else I think you'll find VERY interesting about this class...

Just about everyone — men and women of ALL ages — had incredible glowing skin.

Chatting with one woman after class, I couldn't BELIEVE she was 73!

Now, a lot of this can be chalked up to how POSITIVE an experience yoga and meditation can be... And how that inner peace and happiness really does "radiate" outward.

I really believe that.

However, there's also a scientific reason why the women in this class looked rosy and youthful...

Oxygen makes skin RADIANT!

You've probably heard of oxygen facials before. They're expensive treatments you can get at most medical spas —  which use a cooling, oxygen-blowing "pen" to infuse energizing pure oxygen into skin's deeper layers.

And don't get me wrong, they're great. Several of my clients swear by them!

But the best way to get healing, revitalizing oxygen into your skin cells is, quite simply... breathing properly!

It's true — a study published in The Lancet, a global health journal, found that controlled breathing increased the body's overall oxygen saturation...

And that the benefits built even more when "training" was practiced for a month.

Not to mention, proper breathing helps reduce the stress hormone cortisol — as found by a 2011 study at the University of Miami — a vital link in slowing the visible aging process.

That's why today, I want to share a few of the breathing techniques I learned in that yoga class...

Techniques you can try RIGHT NOW, in your own home, totally free... And see instantly more radiant skin. Yes, really!

(Note: If you have low blood pressure, pulmonary disease, or other health concerns, always consult a doctor before beginning a yoga or meditation regimen.)

1) Kapalbhati Breath

When most of us breathe, our chests expand instead of our bellies — making each breath more shallow, and less oxygenating.

But practicing Kapalbhati breathing can help you learn to breathe with your belly instead.

Here's how it's done:

1. Take a deep, slow inhale through your nose... filling your belly first, then your lower chest, and finally, your upper chest. Your collarbone should be the last thing to move. (This should feel like a "rolling wave.")
    
2. Then, exhale the air quickly through your nose until your lungs are completely empty. Repeat 6 times.

When done correctly, this breath is AMAZINGLY refreshing, and ensures your lungs have all the time they need to completely absorb the rejuvenating oxygen you've inhaled.

2) Shitali Breath

This breath is both simple and REFRESHING... With a "cooling" sensation that helps you feel both relaxed and revitalized.

1. First, curl your tongue. If you can't curl your tongue, make your lips into a small "O" shape.
    
2. Now, breathe in a slow, long breath through that tiny opening, focusing on the cooling sensation you feel inside your mouth.
    
3. Hold the breath for a few moments, before sighing it out through an open mouth.

This cooling sensation is amazing for refreshing and revitalizing your senses... And infusing your skin with a mega-dose of healthy oxygen!

3) Bhramari Breath

Also known as the "bee breath" or "humming breath," this breath does more than just feed your skin essential oxygen...

It's also great for dropping skin-damaging cortisol levels, to help protect your skin from stress-related premature aging.

1. First, close your eyes and take a long, deep inhale through your nose until your lungs are completely full.
    
2. Then, let this breath out by humming the letter "M"... A long, drawn-out hum that goes on as long as possible. (The pitch or volume doesn't matter... The point is simply to let this sound relax you.)

Keep doing this until you feel relaxed and refreshed. This one's my favorite... And I know you'll enjoy it too!

Now, let me be totally clear — I'm not recommending you replace your skincare routine with a yoga technique.

Rather, these techniques can ENHANCE your skincare routine by helping cells get a "head start" on rejuvenation.

They can also help increase circulation to the skin... which will in turn help your products work better!

Not to mention — the stress relief alone makes this a trick worth trying.

So give these techniques a try and let me know how you like them.

In the meantime... I'll be booking my next class!

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