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WORLD / America

New Yorkers try facial yoga to reduce wrinkles

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-09-09 14:55

NEW YORK - Botox and plastic surgery may promise to reduce wrinkles and
worry lines, but some New Yorkers are turning to facial yoga to achieve a
youthful appearance.

Yoga teacher Annelise Hagen demonstrates a facial muscle stretch that is
a part of her face intensive yoga teachings in New York August 31, 2007.
[Reuters]

At a recent class in Manhattan's wealthy Upper East Side, yoga instructor
Annelise Hagen teaches several facial exercises designed to stretch and
tone facial muscles.

A group of women practice moves including "The Lion," showing the tongue
hanging out and eyes rolled up. Hagen encourages class members to hold
the position for 60 seconds, joking: "You can do this any time. It really
helps you get a seat on the train."

Hagen recently released a book, "The Yoga Face: Eliminate Wrinkles with
the Ultimate Natural Facelift." She said she developed a workshop using
facial yoga because women wanted to look their best, "but they weren't
really thinking about how to exercise their facial muscles."

She said facial muscles become weak and flabby and need regular workouts
and circulation to reduce wrinkles.

Besides "The Lion," other exercises include "Satchmo," in which the
cheeks are blown out Louis Armstrong-style, and "Marilyn," in which
glamorous kisses are blown to strengthen mouth muscles for full and firm
lips.

"It uses the same principles of exercise you would use for any other
parts of your body," Hagen said. "Facial muscles also become more toned,
so it is a natural way of getting a lift."

Hagen recommends facial yoga for those wanting to find outer and inner
beauty, saying, "the emotional aspect is just as important as the
physiological."

But she does not rule out plastic surgery or Botox.

"I don't rule it out for myself. One day I may feel like I need that. But
regardless, maintaining elasticity and tone is really crucial, especially
if you have had Botox and plastic surgery," she said.

While making faces in front of strangers might intimidate some, those who
attended the class thought it the perfect way to combat busy New York
lifestyles.

"Working in New York is very stressful," Kathy Healey said. "It's a
perfect way to end the week."

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