People often ask me...

Face yoga is a practice of exercises, massage-style touch and relaxation techniques that work the muscles of the face, neck and jaw. It is gentle, uses only your hands, and needs no equipment.

It can change how your face looks and feels by toning muscles, releasing tension, improving circulation and helping fluid move. The research is still limited and the studies so far are small, so I won't promise dramatic results. What I see is less tension, less puffiness and a better awareness of the face. The effects are gradual and depend on consistency.

• Morning puffiness and fluid
• Facial tension, including the jaw, forehead and around the eyes
• Muscle tone in the cheeks, jawline and neck
• Posture-related "tech neck"
• A relaxed, rested look

It won't change bone structure, remove a true fat pad (such as a true under-eye bag), erase deep wrinkles, or treat pigment such as brown dark circles. I always say which concerns respond and which don't.

No. Procedures change the structure of the face or relax muscles, and their effects are stronger and faster. Face yoga is a gentle, natural practice that works with what you have. Some people use both, but check with your practitioner first.

Most routines take 5 to 15 minutes. A short routine you really do beats a long one you skip.

Daily is ideal, but most people do well with 4 to 5 days a week. Consistency matters more than length.

Some people feel less tension and look less puffy within days. Changes in tone take longer, usually several weeks of regular practice. Take a photo every two weeks in the same light so you can see your own progress, because day-to-day changes are hard to spot.

No. You need clean hands and a mirror. Some people like a little face oil or moisturiser for slip, but it isn't required.

Whenever you will actually do it. Morning helps with puffiness. Evening is good for releasing tension and winding down.

Yes. No experience or flexibility is needed.

No. Muscle work is useful at any age, though which concerns respond varies from person to person.

Gently. Around the eyes especially, don't push, pull or drag the skin, and use your ring finger, the weakest finger, to keep the touch light. If you feel pulling or pain, lighten up or stop.

Used gently and with relaxation, it shouldn't. Pulling the skin, pressing hard or repeating one expression over and over can strain it, so good technique matters. This is why I teach what each exercise does and how to do it.

It is gentle, but check with your doctor first if you have had facial surgery or recent injections or fillers (it is usually safe about 2 weeks after fillers and 4-6 weeks after surgery), or if you have an eye condition, jaw pain or TMJ, or a skin condition on the face. If something hurts, stop.

Yes. Face yoga doesn't replace sunscreen or skincare, and sunscreen does more for how your skin ages than any exercise.

Talk to your practitioner first. Timing and areas matter, and some people need to avoid certain techniques for a while.

It depends on your concern. Wide Awake is for the eye area. The Master Facial Gua Sha class covers lymphatic drainage, lifting and the lower, mid and upper face. The free guides are a good place to start.

Face yoga works on the muscles with exercises and your hands. Gua sha uses a smooth stone or tool with massage strokes to move fluid and release tension in the tissue. They work well together, and both are gentle.

Yes. 1:1 sessions are available online and in person.