medical reasons to do yoga.

Yoga reduces blood pressure, lowers heart rate, decreases stress hormones, and increases three relax-it’s-okay compounds.

Yoga has been shown to boost blood levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins -- three natural feel-good substances. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel cheerful and content. Dopamine is a brain chemical closely tied to the pleasure centers of the brain. And endorphins? Those are the opiate-like compounds that produce a sense of well-being.

And the best news: You can get the benefits of yoga from a single exercise or a full-fledged class. So even just one Sun Salutation can make the difference.