The Meaning of “Namaste” Yoga
The word Namaste is a greeting in Sanskrit that means simply Hello! It is simply a greeting or a salutation. However, it can be used at the beginning of meeting someone or even at the end when the people depart. So in that sense it is a timeless salutation. It signifies mutual respect and is a sign of acknowledgement of each other’s presence and the light within each of us.
In Yoga classes the yogis generally greet the teacher and other students at the end of the class by saying Namaste. It is a great way to realize each others presence and thank each other for the shared energy in a common space.
AN AGE OLD TRADITION
Namaste is an ancient Sanskrit word with Hindu roots that dates all the way back to the Vedic period. It’s an expression that has been used for literally thousands of years and while Namaste has many different translations and uses, it is above all an expression of respect. While the word Namaste originated long ago in the East, it has slowly become a common expression in the West thanks to the rising popularity of yoga and other spiritual practices.
Namaste is an expression of appreciation and respect towards another person, entity or deity. It can be used as a hello greeting and even as a goodbye, so you might say Namaste upon meeting someone, or before parting ways.
It is derived from two key Sanskrit words:
Namah: bow, adoration, salutation
Te: to you
The most literal translation of Namaste is “I bow to you,” but there are many different interpretations of the word, some of which are listed below.
The Many Meanings of Namaste
Hello
Welcome
I see you
I bow to you*
I honor you
I respect you
We are one
We are equal
My spirit bows to your spirit
The divine in me honors the divine in you
Farewell, goodbye
*The most literal translation
There are also several versions of the Namaste Prayer, which expand on these translations.
NAMASTE PRAYER
I honor the place in you in which the whole universe resides.
I honor the place of love, light and peace.
When you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me
we are truly one.
Namaste.
When we simply say ‘Namaste’, we are conveying the energy and respect of the Namaste Prayer in a concise way.
One can even mean Namaste without saying anything at all.
You can use Anjali Mudra alone or along with bowing the head to express the meaning of Namaste without actually speaking the word aloud.
Finally, as all of us wish love, peace and health to each other the greater point of all these gestures, mudras, practices and traditions is that we respect each other, show our gratitude and uplift the community we live in. Yoga is just one simple way to do that and help the greater good.
Namaste.
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