9 Yoga Poses For Healthier Skin

These 9 simple poses help to relax the body which in turn helps to lower stress, which allows us to sleep better... and as we all know... better sleep leads to better skin.

Each of these poses have their own set of benefits. If you can do each one for at least a minute every night before bed, I believe you will notice a difference in how well you sleep.

Practicing yoga poses regularly can improve flexibility, strength, sleep quality, and your well-being overall… and anything that’s good for the body is good for the skin.

The benefits of yoga as it relates to skin, center around its ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is an immune response that can cause the skin to become red, dry, and itchy. This according to a study by John Hopkins Medicine.

Doing yoga can help relieve stress and reduce inflammation. And that’s good news for your complexion.

In particular, yoga has been linked with lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol - a hormone that helps the body respond to stress… But when cortisol levels are constantly high, due to chronic stress, it can result in disease and other health problems… including skin issues.

Practicing yoga, in addition to the neuromuscular benefits, there is an overall positive effect on our endocrine system, which regulates our hormones, including cortisol.

A study published in the January–February 2016 issue of the Journal of International Society of Preventative & Community Dentistry found people who practice yoga regularly had lower cortisol levels than those who did not practice. Simply put - when cortisol is in check, our skin — and body — are happier.

Yoga helps to improve overall well-being… of course it is not a magic bullet. However, it is a start. Regular practice helps lower stress which helps to lower cortisol levels.

Try holding each pose for 1 minute each before bed or anytime during the day when you need a break.

Click here for the printable pdf of all 9 poses.

Hero pose:

hero yoga pose

Stretches the hips, thighs, knees, ankles and feet.
Improves circulation and relieves tired legs.
Strengthens foot arches, relieving flat feet Improves posture

Child pose:

child pose yoga

Helps to stretch the hips, thighs, and ankles
Reduces stress and fatigue
Gently relaxes the muscles on the front of the body while softly and passively stretching the muscles of the back torso

Upward dog:

upward dog yoga pose

Strengthens the spine, arms and wrists.
Stimulates the organs of the abdomen.
Improves posture, by stretching anterior spine and strengthening posterior spine.
Stretch chest and lungs, shoulders and abdomen.
Helps to relieve anxiety, fatigue and pain of sciatica

Camel pose:

camel pose yoga

Improves spinal flexibility, while also strengthening the back muscles and improving posture.
Creates space in the chest and lungs, increasing breathing capacity and helping to relieve respiratory ailments.
Stimulates the kidneys, which improves digestion

Butterfly fold:

butterfly pose yoga