The Meaning of Namaste: Why Do We Say Namaste In Yoga?

Namaste, dear yogi.

As a yoga teacher for adults & kids we say namaste at the beginning and mostly at the end of yoga class. We all just naturally say it. Kids love to say this even more and yes, hardly anyone ever asked what is the meaning of namaste. I would usually say things like “ the peace within me is the same peace within you” or may the peace within us honor the peace within all” and Visa versa…

I could go on about other ways to say this!

So, if you practice yoga, you’ve probably heard the word “Namaste” before. Maybe your yoga instructor closed your class by saying this and maybe you even said it back. But, do you know exactly why we say Namaste and what it really means?

Though commonly used in yoga, few actually know what Namaste means or why we say it.  This is in part because there is no single translation of the word.  There are actually many different ways to interpret the word Namaste.

In this article, we’ll explore the history of this term and its many meanings and learn some of the ways it can be used.  You’ll be able to decide for yourself if this ancient term is something you might want to add to your repertoire yoga vocabulary.

The History of Namaste

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.

Now that you know a little bit about the history of the word, let’s talk about what it actually means.

The Definition of Namaste

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.

Is There a Right Way to Say Namaste?

Are you ready to honor yourself and others with a Namaste greeting, but you’re not sure how to express it correctly?  The good news: there is no ‘right’ way to say Namaste, as long as it is being used as an expression of respect and gratitude and being pronounced correctly.  It is a three-syllable word that is pronounced nah – muh – stay.

When saying Namaste, we typically bow the head slightly and bring the hands together at heart center in a ‘mudra’ or hand gesture called Anjali Mudra. In yoga, we use hand mudras to connect the mind and body and to deepen our yoga practice.  Using Anjali Mudra when we say Namaste can help us connect to the intention of expressing respect and gratitude and also help us internalize the meaning and energy behind the word.

But, did you know that you could even say 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.

Although there is no wrong way to say Namaste, there is a time when you should not say it.  Keep reading to learn when we should forego using Namaste.

When Not To Say Namaste

While Namaste is a popular expression that many yogis use frequently, you should not feel obligated to use it if doing so makes you uncomfortable.  Just like your body might not be ready to transition into a challenging yoga pose, your mind might not be ready to say Namaste.  When we say things like ‘Thank you,’ ‘I appreciate you,’ ‘I respect you’ and ‘I honor you’ we are essentially saying the same thing. 

Only you can decide if incorporating Namaste in to your practice and interactions with others makes sense.  You can most certainly convey the intention behind Namaste without ever speaking the word, if you so choose.

Honor yourself, and meet yourself where you are. If and when you’re ready to say Namaste, you’ll know.

Are you new to yoga? There are lots of amazing classes that are perfect for beginners, like Yoga Basics, All Levels Yoga, Stretch & Strengthen and more… TEXT me if you are located in Homestead Florida (786)267-1203