Flawless, glowing skin is something few of us have.

This has fascinated me for a long time. I hail from the northern part of India, where people often don’t think about what they put in their mouths. I used to live in one of the most polluted cities in the world, and my demanding work schedule was getting the best of me.

The result? My life was messed up by. My skin was oily and highly sensitive, and my face was marred with acne.

Just like every other girl, I tried cosmetics, Ayurvedic treatments, and visiting dermatologists. Nothing seemed to work.

Yet even then, I was a person who would drool over ladies who did hot yoga, meditation, and other related things—things I had never tried myself.

One day, I was discussing my agony with my cousin who is a national yoga player (a bronze medalist if I may brag). She made me realize how silly I had been all these years that I had always made efforts to cure myself on the outside—not the other way around.

She then introduced me to her yoga instructor (mind you, one of the best in the country). She was fresh, attractive, and fit—a picture of beauty and health. I was spellbound by her, and instantly wanted to look and feel like that.

There and then, a new chapter began in my life.

The following yoga poses, or asanas, had a profound effect on healing my skin from the inside out.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

This yoga posture opens up the trunk muscle and enhances the stream of oxygen to the whole body. It helps in discharging pressure from the body, detoxifying it while supporting the revival of skin cells. By turning our faces upward, we engage our facial muscles, which can actually make the skin appear smoother.

Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

This asana gives a pressing twist to our backs, opening the confines of our ribs and, in turn, opening our lungs. This increases our capacity to breathe in more oxygen. What’s more, the back curve encourages blood flow to the facial muscles and head. Subsequently, tactile organs are animated in the body, prompting the rebuilding of skin and hair cells.

Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

Matsyasana is an immaculate pose for conditioning the muscles of the neck and face. The neck twist extends, smooths, and conditions the skin. This posture has also been shown to help treat maladies of the thyroid and pineal gland—common sources of skin ailments.

Shishuasana (or Child’s Pose)

This marvelous yoga stance is known to give momentary alleviation of acute anxiety and stress—two noteworthy adversaries of solid, sparkling skin. This pose offers the space to release physical and mental stress, and also enhances blood flow to the face to encourage sparkling skin.

Trikonasana (or Triangle Pose)

Trikonasana is a phenomenal asana for enhancing blood and oxygen flow through the whole body—from the hands, up the arms, toward the trunk, and finally to the head. It additionally helps to reestablish harmony and balance of the entire body, which helps the skin become more adaptable to changes in mood or environment.

Vajrasana (or Kneeling Pose)

Weak digestion frequently brings about an assortment of skin infirmities, such as skin inflammation and dryness. Therefore, supporting gastrointestinal health is essential to maintaining glowing skin. Vajrasana is a useful tool for this, as it helps strengthen the back and pelvic muscles that surround the digestive system, which in turn improves that system’s functioning.

Dhanurasana (or Bow Pose)

This position not only helps to manage oxygen supply to the whole body, but also helps rejuvenate skin cells by providing a deep stretch for the entire front of the body. It is one of the best yoga postures for disposing barely recognizable toxins and ominous radicals from the body.

Halasana (or Plow Pose)

This is a perfect yoga asana for giving a sparkle to your skin. It immediately enhances blood flow to the body’s center, lungs, face, and head. It also stimulates the thyroid and abdominal organs to improve digestion.

It is not our age or the price we pay for beauty products and lotions that determine the quality of our skin—our wellness level does. I hope that these postures help all the ladies—and gents—out there heal their skin from the inside out and maintain a luminous glow.

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Author: Garima Jalali 
Image: Angelina Litvin/Unsplash
Editor: Callie Rushton