Yoga for Skin Health.

Inflammation being the driver of most chronic health challenges, is highly stimulated by stress (sympathetic nervous system dominance).

Hi, if we haven't met, my name is Hayley and I am a skincare Naturopath and Nutritionist who has a specific interest in treat the 'root cause' of Acne vulgaris with Natural Medicine. 

I am a real person and yes the link between yoga and decreasing your overall stress is real but I am not here to recommend that you partake in yoga twice a day, every day unless that is what you want to do. I always like to give  recommendations from my personal and professional experiences. 

I am the health practitioner yogi who does yoga twice daily or has always loved yoga but having yoga as a practice within your life that you can always come back to is such a blessing. 

This is one of my holistic recommendations when treating my clients with acne. Most acne patients are STRESSED with a capital S but we live in a modern, fast paced society where stress and being busy is glorified, so I get it and yes that was me. 

I had hormonal acne since I was 13 years old, then with a lot of stress, this lead to chronic acne until I was in my early-mid twenties. 

A little bit of stress is actually good for our bodies but when our stress becomes constant and chronic, this can become a problem. 

For example if you are not sleeping, or sleepy all the time, craving stimulants (coffee, tea, sugar, greasy/oily foods), can not think straight, forget easily and or haven't taken a deep breathe in a long time, you could be under the influence of chronic amounts of stress. 

Cue ** Let's all take one BIG deep breathe together now - in through your nose and a big sigh out of your mouth**. 

The good thing is, there are many solutions to bring yourself back to living in a state of equilibrium where you skin is going to be able to breathe and your Gastrointestinal Tract (gut) is going to be able to absorb the nutrients you are eating to feed your skin. 

'Yin' yoga is one of my favourite ways to balance my nervous system, when I am feeling quite 'yang' meaning on the go, moving at a very fast pace.

For anyone who does not know, Yin yoga focusses on your deep connective tissue like your fascia, ligaments, joints and bones. It is a slower, more meditative type of yoga, giving you the space to go inward and tune into both your mind plus the physical sensations of your body. You hold each yoga posture for a longer time period compared to a Vinyasa flow, in Yin yoga you can hold postures up to (3-20 minutes),  (yummy - you can tell I love Yin yoga). This really helps to deepen your stretch, nourish and lengthen tissue. The practice of yin yoga is based on ancient Chinese philosophies and Taoist principles which believe there are pathways of Qi (energy) that run through out bodies. This is also linked to the acne face map, stay tuned for more information. By stretching and keeping into yoga poses, we are opening up any blockages and releasing that energy to flow freely. 

A yin yoga sequence has a similar effect on our energy flow as an acupuncture treatment would. A Yin yoga sequence, can help restore the healthy flow of Qi in our bodies and allow our minds to rest for a little snippet of the day. Slowing down to speed up in a way. I notice I am so much more sharper after a yin yoga class. 

Warning: It is ok to move at a face past, if that is what you want to do. I sometimes get so excited to see women finally treat their acne and understand why they had acne. That I love being on the go, but it is always important to drop back into the Yin energy which is slow, full of rest and recharging. It is a balance and if you look at people who have beautiful, glowing, healthy skin they genuinely always have a yin like practice within their life. This maybe yin yoga, taking a slow mindful bush walk, my favourite taking a long epson salt bath. Look out for a blog post about the benefits of bathing for acne free skin soon. 

How often do I need to go for a benefit? As much or as little as you need, if you turn into your body and your schedule see how you go but I would aim for one class per week in additional to your cardio/resistance training.

You may even notice the difference in body when participating in other forms of exercise because you have stretched and nourished your muscle/fascia with Yin Yoga. 

Yin yoga has allowed me to recognise my own personal thought patterns (negative or positive), teaching me to not be receptive to the negative thoughts and take inspired action regarding my positive thoughts.

Let me and our community know, what your Yin Yoga experience was like over on our private 'Skincare Academy' - Natural Acne Treatment. I am really loving the vibe of this Facebook group!!

Just putting it out there!! .You do not have to be a master of yoga to experience the clarity of mind and resilience from practicing the postures, philosophy or taking part in a weekly/monthly yoga class. Anyone and everyone can excel if you are open minded to the endless benefits of yoga including a balanced nervous system and glowing, clear skin. 

Besides “Yoga is not about tightening your arse. It’s about getting your head out of it”

- Eric Paskel. 

It is important to move our bodies, especially for lymphatic circulation when treating your acne. Although sometimes I wake up and I do not want to do yoga or any strenuous movement and that is also totally ok. This does not make me or you “un healthy”, this allows us to strengthen our relationship with ourselves to find out exactly what we are called to do that day, not every day is the same. Obviously if you “think” you are being called to do 'no' physical movement for weeks on end maybe that is something that needs to be addressed by a health care practitioner. 

In this day and age, our lives are chocka block full. If you feel like you need more rest, self-love in your life - do it. I know easier said than done but you are in the captain seat of your life.  

NEVER underestimate the power of stretching at the beach, walking outside in nature and a cuddle from a loved one. This is considered self-love too. You really have to love yourself, not just say you do,  to glow from the inside out and that is my goal for you!! 

It is so important to not judge yourself along your 'acne to glow' transformation or along any health transformation/adjustment.

Stay in your own lane and be your own version of weird, beautiful, sparkly. Whatever you want!!  

I am excited!! Let's have some FUN and do a little exercise, not the physical type. Although one day I would love to throw a virtual dance party - unintentional cardio and lymphatic circulation - BOOM!! 

Surprise - something you may not know about me is that I am a professional Samba no Pé dancer and I am have paraded in the biggest party in the world - Rio de Janeiro's carnival. 

This exercise will help boost your positivity and help you along your skincare health transformation, when times may become tough. You will know that you have GOT THIS!!

Look at a picture of you and list seven (7) things you are most proud of. 

I will go first: (from my picture). 

1. I am unstoppable, feminine, strong, healthy and vibrant. 

2. I have beautiful clear, glowing skin that took a lot of energy, time and education to achieve.  

3. I see green eyes who may inspire a stranger to smile.

4. I see strong legs, to carry myself throughout day, allowing me to achieve my mission and passions in life - Teaching women how to achieve glowing skin, thriving health and in touch with their intuition. 

5. I see a smile which has quirkiness and humour attached. 

6. I see skin which has been blessed to have healthy amounts of sun light (vitamin D) touch it, down near the ocean, feeling free with beautiful, fresh salty air in my face. 

7. I see hair, long and beautiful, which some people do not have due to serious illness. I am so grateful for my health. 

This photo was taken at my first photoshoot for my business in 2018.

Embrace life, find balance in your day, whether that includes Yin Yoga or a nature walk, learn how to glow from the inside out because you can and you will!!  

I am human, just like you and I cannot wait to see you inside my fun, step by step course - Acne to Glow, teaching you how to treat the root cause of your acne with Natural Medicine. 

Let's Glow, 

Hayley Barnes

Skincare Naturopath/Nutritionist

B. Hth. Sci. (Naturopathy). B. Clin. Sci. (Nat. Stud./Comp. Med.)

A. T. M. S. Membership Number: 51050