Her Active Life

Click here for the Lead Stories

The Yoga Life: Namaste

Posted October 18, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Valerie Cerami

Section: Her Motivation, Special Features

Her Active Life is pleased to birng you more from The Yoga Life, giving you insight and information about the history of yoga, different styles to explore and new poses and postures to incorporate into your practice.

A beautiful word that should be heard:  Namaste (pronounced “nah-mah-STAY"). 

Any yoga enthusiast knows the ropes of proper yoga class etiquette… or will learn them as quickly as rolling out a sticky mat. 

Yoga practitioners use Namaste at the end of each class as a “thank you” to honor their instructor (and one another). 

The translation of Namaste is a Sanskrit word meaning:  “The Light of God in Me recognizes and honors The Light of God in You - and in that recognition is our Oneness.” It is a phrase, as well as a gesture (one not necessarily necessary for the other).

Literally, it means “I bow to you.” Derived from a combination of the Sanskrit words “namas” (to bow) and “te” (to you).

When said after yoga practice (or spoken outside of class), Namaste is commonly accompanied by a gesture of a slight bow made with hands pressed together (palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest).  The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning (again, in or out of a class setting).

Equally, namaste can be used as a (lovely) greeting and a closing (similar to reciprocal usages of Shalom or Aloha).

In everyday life, namaste isn’t thought of as a religious gesture, though many believe it has a spiritual basis in recognizing a common divinity (god/goodness/spirit) within the other person.

Namaste can mean different things to different souls, but which interpretation resonates within you?

Deepak Chopra:

“I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me”

Lilias Folan’s teachings from her journeys to India:

“Your spirit and my spirit are ONE”

Even more alternative meanings:

“I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace, When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One”

“I recognize that we are all equal”

“The entire universe resides within you”

“That which is of the Divine in me greets that which is of the Divine in you”

Now that you know the meaning of Namaste – use it! 

Research sources and for more information:

4 comments, add yours | Permalink | Share this article

Tags: deepak chopra, namaste, namaste meanings, namaste translation, sanskrit, the yoga life, yoga

Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!

4 Responses to “The Yoga Life: Namaste” (Leave a reply)