What does "Namaste" mean?

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that

there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located

in the heart chakra.

The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul

in one by the soul in another.

"Nama" means bow,

"as" means I, and

"te" means you.

Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."

To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka,

close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands

together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then

bringing the hands down to the heart.

This is an especially deep form of respect.

Although in the West the word "Namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction

with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste,

and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.

We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of

Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind

surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a

meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra;

when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.

For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together

energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of

ego-connection.

If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered,

a deep union of spirits can blossom.

Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class.

Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and

the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste

as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers

and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage,

thereby allowing the truth to flow — the truth that we are all one

when we live from the heart.