To improve mood and relaxation
As an exercise, yoga is a natural way to increase serotonin production. According to the Journal of Psychiatry and NeuroscienceTrusted Source, serotonin production plays a role in the treatment of depression. Serotonin is believed to play a major role in happiness. One study trusted Source also suggests people with depression have lower serotonin levels.
Yoga is also especially helpful because of its gentle, calming, and fluid nature. Each pose is flexible, so people of all levels can practice. Your instructor will emphasize breathing, concentration, and smooth movement. They’ll also encourage you to focus on positive images to calm the body and mind.
To reduce stress and anxiety
Yoga also increases your heart rate variability (HRV), or change in the time between heartbeats, by increasing the relaxation response over the stress response in the body. A high HRV means that your body is better at self-monitoring or adapting, particularly to stress.
Yoga can also:
reduce resting heart rate
lower blood pressure
ease breathing
increase pain tolerance
One study, according to Harvard Mental Health, found that people who were more stressed had a lower pain tolerance.