Do you know the meaning of namaste? This article will provide you with all the information you need on the word namaste!
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Kevin
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January 29, 2022
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Common Questions
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The word namaste comes from Sanskrit. This term roughly translates to “The Divine in me honors the Divine in you.” Some people also say that the word namaste translates to “the light within me honors the light within you.”
In Sanskrit, the word nama translates to bow. The word as means I, and the word te means you. Literally translated, namaste can be taken to mean “I bow to you.” This greeting acknowledges the soul in another person from the belief in Hinduism that God resides in everyone.
While the correct pronunciation of namaste is nuh-MUH-stheh, the American English pronunciation is nah-mah-STAY.
Many times, words from other languages are used in English. Sometimes, these words are not direct translations but altogether take on a new meaning. Other times, they are used for direct translation.
There is a fine line between cultural appropriation and appreciation. You might be concerned about appropriating a culture by using a certain word. When in doubt, try to do your research on the origin of a word and whether it’s offensive in the context you’re considering.
How Is Namaste Used in Yoga Classes?
The term namaste is commonly used at the end of yoga classes as a farewell greeting. This is often used in connection with the hands of prayer, known as the Anjali mudra, pronounced UHN-jah-lee MOO-dra.
This comes from the word anj in Sanskrit, meaning to celebrate or honor. In Sanskrit, the word mudra translates to the word gesture. Therefore, this is an honorable gesture.
The full gesture of the Anjali mudra is to press the hands together with the palms facing and fingers facing up in a prayer position. Place your thumbs at the height of the breastbone or heart chakra, close your eyes, and bow your head.
You can also place the thumbs at the third eye chakra. Yoga students and teachers can use namaste during a yoga practice but should be sensitive toward its Sanskrit origins.
Have respect for the phrase, and say namaste to show gratitude, not just in closing a class.
Other Uses of Namaste
In South Asia, namaste and namaskar are very formal and used as a salutation when you greet an elder, teacher, or honorable person. Namaskar is similar to namaste but is often used to greet people who are very highly respected or who hold spiritual significance.
This is very different from how it is used in America or in other places where yoga is practiced outside of South Asia. Sometimes, this word becomes co-opted or used as slang, which can be considered offensive, especially when put on garments in pulley phrases such as “Nama-Slay” or “Nama-Stay in Bed.”
Other Terminology in Yoga
You might hear many Sanskrit terms in a yoga class or yoga practice. Many of these words might seem difficult to learn. You will absorb them over time by taking more yoga classes and studying the Sanskrit language.
Take a look at these Sanskrit terms and see how many you recognize:
- Nadi – The energy channels through which prana or life force flows
- Sundar (सुन्दर) – Beautiful or Attractive
- Asana (आसन ) – Seat or Pose
- Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward Dog
- Vinyasa – Movement linked with breath
- Mantra – Word or Phrase Repeated
- Balak (बालक) – Boy
- Pranayama – Breathing Exercises
- Yoga (योग) – The divine union of the mind, body, and spirit
- Prajna (प्रज्ञा) – Wisdom
- Patanjali – A Sage who compiled the Yoga Sutras
- Savasana – Corpse Pose
- Rachnatmak (रचनात्मक) – Great Creativity
- Surya Namaskar – Sun salutations
- Sukha (सुख) – Happiness
- Chakra – Wheel
- Karma (कर्म) – The Cause And Effect Of Our Actions
- Shanti (शांति) – Peace
- Bhakti (भक्ति) – Devotion
- Jnana (ज्ञान) – Spiritual Knowledge
- Agni (अग्नि) – Fire
- Asha (आशा) – Hope
- Mudra – Hand Position
- Balika (बालिका) – Girl
- Ananda (आनन्द) – Bliss
- Ujjayi – Victorious Breath
- Satya (सत्य) – Truthfulness
- Srishti – Focal Point
- Prakriti (प्रकृति) – THe Primal Nature of a Being
- Maya (माया) – Moksha (मोक्ष) – The Final Enlightenment
- Pratyahara (प्रत्याहार) – Withdrawal of Senses
- Bandha – Internal muscular ‘locks’
- Prana (प्राण) – Life Force
- Yoga Nidra – Yogic Sleep
- Shanti – Peace
- Hatha – Yoga for the Physical Body
- Chaturanga – Four limbed staff pose or low plank
- Guru (गुरु) – Teacher
- Atman (आत्मन्) – The Universal Self
- Om (ॐ) – The original sound
How Can the Word Namaste Be Used in a Sentence?
In the west, namaste is most often used as a farewell greeting or closing to a yoga class. In Eastern Asian countries like India, this word is used as a formal, polite greeting.
Take a look at these example sentences and see which ones might be more common in western versus eastern Asia countries:
Namaste, Professor. I hope the day is treating you well.
Thank you all for honoring me with a great yoga class. I am so grateful for each one of you. Namaste.
Namaste, grandma. How are you?
Conclusion
Overall, the word namaste is a Sanskrit word that roughly translates to “the Divine in me honors the Divine in you” and literally translates to “I bow to you.”
Outside of South Asia, this phrase is often heard at the end of yoga classes as a farewell greeting. In India and South Asia, this phrase is often used to salute people you respect greatly.
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