In Hindu culture, namaste is both a gesture and a greeting. Yoga practitioners will recognize the word and accompanying gesture as a regular part of their classes, usually occurring at the end of a session. In yoga, namaste expresses respect and gratitude, as well as a mutual acknowledgment by teacher and students of the divinity residing in all of them.
Identification
In the Hindi language, the word "namaste" derives from the words "nama," or bow; "as," or I; and "te," or you. Therefore, namaste translates to the greeting, "I bow to you," according to "Yoga Journal." Namaste also has been translated as "The divine within me honors the divine within you." Still other translations of namaste use the same phrase but substitute "light" or "spirit" for divine.
Theories/Speculation
Yoga teacher Aadil Palkhivala, writing in "Yoga Journal," states that the gesture namaste represents the Hindu belief that a divine spark resides in the heart chakra within each person. The greeting and accompanying gesture by yoga practitioners represent a mutual acknowledgment of that spark.
Features
When yoga instructors and students perform namaste, they place their hands together in a prayerlike position, with palms facing each other and fingers pointed upward. They then close their eyes and bow their heads slightly while saying "Namaste." Palkhivala says that ideally, namaste should be done at the beginning and end of a yoga class. However, it usually takes place at the end of a class because of the more peaceful energy that is present in the room. A variation of the gesture involves placing the hands above the head.
Function
Namaste is a deep expression of respect, says Palkhivala, adding that yoga teachers initiate the gesture and greeting as a symbol of gratitude and respect, which the students return at the close of a yoga class. You also can perform namaste to yourself as a meditation technique to delve deeper into the heart chakra.
Geography
In the West, yoga teachers and students perform namaste with the gesture and the greeting. In India, however, the verbal expression is unnecessary, as the meaning of the gesture is widely understood.
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