Face Yoga For Bell’s Palsy

Face Yoga is the natural practice of activating and toning the 50+ facial muscles in connection with awareness of breath and inner happiness. Recent studies have proven that facial exercises can reduce the signs of aging, change the overall look and shape of our face and more. One of the additional benefits of Face Yoga can be rehabilitating paralyzed facial muscles. 

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Bell’s palsy is a type of facial paralysis that results in the inability to control facial muscles on the affected side of the face. The cause of Bell’s palsy is uncertain, but results from the dysfunction of facial nerves and causes droopiness in one side of the face, similar to stroke paralysis. Failure to treat Bell’s palsy can result in these symptoms becoming permanent, which is one of the reasons why moving the muscles and doing facial exercises properly is so important. 

3 Steps Before You Begin Face Yoga With Bell’s Palsy

To help ensure your positive experience with Face Yoga, there are three things I recommend you do BEFORE you begin your practice if you are experiencing any symptoms of Bell’s palsy. 

#1: Have you seen a specialist? 

If you think you may have Bell’s palsy or if your symptoms are similar, I highly recommend you do this as soon as possible. The sooner you get treated (sometimes with medication) the faster the recovery is and the less damage to your face and nerves. While I often try to heal with the eastern, holistic approach, sometimes it helps to get conventional treatment.

#2: Is this a recent development? 

If this is recent, I do not recommend massage or facial exercise right now. You want to wait for a few more days or weeks and pay attention to your symptoms. It’s still early to do Face Yoga. 

#3: Rest

All too often we try to overwork ourselves with this “can-do” mindset. As much as I admire your strength I want to make sure you are taking care of yourself!

If you’re having symptoms, rest as much as you can! I know you have a lot to do, but please do rest and recover as it is not only for yourself but for your family. This is not the time to push yourself too hard. 

Ask for help if you need it. 

Clients’ Experiences

Symptoms of these conditions vary from mild to severe and we have many Face Yogis who have added Face Yoga to their holistic treatment plan. We’ve worked with stroke patients and also some clients with Bell’s palsy in the past and through them, I discovered that my Method can help regain facial movements and symmetry with facial exercises, but it will usually take more time to see results. 

Once a client came to one of my in-person workshops with his wife. One side of his face was not moving well because of the stroke. Prior to seeing me, he had already been doing physical therapy at a clinic. He told me that all the exercises he had to do with the physical therapist were not fun….so he found me! 

Recently, a client with Bell’s palsy began her Face Yoga Method practice after about 6 weeks of symptoms. When she began Face Yoga she…

❌ Couldn’t blow out her cheeks
❌ Couldn’t pronounce words that required a closed mouth
❌ Half of her tongue was numb
❌ Couldn’t close her mouth entirely
❌ Couldn’t suck on a straw
❌ Constantly dry mouth
❌ Right eye couldn’t close tight
❌ Couldn’t raise eyebrows
❌ Couldn’t flare right nostril
❌ Eyeballs feel insecure, tired eyes constantly

Through a customized five-week regimen with one of my Certified Students, she had amazing improvement, both physically and mentally! 

Face Yoga Routine For Bell’s Palsy

While all of our online programs can help you see results, there are a few Face Yoga Method poses to try first! 

People with Bell’s palsy tend to develop synkinesis (a neurological symptom in which a voluntary causes a simultaneous involuntary contraction of other muscles) and by doing these facial exercises slowly, you can help prevent synkinesis. 

Once your symptoms are settled and you move into a recovery phase and/or treatment, you can start some facial exercises. Always start your practice with the Warm-Up Poses (these can be found in all programs, eBook, and physical Book). The focus of your Face Yoga practice should be creating a sense of awareness, both between breaths and during the poses. 

When you are ready, practice this set of poses for about 10 minutes each day:  

EXERCISE 1: The WOW ™ Pose 

I would recommend the WOW pose first as a great “warm up” pose for your face and to awaken the nerve muscles intentionally. 

When doing this pose, be sure to do it as slowly as possible and open your eyes simultaneously with your mouth for the most benefit. Try your best not to close your eyes too tightly. Follow with the Eye-Opening Binocular Pose ™.

EXERCISE 2: The Eye-Opening Binocular Pose ™ 

Try to keep your eyes wide open as much as you can. Sometimes people who have suffered from Bell’s palsy cannot isolate eye movements and mouth movements. So try to open the eyes without moving the mouth, and try to move the mouth without moving the eyes. 

EXERCISE 3: The Big O ™ 

This pose is a fantastic pose for improving blood circulation to the entire face! 

EXERCISE 4: Tapping ™ 

This exercise will help activate the facial nerves and can bring sensation back to the face. 

EXERCISE 5: I also recommend ALL of the poses I have for the Mouth Area. 

Some of the mouth poses may be very challenging for you if you have lost control of your mouth muscles. If so, you can use your hands and fingers as much as you need to. Keep trying and practicing and with time you may regain movement to this area! 

EXERCISE 6: Hot Towel Treatment 

Bell’s palsy causes a loss in muscle movement on the affected side of the face, and that leads to reduced blood circulation. By applying a hot towel on the affected side, you can improve the blood circulation to this area. 

Keep in mind that the slower you do these poses the more you are working your muscles to control their movements.

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My Biggest Tip For Overcoming Bell’s Palsy 

My biggest tip for those with facial paralysis – is to be patient and kind with yourself. 

Believe in your body’s ability to heal and know that a positive mindset can do wonders for you. 

If you have Bell’s palsy or facial paralysis from a stroke, I would be honored to hear of your progress using the Face Yoga Method and my facial exercises! 

Your effort is a prime example of our slogan:
Change Your Face
Change Your Life 

“I started face yoga a week ago. I had Bell‘s palsy 7 years ago and I still have a bit of asymmetrical eyes. Actually I made peace with it. But I wanted to try face yoga if there will be any improvement so that I can also share this knowledge with my students. Yesterday my daughter asked me what I was doing and I explained to her about face yoga… Love yourself, love others, do yoga, do face yoga, watch your breathing, practice mindfulness and meditation…” ~ Seda

“The facial paralysis of the right side of my face lasted nearly 7 months! The symmetry of my face, especially my mouth has never been the same. I’ve struggled with insecurities and always avoid showing my teeth when I smile in pictures. I’m impressed with the improvement I’m noticing only after 14 days of the mouth and cheek jumpstart!” – Tina

*Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on the Face Yoga Method website.

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