Social media has become powerful in shaping beauty norms, particularly regarding facial aesthetics. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have changed how people perceive beauty, particularly when it comes to facial aesthetics. The allure of a chiseled jawline, symmetrical features, and a flawless complexion have led many to cosmetic surgery and invasive procedures.

However, Koko Hayashi dares to be different. In an industry that often leans towards expensive and complicated quick fixes, she advocates for a method that relies on the body's natural capabilities. Through her brand and business venture, Koko Face Yoga, she shares face yoga and mewing techniques to help others achieve a youthful and healthier face through natural beauty solutions.

Mewing: Science or Myth?

Mewing is a technique that has gained popularity as a natural method for improving facial structure and aesthetics. Named after Dr. John Mew, a British orthodontist, and his son, Dr. Mike Mew, mewing involves proper tongue placement in the mouth to influence the shape of the jawline and overall facial appearance. According to Hayashi, it’s part of a broader field of orthotropics, which focuses on guiding facial growth naturally through oral posture.

The potential benefits of mewing are multi-faceted, yet the primary benefit focuses on achieving enhanced facial aesthetics, such as overall symmetry and balance of the facial features, defined jawline, and better alignment of the teeth and jaws. When the tongue is positioned correctly, it acts as a natural brace, applying gentle pressure that can aid in aligning the teeth more favorably over time. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who might otherwise require orthodontic interventions.

In addition to potential improvements in facial structure, Hayashi mentions how mewing promotes better oral posture. It helps maintain a closed-mouth posture, which is crucial for healthy breathing habits. Breathing through the nose, rather than the mouth, prevents dry mouth and lowers the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

However, mewing also facilitates better breathing and addresses sleep issues. Proper tongue posture and promoting nasal breathing, integral to mewing, might alleviate problems such as snoring or mild sleep apnea. Hayashi explains that by ensuring that the airway remains open and unobstructed during sleep, mewing can contribute to better breathing patterns, leading to more restful sleep and overall improved health.

Mewing the Right Way

Hayashi acknowledges that mewing significantly benefits overall health, yet few know how to do it properly. As a certified yoga instructor with a CIDESCO license, one of the world's most prestigious qualifications for aesthetics and beauty therapy, she aims to illuminate this technique and instruct people in its proper application through her platforms.  

At the heart of mewing lies the principle of effective facial posture, especially during rest periods — a factor Hayashi identifies as crucial in influencing one's appearance. Her teachings revolve around the ideal tongue position: gently resting against the roof of the mouth. This practice is more than a mere exercise as it teaches people how to use the tongue, an essential muscle critical in sculpting and maintaining the facial structure.

Hayashi meticulously demonstrates how to mew properly in her video series, focusing on flattening the tongue against the palate. She extends this technique into everyday scenarios, like eating, to underscore the significance of consistent tongue posture. Hayashi clarifies that neglecting this practice or favoring one side of the mouth can gradually lead to facial asymmetry — which many face unknowingly.

Moreover, Hayashi shares her experience with mewing, highlighting its role in reducing chin tension — a common contributor to facial sagging. "By adopting the correct tongue posture, with the tongue poised on the roof of the mouth, I've managed to focus the tension on my cheekbones rather than the lower part of my face, effectively reducing sagging," she explains.

Hayashi’s mission is to cultivate a heightened awareness of everyday facial habits that could inadvertently disrupt facial harmony. She advocates for subtle yet impactful lifestyle changes over radical transformations. By consistently practicing these simple, mindful techniques, Hayashi is confident that individuals can significantly enhance their facial aesthetics and overall health.

In the Face of Skepticisms

Hayashi recognizes that for many, the concept of mewing or being mindful of one's tongue placement might initially seem strange or unconventional, an entirely normal perspective. However, she emphasizes that embracing unfamiliar practices can be the key to unlocking profound benefits and gaining a deeper understanding of their bodies.

The face yoga expert encourages an open-minded approach. She invites people to explore beyond their comfort zones to discover practices with significant yet often overlooked potential for enhancing their natural beauty.

Hayashi tirelessly uses her platforms to establish mewing as a fundamental facial exercise, especially for those who lack the means for expensive cosmetic treatments. Her advocacy is rooted in the belief that effective beauty practices should be accessible to all, emphasizing that the most powerful techniques are often the simplest and most natural.