Relaxing your face may be the key to bliss

I know a few people who would run a marathon if it meant they could get rid of their double chin or frown lines. These face marks are supposed to be signs of wisdom and growth. However, most women would gladly take back a few candles on their birthday cakes if it meant the wrinkles and lines on their faces would leave. Marie-Veronique Nadeau has discovered a way for women and men - young and old - to either reclaim youth or put their best face forward. The Yoga Facelift combines facial therapy with yoga to firm trouble spots from the neck up without surgery or other cosmetic procedures. In her book, Nadeau shows the benefits that yoga provides for the body to help revitalize muscles in the face. The exercises are based on the observation of her clients' results through the years. The book has numerous exercises with picture illustrations. Her Web site, www.marieveronique.net, offers sample exercises for those interested in "The Yoga Facelift." The Scowl-Line Banisher smoothes the brow and is recommended for tension headaches. It's a three-step process that begins with looking in a mirror and pulling your eyebrows together (your corrugators are doing the pulling) where the lines appear. For the second step, take your two forefingers and place them on each side of the scowl line. To smooth out the line, pull your fingers gently apart. Now pull your brows together, making sure to look in the mirror so you don't make the line again. Hold this, and count to 10.  The third step requires that you move your fingers apart so they rest in the middle of the forehead above the arch of each eyebrow. Think about pulling your corrugators toward your fingers and temples. The vertical line is smoothed away by counteracting the pulling-in movement with a pulling-out movement. You alternate pose numbers two and three two more times to complete this exercise. A more simple exercise is Palming, which caters to those who work in front of the computer for long periods of time. It focuses on relieving eye strain and reducing puffiness. You begin by rubbing both palms together until they're warm. Then, cup palms over closed eyes so that the heels of your hands are resting directly on the eyelids. Push gently against the eyes. As an optional exercise, while your heels are still against the eyeballs, contract your orbicularis oculi (the muscles that surround your eyes) against the heels by blinking but still keeping the eyes closed. Contract and release 10 times, resting and repeating as many as 10 times. The Upper lip Smoothie is for those who have lines rising from the upper lip. These are caused from the puckering of the mouth when in conversation or when eating. To start the exercise, place your forefingers on either side of the mouth corners to anchor the muscles. Then, stretch the top lip down over your top teeth and toward the mouth corners at the same time. The upper lip should be completely smooth with no puckers. Hold for a count of five, then release. Repeat three times, counting to 10 each time. The only equipment needed for Nadeau's workout is a mirror, instructions and your hands. The Yoga Facelift uses yoga-like mentality, focusing on the physical and spiritual aspects of maintaining a healthy and harmonic outlook. Spiritually, Nadeau encourages the inner peace achieved through yoga. She suggests a positive attitude to help people get the results of more youthful skin. Initially, it takes about an hour to complete the exercises that work the 190 muscles in the face and neck. After routine practice, the muscles strengthen and it only takes about 10 minutes a day. "The Yoga Facelift" by Marie-Veronique Nadeau costs $19.95. Visit www.marieveronique.net for more information on upcoming classes and events.

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