What does 'Namaste' mean?

What does Namaste mean? (Pronounced "na-ma-stay" saying the a's like in mama.) You hear it at every yoga class and sometimes when people are simply talking about yoga. It is a very common term and often used to promote anything yoga.

At the end of a class this greeting would be said having your palms together in the center of your chest (prayer position) or palms pressed in front of the center of your forehead (considered your third eye - the one that sees inside you).

In a simple form it is a greeting of honor. Honoring not only the person you are greeting but also honoring what is within them. It is a greeting of acceptance of who they are and who you are, and that we all are part of the same universe.

Another version: I honor the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honor the place in you which is of Love, of Integrity, of Wisdom and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One.

I think that that place inside of us is sometimes pushed aside while we are trying to keep up with all that life has in store for us. We all possess love, integrity, wisdom and peace. When we feel at peace within ourselves we are more able to live a meaningful life.

This is my version of the meaning of Namaste: I honor the place inside you where peace resides. I offer peace to you and peace to where we are in the universe, whether it be in a yoga studio, at home or wherever we may be passing through each others' lives.

By honoring where people are in their lives and accepting them as they are, we promote a more peaceful relationship. If every yoga student passes some peace on to just one person, imagine the peace we can spread!

I always end a yoga class with a Namaste. I want people to absorb all the positive energy in our studio (which I talk about during our relaxation) and then take my wish for peace and acceptance with them when they leave. After you practice some basic yoga poses rest in Savasana, then honor youself with a "Namaste".