Tip of the Week: The Meaning Behind Namaste

The following by Wendy Moore on doyouyoga.com explores the meaning behind the word Namaste.

Have you ever wondered why we end a yoga class by saying Namaste in unison to our teacher? Have you ever thought about what you are actually saying and why you might be saying it? There are so many rituals connected to yoga which for me adds to the spirituality of my practice and separates it from my other exercise.

I love ending a yoga class by saying Namaste. I find it is similar to saying Amen at the end of a prayer or Maseltov to express joy. There is deep respect inherent in this word despite our surroundings…a yoga studio, gym or even our own home. Saying Namaste gives me a sense of completion, allows me a moment of reflection without movement and bridges the transition to the day ahead of me. I like being able to acknowledge the teacher at the end of the class. I admit that sometimes I say Namaste instead of Whew! after a challenging class. And sometimes I feel silly and even a bit superficial saying a word with such reverence when I’ve so little knowledge of its origin and the culture from which it came. Most of the time, however, after a particularly good class I say it and feel the essence of Yoga: a connection to myself and the greater world.

What Does It Really Mean?

The literal translation of the word “Namaste” breaks down into three sections…Nama means bow; as means I; and, te means you. Thus, I bow to you. The gesture is one of greeting in India. Most often we hold our hands together in the prayer position at our heart chakra. Often our hands move from our third eye to our heart in acknowledgment of our teacher. And usually Namaste is said at the end of a class, but it is equally appropriate to utter it at the beginning as well.

What Does Saying Namaste Mean To You?

Namaste is a way to “send out to the universe something good, something that makes sense in that instant, the possibility of a time when all strife, suffering and harm inflicted upon each other and other living things, will simply stop”. This answer from a friend led me to ask other yogis what they think about when they say Namaste. Most agreed that the word expressed the gratitude they felt to their teacher, gave the class closure, was sometimes just an expression of relief, but also was a conduit to something greater. One of the teachers I asked said that Namaste represented the teacher and student coming together energetically, making a connection.

The Divine In Me, Honors The Divine In You…

Namaste. The word ends our practice but whether we say it or not, the practice of yoga is the embodiment of the word’s meaning. It is a way to honor ourselves and the world we live in. This reflective moment reminds me that yoga transcends language and culture, that connecting mind and body helps us look more deeply into ourselves and at our world.