It is a pure science; the great science of yoga is India’s unequalled gift to mankind. If mankind is to evolve further, and if it is to save itself from its own aggressive tendencies, the only path open is the science of yoga. Though the ultimate goal of this science is the realization of the absolute, in day to day life, it is useful and necessary to maintain mental and bodily health.

Bodily exercises (asanas),
Breath control (pranayama)
Mind control (dhyana)

Are helpful to win over the bodily and mental ills. The role of the mind in the creation of health and ill health has been well emphasized by ayurvedic physicians. In praising Dhanvanthiri, the first sloka begins by emphasizing that diseases arise in the body due to problems of the mind like raga (excessive desire). 

The human body and mind are gifts of God. The asset given to us without any interest, for anything in life to be fulfilled, the body should be healthy and this needs constant care. Just as a car needs regular maintenance, the body and mind also need the same. This is best achieved by regular exercise. Awareness of these exercises is becoming popular. However people who do their regular exercises, still form a minority in our vast world.

Before we understand health, diseases should be identified and eliminated. Yoga identifies diseases at the embryonic stage, several years before they are manifested. An easy example is the orthopedic disorder of low back pain. Medicine has no method to predict who will not suffer this problem. Yoga analyses a person in terms of the ability to perform certain postures, and predicts the probability of the person suffering from low back pain in the future. It is difficult to understand this further, unless one has practiced yoga for many years. 

Asanas or Posture is what everyone generally takes yoga to mean. However asanas are not just a set of exercises or positioning of the body. They rejuvenate the cells of the brain and activation of the cells of the bodily organs. It takes years of sustained effort to master asanas and the concentration and balance needed make the mind razor sharp. Once the asanas have been perfected, performing the same becomes effortless and the yogi loses himself in the pose.

Pranayama , prana means all forms of energy like cosmic energy, mental energy, sexual energy and physical energy. It is loosely translated as breath. Ayama is control; or discipline of breathing. If the breath is controlled and calm, the senses are stilled and the mind is settled. Pranayama raises the practitioner to that state of silence rarely experienced in the normal day to day life. 

Asanas like dog pose, hand, stand, and urdhva mukha svanasana stretch the palms, forearms and upper arms. This improves blood supply to the armpit area. It also stretches the side chest are which is constantly pressed. 

It is heartening to know that in this age of hurry and stress and of emphasis on high technology medicine, there are well- established techniques in the science of yoga to restore one’s health, with happiness.