BLOG 304: BANISH BAGS UNDER YOUR EYES WITH THESE FACE YOGA TIPS

Tired of seeing those stubborn under-eye bags every morning? 

You're not alone—studies show that 97% of adults develop visible dark circles and puffiness, with the average onset age being just 24 years old. 

The good news? Face Yoga offers a natural, cost-effective remedy that’s proven to help people look up to 3 years younger in just 20 weeks in a study done on a group of middle aged women.

Over the past 20 years of teaching Face Yoga, I have worked with many clients who have used the transformative power of eye techniques to help reduce eye bags. Along side healthy living, good sleep and hydration, many of my clients have been able to significantly shift under eye puffiness and dark circles. 

You’ll find that these six proven Face Yoga techniques target multiple causes of eye bags—from muscle weakness to lymphatic congestion—offering a natural alternative that you can practice in the comfort of your home.

When performed regularly, they not only help reduce the appearance of eye bags but also contribute to overall facial rejuvenation. But consistency is key!

Ready to get started?

1. Eye Corner Press

Your eye corner muscles—orbicularis oculi—surround your eyes and control eyelid movement.

Research shows that strengthening this muscle can improve eye function and minimise the appearance of fine lines. 

Here's how to perform this foundational exercise:

Starting Position

Place your middle fingers at the inner corners of your eyes and index fingers at the outer corners. Apply slightly lighter pressure with the index fingers to avoid straining the delicate eye area skin.

Core Movement

After placing your fingers correctly at the inner and outer corners of your eyes. Then:

1. Half-close your eyes until you feel a slight shake or pulse in the muscle
2. Hold this position for 2-3 seconds
3. Release and relax
4. Repeat 4 times
5. For the final repetition, hold for 10 seconds

Key Tips 

Your success with these facial exercises depends on proper technique and gentle touch.

Keep movements controlled and use really light touch while maintaining steady breathing, adjusting finger positions as needed to better engage the muscles. 

For the best results, practice in the morning when puffiness (although any time is great!) is most visible and never pull or tug at the delicate eye area. 

Regular practice helps strengthen and tone the orbicularis oculi muscle, reducing sagging and puffiness around the eyes.

But if you experience any discomfort—immediately reduce pressure or stop the exercise.

2. Eye Movement Series

Your eye muscles need regular exercise just like any other muscle group.

You’ll find this Face Yoga technique not only strengthens the orbicularis oculi muscle but also helps maintain smooth forehead skin while improving overall eye function.

Starting Position

Place both hands on your forehead, keeping it still.

This position serves two purposes: preventing unwanted forehead movement and training your face to express more through your eyes rather than creating forehead wrinkles.

Diamond Pattern

Begin this gentle eye movement sequence by finding a comfortable seated position. Then:

1. Look up toward the ceiling (top point)
2. Move your eyes down to the outer corner
3. Look down toward the floor (bottom point)
4. Move to the opposite outer corner
5. Return to starting position
6. Repeat in the opposite direction

Circular Movements

After completing the diamond pattern, take a deep breath and prepare for fluid circular motions:

1. Complete full circles with your eyes
2. Rotate clockwise, then counterclockwise
3. Maintain smooth, controlled movements
4. Keep breathing steady throughout

Rectangle Pattern

For the final pattern, visualise drawing a perfect rectangle with your eye movements:

1. Move eyes horizontally across the top
2. Drop down vertically at the corner
3. Track horizontally across the bottom
4. Return up vertically to the starting position

Key Breathing and Safety Tips

Try to keep your head completely still while performing each pattern 2-3 times.

Make sure you take gentle breaks and close your eyes briefly between sets to prevent strain.

Maintain steady, relaxed breathing throughout the movements, as these exercises target muscle weakness—a primary cause of eye bags in 61% of cases.

While these movements are designed to strengthen eye muscles gradually, always listen to your body and stop immediately if you experience any discomfort or strain.

3. Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Your lymphatic system plays a crucial role in removing toxins and reducing fluid retention around your eyes.

This gentle massage technique helps activate your natural drainage system while respecting the delicate nature of your eye area.

Starting Position

Place your fingers under your eyes using extremely light, feather-like pressure.

Remember that the skin here is about 10 times thinner than the rest of your facial skin, making gentle touch essential for preventing damage.

Core Movement

Begin by finding a comfortable seated position and taking a deep breath to prepare your body for the flowing movements. Then:

1. Begin at the inner corner of your eye
2. Use feather-light strokes moving outward and downward
3. Continue the movement down the side of your neck
4. End at your collarbone, where lymph nodes are located
5. Finish with gentle pulsing movements on your collarbone

Key Breathing and Safety Tips

Deep breathing is essential for your lymphatic drainage exercises, as it creates a natural pump action while increasing circulation and supporting toxin removal to reduce morning puffiness.

When practising these techniques, always use extremely gentle pressure and never pull or tug at the delicate eye area.

Make sure you follow the natural lymphatic pathways toward your lymph nodes with slow, intentional movements, especially in the morning when puffiness is most visible. 

While regular practice can significantly reduce under-eye puffiness and help with dark circles, always listen to your body and reduce pressure if you experience any discomfort.

4. Three-Finger Pulse

This gentle lymphatic drainage technique helps eliminate fluid buildup that causes morning puffiness.

Starting Position

Place three fingers under each eye using extremely light pressure.

Your skin here is 10 times thinner than the rest of your face, making gentle touch crucial for preventing damage and promoting proper drainage.

Core Movement

Find a comfortable seated position, then:

1. Apply feather-light pulsing movements under the eyes
2. Keep fingers stationary while creating gentle pumping action
3. Maintain consistent rhythm with your breathing
4. Continue for 30-60 seconds per side
5. Focus on even pressure across all three fingers

Key Breathing and Safety Tips

Coordinate your breathing with gentle pulsing movements. Perform deep nasal inhales and slow nasal exhales while maintaining relaxed shoulders and good upright posture. 

When performing the Three-Finger-Pulse technique, use extremely gentle pressure, never drag or pull at the delicate eye area, and perform them in the morning when puffiness is most visible. 

While regular practice helps reduce morning puffiness by improving lymphatic drainage and circulation, always listen to your body and reduce pressure if you experience any sensitivity.

5. The Gentle Tap and Glide

Your eye area needs proper blood flow to maintain a youthful appearance and reduce puffiness.

This gentle tapping technique helps stimulate circulation while allowing beneficial ingredients to penetrate deeper into your delicate eye area skin.

Starting Position 

Take your index finger and prepare to tap gently around the eye area. Make sure to maintain a very light touch throughout the movement.

Core Movement

After performing the starting position, perform the following:

1. Begin tapping lightly around the orbital bone
2. Move in small circular patterns
3. Continue for one full minute
4. Maintain consistent, gentle pressure
5. Follow the natural eye contour

Apply Product 

Apply a natural eye serum or facial oil before starting this technique. This provides:

• Smooth gliding movement
• Enhanced product absorption
• Additional nourishment
• Protection for delicate skin
• Improved technique effectiveness

Key Posture and Safety Tips

By keeping your shoulders dropped away from your ears, neck relaxed, and chin slightly lifted while avoiding any forward hunching—you can maintain a proper alignment during this exercise.

When combined with steady, deep breathing, these circulation-boosting techniques help reduce dark circles and puffiness while improving your natural glow. 

Though gentle enough for daily practice, always listen to your body and test techniques on a small area first if you have sensitive skin.

6. O-Shape Exercise

Your final exercise combines mouth positioning with eye movements to create a comprehensive facial workout.

This technique engages multiple muscle groups all at once while maintaining the gentleness required for the delicate eye area.

Starting Position

Place your fingers lightly on the sides of your face.

Create an O-shape with your mouth.

Then wrap your lips around your teeth without pulling too hard—and keep your facial muscles relaxed but engaged.

Core Movement

When ready, start the O-shape exercise by:

1. Look up slightly toward the ceiling
2. Flutter your upper eyelids gently
3. Maintain the O-shape with your mouth
4. Continue for 10-20 seconds
5. Keep breathing steady throughout

Key Muscle and Safety Tips

The O-shape exercise helps engage your upper and lower facial muscles.

When practicing make sure you maintain gentle, controlled movements without straining, keeping your shoulders relaxed and posture aligned. 

Always practice in front of a mirror initially to ensure your form is aligned. 

While this technique strengthens the orbicularis oculi muscle (corner eyes) and helps reduce sagging around the eyes, listen to your body and reduce the intensity if you experience any discomfort or strain during your daily practice.

If you would like to learn more about the transformative power of Face Yoga, especially if you are over 40, I recommend my 10 Minute Face Yoga For Sexy, Sculpted, Smooth Skin Over 40 course which is just £21 for lifetime access and consists of eight classes of 10 minutes each to look and feel naturally uplifted using simple, effective Face Yoga techniques for your best skin ever. Perfect if you are 40 or above and want tailor-made Face Yoga moves for your skin, your hormones and your life to look and feel the best version of yourself.