Why I Say Namaste

We repeat Namaste to one another time and time again in our yoga classes, but have you ever wondered what Namaste means?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition is: “I bow to you - used as a respectful greeting in India.”

Wikipedia describes it as “a customary, non-contact form of respectfully greeting and honoring the opposite person or group, used at any time of day.”

While Namaste is derived from the Sanskrit root word Namaskar, simply meaning salutations, the connotation of the word carries far more depth and reverence than merely saying hello or goodbye.

In my view, the theme of Namaste is to pay one another respect - which is something that we are lacking now in our chaotic and disconnected society. As we witness polarity and separation between ‘us’ and ‘them’ - as we begin to feel more separate, less or better than - or as we identify with external things rather than looking inward - our true nature suffers.

This increasingly popular greeting could be the thing that the world needs now. After every meditation I record or class I teach, I hold my hands in prayer and end with Namaste. Why? To acknowledge those who have taken the time to join me and take care of themselves with the practice of yoga. Yoga is an opportunity to dig deeper into the intention and meaning behind what you say, what you do, and how you move through this world.  

When you bow your head and say Namaste at the end of a yoga practice, you have the chance to do more than simply mark the ending of the session. You are saying that you  see others. My personal message I want to portray through Namaste is, “I see myself in you and honor the light we both share.”

Namaste presents the idea that we are all connected. It affirms that underneath the surface of differing appearance, we are made of the same stuff. We are more the same than we are different and the intention is to share energy in a positive and healing manner - identifying with one another as we walk on this path we call life.

By Julie Bertagna; All Rights Reserved @2021

By Julie Bertagna; All Rights Reserved @2021