One does not require the help of 'Pranayam', 'Yogasana', 'Exercises', or 'Prayer' to lead a healthy life, but requires 'wholesome diet', 'adequate sleep' and 'coitus'. Other than these nothing is necessary for basic mental and physical well being.
The brain of a human being is much more developed and sophisticated than that of any other animate being. And this is the basic criteria that separates humans from other organisms.
Both animals and humans enjoy a healthy life. But the difference is that animals use their senses to enjoy while humans have enjoy both physically and mentally.
Leaving all other creatures humans have advanced day by day and in the present they have been able to create a flourishing human civilization.
Hence from the above we can conclude that the well being of animate beings and humans are completely different.
Therefore to be healthy a man has to enjoy nourishment, adequate sleep and coitus. But since a man enjoys all these both physically and mentally, these three experiences get converted into oceans for a common man, consequently he also cannot solve these eternal mysteries. Therefore to serve these purposes our Ancient Vedic sages have prescribed 'Pranayam', 'Yogasana', 'Exercise', 'Meditation', and 'Spiritual prayers'. If a man can gain proficiency in these, he can get a healthy life. This means we can enjoy our life to the utmost level. Hence we can have a sound and pleasant life which helps us in our spiritual progress.
