Namaste

I say it at the end of every class as do so many yoga teachers, but what does it really mean?

Namaste is Sanskrit. Breaking it down piece by piece:

Nama = bow
as = I
te = you

So "Namaste" literally means "Bow I you" or "I bow to you". If you delve deeply into its meaning you'll find all kinds of religious symbolism, mostly from Hinduism. I've seen it translated as I bow to the soul, the divine, the spirit, the God, and even the Universe in you. But being a mother of three small children, the best translation I've read is from a children's yoga book: "I bow to the good in you."

Say Namaste everyday
To the good in you and the good in me
Say Namaste everyday
And the world will live in harmony
- Sydney Solis

Regardless of your religious affiliations or non-religious affiliations, I hope we can all agree that within each individual there is good. I respect and am grateful for that good. I respect and am grateful that you are my student. Without you, I would not be a teacher.

And so I say, Namaste!

-gretch

Read more at
http://www.yogajournal.com/basics/822