What is baby face yoga? An alluring new discovery for us as we sat down with a pioneering force of this initiative in Bangkok. Here are key highlights of our banter with Voravarai Varikarn – Eiee, a Certified Baby Face Yoga Method Teacher.
Q: Tell us the pivoting moment that turn you into the world of yoga
A: A health crash that left me tired and yearning for a shift started it all. I first practiced yoga in 2008 and became a yoga teacher not too long after that. I was 36 years old, with a wonderful career as a marketer but I turned myself into yoga because of severe illness. I lost my eyesight on my left eye. The doctor diagnosed it as Optic Papilliyis, an inflammation of the optic nerve. That brought my world to a complete halt. My world was in darkness. I tried so many ways to cure and find my way out of this dark passage. It was all not working until I found yoga. Yoga saved my life and changed my life in every way. I could heal myself with yoga and get a full recovery. There was light again and life went on – till the second challenge came crashing in. I had a tumor and immediate surgery was required. It was a major moment. The surgery was a success, thankfully, but it left me weary. I lamented on my lost youth, lethargy began to take hold and stayed on. I began to feel old. This is when I discovered Baby Face Yoga – it is easy, and it is life changing.
Q: What was your best personal moment as a practitioner of yoga?
A: I can’t believe I’m so passionate about anti-aging until I found Face Yoga Method from the United States. I jumped right in and studied it fully until I became a certified Face Yoga Method Instructor in Thailand. What I like most about baby face yoga is the self-discipline and self-realization. I recognised the power of “self” and I’ve seen so many life-changing moments in so many of my students’ lives.
Q: If given the opportunity to pitch 45 seconds in an elevator, to an investor. What’s your executive pitch for your yoga as a business?
A: Hi! Did you know that approximately 40% of office workers suffer from chronic neck pain and I can help you relieve the pain within a minute. Are you interested?
- Step 1: Bring your right middle fingers to the edge of your left eye, pull-up 45 degree and press your ring finger on the very end of your eyebrow
- Step 2: Inhale with your nose. As you exhale, drop your right ear on your right shoulder and then stick the tongue out and stay here for 10 seconds
- Step 3: Release and come back to your normal position. How do you feel? 🙂
Easing neck pain every time, no matter where you are, and that is just one of the benefits of practicing baby face yoga regularly.
Q: What is your favourite food before/after yoga?
A: My all time favourite food is suki-shabu. To me, it is easy and charming food that I can cook by myself. I gain more appetite and it makes me happy! The best part is a variety of fresh meats and vegetables to choose from. The highlight is the sauce and soup. This is my go-to choice which I can enjoy daily.
Q: What is your favorite book in life?
A: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is my self help book and all time favorite. It is such an influential book that has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. I love this one!
Q: In this current situation with the pandemic, where do you see your yoga, and the business?
A: Even in a bad situation, there’s always a positive side even if you can’t see it yet. Finding the positive side in every situation with the right attitude, awareness and action – that is the key! If you can’t do offline, do online teaching. Use social media as a marketing tool to run your business more. For example Facebook Live is free, just one click of the button. Start your business now and grow your fanpage at no cost. Create valued content on Youtube and customised courses online to serve your target. Mentally, if you can’t go outside, go inside. As a yogi, practice yoga and meditate every single day, connect with your breath and that’s your journey. Practicing and all will come. The answer you are looking for is right there!
Q: If you could have lunch with 3 of the top health practitioners, who would they be?
A: Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex is an advocate of face yoga and vinyasa yoga. I would love to dine with Andrew Thomas Weil too – he is an American celebrity doctor who advocates for alternative medicine. And Dr. Max Gerson, a German doctor who developed the Gerson Therapy, a dietary-based alternative cancer treatment. I’ll probably be making them shabu from my home! Voravarai wrote a best selling online course “Baby Face Yoga 101” and “21 Days Baby Face Yoga Challenge” and she frequently hosts Baby Face Yoga events, workshops and charity in Bangkok and Thailand. Find her on
e-mail : yogaiambyeiee@gmail.com