You may have heard this word if you are doing yoga or meditation and you might ask what does namaste means? What is the spiritual meaning of namaste? In this article, we are going to answer these questions.

What is the origin of Namaste?

First of all, Namaste is a greeting that is traditional in India. This greeting is combined with a corresponding gesture which is the hands pressed against the chest, palms facing each other, and a little bowing head. In India, this gesture is common for everyone.

The word’s origins are a combination of two Sanskrit: “Namah” which means “I bow respectfully to you” and “Aste” which means “let there be”. However, this translation is not as important as the spiritual greeting that comes with it. This gesture has to be executed with grace, humility, and deep respect. This greeting is really popular all over India and it is used in many different places like academies, enterprises, and businesses.

What about the meaning of Namaste?

In India, Namaste is a salutation, an easy way to say hello and offer good wishes. It requires no touching and it can be used by everyone to greet someone.

Moreover, Namaste also has a deep spiritual meaning. This word acts as a connection between two persons. When it is performed in this way, Namaste becomes more than a normal greeting or a polite custom, it becomes a spiritual connection between persons.

However, in different cultures, there are different ways to translate the word Namaste. First of all, this word is commonly used by yoga teachers to express many different things.

• ” I honor the place in you which is love, light, and peace” which is the most common translation of it.
• “I bow to the divine within you”.
• “We are one”.
• “The light that is in me honors the light that is in you”.

All of these translations are talking about peace and finding the best way to live freely with good mental health.

Namaste in yoga: a spiritual expression

Namaste is an expression that has been changed all over the years and over the practices. For example, in India, we say it at the beginning of a conversation to greet the people we meet, in yoga classes, the yoga teachers say namaste at the end of the class to say goodbye peacefully.

However, in yoga classes, Namaste is commonly used as a deep spiritual salutation. When you say it at the end of the yoga classes, it means that you pay homage to the connection and the divinity in you and everyone. Namaste, in this situation, means: “the light that is in me honors the light that is in you” which is a recognition of the divine aspect of the human soul. However, this expression is used as a spiritual greeting which explains that we are all equal as humans.

How to use namaste in your practice?

As we said, Namaste is a word filled with love, kindness, and happiness. When you say it, it encourages gratitude and love for yourself and the other person in front of you. It is also a mindful way to conclude a conversation, a yoga class, a practice, etc.

The Namaste word is more than a greeting or a conclusion to something, it expresses many different things. First of all, saying Namaste act as a reminder of peace, light, and a good mental state. However, many yoga teachers are wearing Namaste Jewelry in order to remind these objectives every time and everywhere. Moreover, it is recommended to write Namaste in your house in order to give you a space where it is warm, calm, and peaceful.

How to say Namaste properly and respectfully?

Saying Namaste is a form of meditation. When you say it, you have to be calm and peaceful. Just before saying it, focus on your body sensations and try to feel the presence of the other person in front of you. Moreover, take a moment to thank yourself and congrats yourself for all the hard work that you are doing. When you are ready, you can say Namaste.

Like every spiritual word, Namaste brings an entire spiritual and divine dimension with it. The more you will use it, the more you are going to notice that it influences everything around you including relationship and health.