Final answer:
The first 4 limbs of Patanjali's 8-limbed path include Yama (moral restraints), Niyama (personal observances), Asana (physical postures), and Pranayama (breath control), which collectively form the ethical and practical foundation of Yoga.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first 4 limbs of Patanjali's 8-limbed path, which is a central aspect of classical Yoga philosophy, are as follows:
- Yama: These are ethical guidelines pertaining to moral restraints such as non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-hoarding, and often interpreted as celibacy (control of sexual energy).
- Niyama: This limb refers to personal observances including purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power or the acceptance of a higher reality.
- Asana: These are the physical postures practiced in yoga that are designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.
- Pranayama: This limb involves the control of the breath, which is believed to influence the flow of energy in the body and aids in achieving a balanced state of mind.
These four aspects of the 8-limbed path are foundational for the development of a Yoga practice that leads not just to physical well-being, but also to moral, mental, and spiritual growth.