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 is the meaning behind it?

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 ones. In India, the word is the equivalent of hello, but with a more respectful touch. If we don't say the word, they don't think we are good children."

That takes 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's a very common word and is used as a greeting (for example, when you go into a store), whereas in Western yoga classes it's very spiritually charged.

Now let's focus again on the Namaste after the yoga class. "I bow to you." It's a very respectful gesture that you give to others, but also to yourself. And, after all, it is said that at the end of the class you should also thank yourself for taking the time for yourself and your yoga practice. It's a beautiful thought, because that's 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 especially to yourself and your life - you deserve it. Namaste.