Monday

What does Namaste mean?

At the end of each yoga class most teachers bring their hands together in front of the heart, bow their head and say "Namaste" and the students bring their hands together and respond in kind. Have you ever wondered exactly what Namaste means? A good definition of Namaste would be "I bow to your true self". The true self might be seen as the deeper, more essential you, less connected to ego, social expectations and pretensions. So the exchange of Namaste at the end of class is a wonderful way to honor the true self in each of us, and recognize that all life is interrelated. For a more in depth explanation take a look at this piece in Wikipedia or a shorter piece in Yoga Journal.

18 comments:

Samir Raut said...

and did you know that you can use Namaste to greet ppl in large areas of south east Asia?

Unknown said...

it's not south east Asia ,its JUST south Asia ,to be precise in INDIA,NEPAL and wherever Hindus leave.
Its a Hindu tradition, and also widely practiced by Sikhs,jains, Buddhists trough out the world as well(for example, in Thailand they say "wie" which is a same posture as Namaste). so I may be called differently in various countries but it means the same.

Divi said...

hi Rachael,
well I couldn't have said it better! "The true self might be seen as the deeper, more essential you, less connected to ego, social expectations and pretensions. So the exchange of Namaste at the end of class is a wonderful way to honor the true self in each of us..."
I had a first-hand encounter with this truer part of myself. some might call it our Higher Self. in my case she is known as queen; that part of ourselves which is called our king or queen self who is not separate from us but more concerned with spiritual matters. when I looked for words to describe words it, I used unpretentious and uninhibited by social norms. my truer self knows things I didn't know about myself... or at least hadn't owned up to or been honest about. I think many people would be surprised by this part of themselves or maybe not recognize it at all! two of my friends helped me to access this part of myself. she communicates in thoughts and animations (like sign language) to others who understand what the banter is about. a truly remarkable experience! it taught me to search for and to be as authentic as I possibly can so that we can maintain a closer connection. some people already have this closer connection but I hadn't up until now.
Bette Midler in her song "Wind Beneath My Wings" talks about this truer/higher part of herself; her hero which I also think of this part of myself, because my queen part stuck up for me in a dilemma I was having. I thought we were to ignore our lower chakras in favour of the higher ones but she taught me how every chakra is important and necessary for our survival. Also, through this connection and my friends, I was able to find my Twin Soul who is not incarnated with me on Earth at this time... he's in an ethereal octave. but he's just as real as I am. I "talk" to him by way of "facade.com", Stichomancy, fine literature. I wish everyone success with doing this. Led Zeppelin's "Tangerine" is about his Twin Flame; and "Going To California" is about a trip to the Astral world to find his queen/Twin Soul. Namaste. Divi.

Unknown said...

I love to practice exercise, i think this activity is the best option to keep our total welfare and it is very fun. When we exercise frequently we can notice a change not only in our shape but in our mood too. Actually we can improve our sexual performance. When some cases when the erectil dysfunction present like a problem to buy viagra is a great alternative, how ever you must to combine it with exercises and a good food.

Unknown said...

I think I got it, then Namaste means something related to good vibes!
What a nice affair, In fact; i thought it was related somehow to Cheap Viagra.
Now you have clear my doubt, All I got to say left is, Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

I was interested know about it.
bondage porn video

Melany Flemmings said...

This is awesome! Many institutions limit access to their online information. Making this information available will be an asset to all. Thanks for your sharing.

downtown indianapolis hotels

SteveBrad said...

I admire the valuable information you provide in your articles. I'll mark your blog and see my friends here often. I'm sure you will learn many new things here than anyone else!
Caverta

Swami Shivananda Giri said...

Namaste and blessings to all!

I greet you with great love and great respect. In the tradition and lineage I represent when we say Namaste we mean, "The Light of God in me sees and recognizes itself in you!" I use it as a greeting as well as departure.

Unknown said...

Beautiful

Unknown said...

Beautiful

Unknown said...

We are all "Spiritual" in nature of one kind or another, but some of us either lack, or deny the ability to tap into this level of plain in order to truly know oneself. I am an ex substance misuser that abused heroin and crack/cocaine for well over 20yrs and came into recovery completely washed-up and spiritually bankrupt. Even now i have bad days, but how i connect with my innermost, positive self, of which then unleashes something internally making me feel good, is by helping other suffering addicts that have lost their way, hence showing them the way and helping them connect to a "power" greater than themselves. This method has been tried, tested and proven to work in the lives of countless recovering addicts in the world today..... Need help with a substance misuse addiction, fear no more and contact any drug helpline for your local and nearest Narcotics Anonymous meeting.. It works "IF" you work it, but recovery is an inside job and therefore can only come from within... Namaste guys!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Do you think Namaste is an appropriate departure expression to a sibling who has passed this life after a lifetime struggle with addiction
&whose liver became nonfunctional causing death!

nikkolayebba said...

I discovered your blog site on google and test a couple of of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the very good operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to studying more from you in a while!… slots for real money

monalisha biswal said...

Your blog article is really a good resource for everybody that wants to read a good blog. Your blog was absolutely fantastic in which there are great information about yogaTraining. Keep updating us with your blog.
Yoga teacher training in Rishikesh

ebru said...


Amatör Porno