How Yoga and Breathwork Support Healthy Skin

Yoga teacher Mimi Ghandour shares how mindful breathing and specific poses can enhance your skincare routine

When it comes to healthy, glowing skin, our thoughts immediately turn to skincare products and treatments. While these are essential tools when caring for your skin, your skin reflects your overall health and, if you are constantly struggling with skin issues like breakouts, dullness and premature aging, you may need to take a more holistic approach that addresses both the internal and external causes of your skin problems.

Holistic skincare considers the whole way we support our skin, including lifestyle choices, diet, mental and physical wellbeing, and goes beyond topical treatments to offer a comprehensive approach that nurtures both body and mind.

That's where yoga and breathwork can help: wellbeing practices that not only support us physically and mentally but also contribute significantly to skin health by enhancing circulation and promoting detoxification.

Yoga and breathwork not only support us physically and mentally but also contribute significantly to skin health

“The truth is, yoga is not about bending and flipping,” says Mimi Ghandour, founder of Mimi Yoga. “It's more about being with your breath and being in the present moment, and once you succeed in being with your breath, everything else falls into place.”

Ghandour recently joined us at our first Wellness Retreat in Miami for a panel discussion that explored the connection between our minds, bodies and skin, and how to support a radiant, healthy complexion from within.

Here, read more about how yoga and breathwork can support your skin's vitality and radiance.

By incorporating yoga and breathwork into your routine, you can manage stress and promote healthier skin

The Connection Between Mind, Body, and Skin

Our skin is often a reflection of our internal state—both physically and emotionally. Stress, poor circulation, and unhealthy lifestyle choices can manifest as breakouts, dullness, or signs of aging. Yoga and breathwork help address these underlying issues by promoting relaxation, improving circulation, and fostering a positive mindset.

When we engage in yoga, we are not just stretching our bodies; we are also engaging in mindfulness, which can reduce stress levels. High stress is linked to increased cortisol production, leading to skin problems like acne and eczema. By incorporating yoga and breathwork into your routine, you can manage stress effectively, promoting healthier skin from the inside out.

Yoga poses stimulate blood flow and increase circulation bringing essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin

Boosting Circulation for a Healthy Glow

One of the primary benefits of yoga is its ability to enhance blood circulation. Many yoga poses require the body to twist, bend, and stretch, which stimulates blood flow. Increased circulation brings essential nutrients and oxygen to the skin, promoting a vibrant complexion.

Poses such as downward dog, shoulder stand and bridge pose are particularly effective for enhancing blood flow to the face. These poses help deliver oxygen-rich blood to the skin, supporting cell regeneration and giving your complexion a natural glow. Additionally, improved circulation helps remove toxins, which can prevent skin issues and contribute to a clearer complexion.

The Power of Breathwork

Breathwork is an integral part of yoga, but it can also be practiced independently. Conscious breathing techniques help oxygenate the body, reduce stress, and balance hormones. When you focus on your breath, you stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and reduces the fight-or-flight response associated with stress.

Incorporating breathwork into your routine can also improve lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in detoxifying the body and maintaining skin health. Simple breathwork exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing or alternate nostril breathing, can enhance lymphatic flow, aiding in the elimination of toxins and supporting a healthy complexion.

For those who cannot show up to a yoga class or cannot be consistent in their yoga practice, Ghandour says, “Just take a moment for yourself any time of the day whether it's when you wake up or while you're stuck in traffic. Notice your breath, notice your inhale and your exhale. If you just take a deep inhale through your nose and a deep exhale out of your mouth, that's yoga.”

Breathwork exercises can enhance lymphatic flow and support a healthy complexion

Yoga Poses for Radiant Skin

Certain yoga poses can specifically target skin health. Here are a few poses to incorporate into your routine:

• Downward Dog: This pose increases blood flow to the head and face, rejuvenating your skin and giving it a healthy glow.

• Bridge Pose: This backbend opens up the chest and encourages blood circulation, which can help brighten the skin.

• Plow Pose: This inverted pose promotes blood flow to the face and can help with skin elasticity and texture.

• Child’s Pose: A restorative pose that encourages relaxation, helping to reduce stress and its negative effects on the skin.

• Cobra Pose: This pose opens the heart and lungs, allowing for deep breathing and enhanced oxygenation throughout the body.

Mindfulness and Self-Care

Engaging in yoga and breathwork fosters a sense of mindfulness and self-care. Taking time for these practices allows you to connect with your body, listen to its needs, and cultivate a positive relationship with yourself. This self-acceptance and love can reduce negative self-talk, which is often detrimental to mental health and can negatively impact skin appearance.

“Yoga is a moving meditation,” explains Ghandour. “It's just one hour of your day in which you can be with your breath and to be with yourself as well.”

Building a Routine

To harness the benefits of yoga and breathwork for your skin, consider incorporating these practices into your daily routine:

• Morning Ritual: Start your day with a short yoga session that includes breathwork. Focus on poses that stimulate circulation and promote relaxation.

• Evening Wind Down: Dedicate time in the evening for gentle stretches and deep breathing to release the day’s stress and prepare for restful sleep.

• Mindfulness Check-Ins: Throughout the day, take moments to pause, breathe deeply, and practice gratitude for your body and skin.