The History of Face Yoga: Honouring Senta Maria Rungèè
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to shine a spotlight on a truly remarkable woman: Senta Maria Runge, the pioneer behind face yoga and author of Face Lifting by Exercise. Her work laid the foundation for the natural, non-invasive approach to facial rejuvenation that we now know and love.
Senta Maria developed her own form of facial massage or face yoga firstly for her own purposes. It was called Face Lifting By Exercise. In her book of the same name Senta Maria explains her system was born out of necessity after enduring the difficult years of World War II. She noticed that even in her twenties, her face and throat had aged. The Face Lifting by Exercise system became a way of restoring her own skin health and vitality but also her life’s work as she explored the science and extensive research of facial muscle structure.
Face yoga isn’t just about looking younger — it’s about reconnecting with your face, easing tension, and supporting your overall wellbeing. Runge understood that the face holds more than expression; it holds emotion, stress, and the story of our lives. Her exercises encouraged women to move their facial muscles in isolation, tone them naturally, and release tension that can affect the entire body.
Why Face Yoga Works
Face yoga stimulates the muscles, connective tissue, and circulation in the face, promoting a radiant, lifted appearance without the need for invasive treatments. Regular practice can:
Improve facial definition and tone
Reduce puffiness and support lymphatic drainage
Release jaw and emotional tension
Enhance overall skin radiance
Boost a sense of vitality and presence
By using muscles in isolation, as Senta Maria advocated, you can strengthen key areas of the face that are often neglected, giving the appearance of a natural lift and glow. Combined with mindful breathing and gentle self-massage, face yoga becomes a holistic ritual, supporting your mind and body as much as your skin.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Senta Maria’s work reminds us that taking control of our appearance doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals or invasive procedures. Instead, we can celebrate the power of our own hands and awareness, connecting with ourselves in a deeply empowering way.
This International Women’s Day, I invite you to honour her legacy by trying a simple face yoga exercise today. Even a few minutes can help you release tension, feel lighter, and reconnect with your natural radiance.
As an additional note I want to celebrate all the women I’ve met over the last year and have become part of my supportive network. In particular Lyn Russell Whittaker. I met Lyn at a networking event in London. We stayed in touch and started having regular conversations. It was Lyn who introduced me to the work of Senta Maria Rungé.
Lyn works with women in business and academia to be engaging, persuasive speakers | Consultant, adviser and coach in all aspects of public speaking - from design to delivery.
Next Steps
If you’d like to explore face yoga further, I run guided sessions and tutorials for midlife women through my Reconnection Circle, where we combine face yoga, massage, and holistic practices to reset, restore, and reconnect.
✨ Bonus: Download my Skin Vitality Blueprint to start incorporating face yoga and facial reflexology at home.
