Na – ma – ste.
Three little syllables that close our yoga class. I like to open arms up wide to the sky, draw the palms together, touch them to the forehead, then the heart-centre and then bow to the class. A gesture of respect, of peace and of thanks.
There are lots of translations of Namaste – from a simple ‘hello’, to the literal ‘I bow to you,’ to the elaborate (deep breath) “I honour the place in you in which the entire Universe dwells, I honour the place in you which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are One.”
I like to think of it as ‘The best in me salutes all that is the best in you.’
The meaning of Namaste is a recognition that we are all equal; we are all teachers, and all students, always. Not just in class, but out in the world, with everyone we meet and connect with on whatever level.
As we open our arms up to the sky we invite energy and life to fill us;
by bringing the palms together, we signify gratitude to the Universe, to the energy that is bigger than us all;
by drawing this to our foreheads, we bring attention to our thoughts – and welcome the possibility of true clarity;
by drawing the prayer to our chest, we bring attention to our feelings and welcome gratitude and compassion to our hearts;
in bowing we recognise and respect all that is good and brilliant and miraculous in each and every one of us – ourselves included.
All in one little word.
The meaning of Namaste is giving thanks for all that each and every experience brings us – the good and the bad. It is recognising the connection between ourselves, each other and the wider Universe. It is recognition of our own innate brilliance.
Humbling and exalting in equal measure!
Say it like you mean it. See how taking the spirit and intention of Namaste out into the world and all our daily interactions can open up our communication, our generosity and our understanding.
I consider myself extremely lucky that I get to share yoga every day. But we all can – live yoga, be yoga. It opens you up to more YES, more LOVE and more JOY.
In the truest possible sense, to each one of you…Namaste.
xoxo lucyogini