From Early Ageing to Natural Rejuvenation: My Face Yoga Journey

I began noticing early signs of facial ageing at a very young age. After struggling with acne throughout my teens, I overtreated my skin with lasers, chemical peels and aggressive topical skincare, resulting in a damaged skin barrier and the appearance of my first wrinkles at 18. This left me feeling self-conscious and noticeably older than my peers.

Naturally, I began searching for anti-wrinkle solutions. I explored conventional facial rejuvenation options, including creams, serums and targeted topical treatments. I also considered Botox and started by closely observing people who were using it. Initially, the results appeared impressive — Botox delivers fast and visible changes. However, I had concerns about potential side effects, the possibility of altered facial expression over time, and the ongoing financial commitment required. For these reasons, I hesitated, choosing instead to continue observing.

Over the following years, my reservations were confirmed. While many women appeared younger at first, after prolonged and continuous use it became increasingly obvious that their faces had been altered. Rather than looking younger, facial harmony often seemed compromised, and skin quality appeared diminished. This reinforced my understanding that this path was not right for me, and I knew I needed to continue searching for a more sustainable and natural approach.

At the age of 32, I began my formal training in Ayurvedic medicine, which profoundly changed my understanding of facial rejuvenation. I learned how skin health and ageing are influenced from within through diet, herbal support, lifestyle choices and marma points — vital energy points on the face and body. I trained in Ayurvedic marma massage with Dr Vasant Lad, studied facial marma puncture (Ayurvedic acupuncture), and qualified as a yoga teacher. With this knowledge, invasive treatments such as Botox were no longer an option for me, as I understood their wider impact on the body and its detoxification pathways.

Around the same time, I discovered Fumiko Takatsu, founder of the Face Yoga Method. She became an important role model, not only because of her youthful appearance, but because of the philosophy behind her work. The idea that facial muscles can be trained in the same way as the muscles of the body resonated deeply with me. I began practising regularly and noticed improvements in muscle awareness and tone. However, while the changes were genuine, they were not as transformative or long-lasting as I had hoped.

This prompted me to deepen my studies. Over the years, I explored a wide range of methodologies, including Eva Fraser’s Facial Workout, Carole Maggio’s Facercise, Clive Witham’s Facial Gua Sha, and Fumiko Takatsu’s Ultimate Guide to Face Yoga Method. Each approach added valuable insight, yet I continued to seek a method that delivered consistent, sustainable results while fitting into real life.

A significant breakthrough came when I discovered Russian face yoga expert Katia Medushkina. Her approach delivered clear, visible and rapid results, far beyond the subtle improvements I had previously experienced. However, after completing her programmes, I was left questioning how to integrate these practices sustainably into daily life without excessive time commitment.

In 2024, I undertook a comprehensive one-year face yoga training with Galina Dubinina. This marked a true turning point. Within approximately three weeks of creating personalised plans using her method, I began to see noticeable changes. With each month, the results became more stable and pronounced. This training provided the structure, clarity and depth I had been seeking — a systematic, efficient and sustainable approach to facial rejuvenation.

Through this work, I was introduced to a network of highly skilled face yoga and facial therapy professionals. I went on to complete further programmes and trainings, including Svetlana Sivakova’s Female Health Programme with osteopathic facial techniques, Anastasia Dubinskaya’s Revitonica facial rejuvenation method, and RESET — a gentle neuromuscular technique developed by Phil Rafferty to rebalance the jaw and release deep-seated facial and postural tension.

Today, I integrate advanced face yoga and massage techniques with my background as a yoga teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner and therapist trained in Ayurvedic marma massage. This multidisciplinary foundation allows me to take a truly holistic and individualised approach, recognising that the face reflects the health of the entire body. My protocols go beyond facial exercises alone, addressing posture, lifestyle habits, and overall wellbeing, with a clear focus on root causes rather than surface symptoms.

At Magical Medicine, we offer personalised face yoga consultations and tailored plans designed to deliver optimal results in an efficient and sustainable way. Many clients notice visible changes after the first session, with more significant improvements typically emerging after around three weeks of consistent practice. Our consultations focus on creating a programme that clients can integrate into their lives and use for long-term, lasting benefit.

Disclaimer: We never edit, Photoshop, or use AI for customer before-and-after pictures. All images are presented exactly as provided by our clients. The current photo shows no makeup, no filters, and no Photoshop — these are my genuine results.