It´s that point at the end of the class that the teacher harps on about something or other, the importance of having a lay down at the end of class then ends with this gobbledygook saying that you can never quite catch, with some weird hand gesture, then a load of other people join in to do the same in return. What is that all about and what does it mean?!

I admit, i used to be one of those people who attended class then ended joining in the return salutation and never quite understood what it meant.

Namaste is a Hindi term and it´s a common greeting practiced by bringing the palms together at the chest (Añjali Mudrā) and bowing the head.

There are many meanings that are interpreted by this practice but essentially it comes from the belief that we all contain a shining light or spark within us that is located at the heart chakra. Aadil Palkhivala breaks this down for us:

“Nama” means bow, “as” means I, and “te” means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”

By bringing the palms together at the chest, it´s sealing that universal power, and lowering the head and gaze demonstrates us surrendering to the divine in our heart. It observes the other individual as carriers of pure and divine light, and banishes ego holding no presumptions about who they are, or observing any heirarchy or what someone represents, instead accepting them as another gorgeous being. And we are all connected and equal, each carrying our own spark and connecting to make a single glorious beam as one.

Namaste!