Hence, human personality is said to be a product of hereditary and environmental factors, which control the behavioral system. This search for happiness is the catalyst that spurs him into new creations and luxuries. But have we ever analyzed what exactly happiness is? The modern man has realized that his hunt for happiness will turn into a wild goose chase, if he seeks happiness in increasing luxuries and comforts of life. He only reaches more and more of miserable state.

The new approach can be found in the age-old way of the Upanishads, the quintessence of Indian culture:

"Pravistam pranapana vanamadvaha viva vrajam,
Ium jarimannahah sevadhi ravisra eha vardhatam"

It is completely based on the total understanding of the reality.

The past few decades have revolutionized the pattern of life of human being in the entire world. The growth of civilization has not only solved the basic necessities of life, but also brought affluence and comfort to man. However this age of speed and competition has increased the stress and strains which man is subjected to.

The result is increased ailments of the psychosomatic type, posing a new challenge, to the modern human world. To meet the new challenge, medical researchers have started experimenting and tracing on new techniques available in various other systems. Yoga is prominent amongst the new principles and techniques (yoga chitta vritti nirodhaha- Yoga is total control over mental modifications).

Although yoga has been used in India over centuries for treating diseases, it has started gaining recognition only in the modern medical field as a special line of treatment.

There is always a one-to-one relationship between physical and mental activities of human race and this relationship may have multiple directions according to the physical and psychological tendencies that differ from one individual to other. Unless perfect relationship is maintained between physical and mental activities, one cannot lead a happy life. This relationship can be maintained through systematized yoga practice. During this century, man has achieved marvelous control over his physical environment. Inspite of overall attainments, we still have not learned how to live with each other in peace. Enimity and intolerance, the problems of human relations are still unsolved. The behavior of an individual is the most important factor for a healthy society. A healthy society is the need of the hour.

We know that there is a mind and that mind is the property of the brain and nervous system. Attempts were made in the recent years to co-relate the bio-chemical activities in the brain with its abnormal functions. A big slice of metabolic diseases are associated with mental retardation. Alteration of specific enzymes is seen in genetic disorders. The brain has a high metabolic rate compared to other organs and the synthesis of many substances locally in the brain, account for its susceptibility to enzymatic changes. The surmise that there is a relationship between effective states and synthesis, storage and release of neuro-transmitters and metabolites is not unfounded. The psychiatric term for the accumulation of a backlog of stress and pent-up emotional baggage is neurosis. The Vedas point out that almost every one has deeply rooted "knots" within his nervous system. These knots supposedly obstruct the natural functioning of the body, thereby limiting the individual capacity and aggravating his sufferings. When all the knots are completely dissolved, it results in enlightenment.

Yoga brings about increased cardio-pulmonary efficiency, relation of the muscles, decrease in the amount of the oxygen consumption, equal distribution of energy through out the body and maintains the neuro-endocrine balance thus bringing about equilibrium between body and mind. The bodily movement due to yogasanas, act on the mind through the body, whereas meditation or dhyana, the seventh step in pathanjali's yoga sutras acts on the body through the mind.