The meaning of Namaste
Namaste in yoga is a greeting that means “the light in me sees or honours the light in you.”
It recognises that we are all human, and that beneath all our roles and differences, there’s a shared essence of awareness, goodness and consciousness.
When we acknowledge others with respect and presence, the brain releases oxytocin, lowering stress and strengthening connection between us through an expression of gratitude.
In practice, Namaste is a small ritual of humility. You bow slightly, hands at the heart, signaling, “I see you, I respect you, and I recognise our shared humanity.”
Where did it originate from?
The term Namaste comes from Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages of India. It’s formed from two parts: namaḥ meaning “bow” and te meaning “to you.” So its literal translation is “I bow to you.”
The term originated in ancient Vedic culture as a respectful greeting, used both socially and spiritually. Over time, it became woven into yogic philosophy because it expresses a core idea of yoga: recognising the shared goodness in one another.
“A gift is pure when it is given from the heart… when we expect nothing in return.” – Bhagavad Gita
Namaste is a word that carries thousands of years of cultural history and a gesture that reflects humility, connection, and mutual respect. A wonderful way to end a yoga class or guided mediation.
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