WHAT DOES NAMASTE? ACTUALLY MEAN?

After every yoga class, the yoga teacher bows and says goodbye with the word "Namaste" - and all the students do the same. But what does "Namaste" actually stand for - what meaning does it have?

Namaste is Sanskrit and means "I bow to you". OK. During our research we came across the following quote from an English family who lived in India for many years: "They explained to my younger sister, brother and me that it is polite to say Namaste to older people.  In India  the word is the equivalent of hello, but with a more respectful tone. If we don't say the word, we are not considered good children."

That brings us a little further. So while we were researching, we noticed how the use of Namaste differs. In India, the country where the word comes from, it is a very common word and is used as a greeting (eg when you go into a shop), whereas in western yoga classes it is very spiritually charged.

Now let us focus again on the Namaste after the yoga class. "I bow to you." This is a very respectful gesture that you show to others, but also to yourself. And it is also said that at the end of the class you should  you should thank yourself for taking the time for yourself and your yoga practice. A nice thought, because that is what makes Namaste very special. 

For us, Namaste is more than a greeting. It is a word combined with a gesture and a message that you give to other people, but also to yourself. Gratitude, politeness and humility are values ​​that are often lost in our stressful and noisy world. 

We recommend: Bow more often to your fellow human beings, but above all to yourself and your life – you deserve it. SO: Namaste.