This photo is of my daughter and I at a Christmas party doing our facial yoga ~ enjoying the season.
I do hope you are enjoying the “social medicine” of the season. Being with others is so good for us – seeing others smile can activate positive emotions and the release of dopamine which is associated with the anticipation of pleasure. A real smile decreases stress and cortisol levels, improves cognitive function, alters gene expression and increases longevity.
An honest smile involves more than just a smirk or a half smile. Paul Ekman, a psychologist who is an expert in micro expressions, says we need to use our eyes to smile ~ our ‘crows feet’.
What about those who cant use their eyes to smile? Do people with botox injections around the eyes feel the same joy when smiling? According to the studies, they do not. Paralysing the facial muscles can disrupt the intricate bidirectional flow of emotional information. Smiling with our eyes helps to convey the complete emotion of a smile.
The lines on your face tell a beautiful tale. Using the muscles on our face to reflect another’s feelings is important – our lines give us the ability to mirror and feel another’s joy or pain.
Long term meditator’s and yogis are some of the best in the world at reading the intricate micro-expressions on people’s faces. “They do better than policemen, lawyers, psychiatrists, customs officials, judges — even Secret Service agents,” says Paul Ekman. The meditator’s brain and body is so inherently linked – every little tiny muscle.
Do enjoy observing the smiles of your friends and family – tis’ the social medicine of the season. A real smile will keep you well.
Cheers and ‘bottoms up’ to the crow’s feet.
~ Celia
Find out more about the anti-ageing benefits of meditation, facial yoga vs botox and the brain changing effects of facial expression.
ABC RADIO with Celia Roberts 9 mins
Lets enjoy a day of yoga together:
Women’s Spiritual Health Retreat
This Sunday.
9.30am-4.30pm $108 Full day ~ Online bookings.
Half day is $60 AM or PM – Please email to request a spot.
Term Break
10/12 – 2/2 ~ During the break there are many opportunities to practice…
Join the following retreats:
3rd January ~ New Year Sankalpa (Sacred Intention)
31st January ~ Restorative Yoga Therapeutics
Please email to book.
4 day silent meditation retreat
~ with Linda Clair at Brookfield Retreat
Jan 8-11th bookings
Join me for a holiday season of classes at Indooroopilly workout.
Thursday 17 December 7am & 6.30pm
Saturday 19 December 9.45am
Saturday 2 January 9.45am
Monday 4 January 7am
Thursday 7 January 7am
Monday 11 January 7am
Thursday 14 January 7am & 6.30pm
Pricing: http://workout.net.au/
Half day Silent Meditation Retreats
Return to Brookfield next year.
Save the dates
Begin your yoga and or meditation teacher training in Jan 2016.
We have an all new Meditation Teacher training course for 2016!
Read more
January Intensive Yoga Teacher Training 2016.
Read more
Sunshine Coast Immersion Training 2016
Read more
Aislinn ~ our dear friend and YIMI Manager.
Together at our Christmas party drinks.
Smiling ear to ear,
Celia Roberts
