muscles of the mouth
muscles of the jaw
get to know your face
The following exercises can help you to locate and identify some of the key muscles of the face.
Place two fingers between your eyebrows and frown in a disapproving manner. You’ll feel a combination of the Procerus, which lies just above the nose, and the Corrugator supercilii, located above the eyebrow.
Place a hand flat against your forehead and scrunch up your forehead. You’ll feel your hand being pulled up, mainly due to the contraction of the large Frontalis muscle. Working this muscle helps to increase oxygen and blood circulation through the forehead and around the eyes. This helps soften your brow, making you look more relaxed.
Place two fingers of both hands on either side of your head, slightly above and in front of your ears, and clench your teeth. You’ll feel the wide Temporalis muscle, responsible for closing your jaw and aiding chewing.
Close your eyes and gently place an index finger across the top of each eyelid. Keeping your eyes shut, widen your eyes as if trying to lift your eyelids. The delicate muscle you can feel is part of the Orbicularis Oculi, which encircles the eye.
Separate the index and middle fingers of one hand to make a V shape. Place one finger on either side of your nose and try closing your nostrils. You’ll feel the Compressor Naris.
Now try flaring your nostrils. This involves the Depressor Septi and Levator Labii superioris.
Purse your lips as if kissing and feel the circular muscle surrounding the mouth. This is the Orbicularis Oris.
Protrude your lower lip and wrinkle your chin as if sulking. The muscle that controls this expression is the Mentalis.
Place a finger slightly away from the corner of one side of your mouth and smile to that side. The muscles you can feel are the Zygomaticus major and minor.
express yourself
Now that you’ve become familiar with some of your facial muscles it’s time to look at how they work together to create certain expressions. This is not just a learning process but also very good exercise. It’s best to stand in front of a mirror so you can see how the muscles function. By doing these exercises regularly you’ll become familiar with your face, your skin will take on a healthy glow, and there will be a fresh vitality about you. As soon as you can feel the muscles, let go and assume the next expression.
