When you come to a yoga class for the very first time you may notice that people around you put their hands in a prayer gesture, bow and say “Namaste.” If you’re trying to understand the meaning of Namaste then this article is for you.
First of all let me tell you this: you don’t have to repeat this gesture if you don’t understand the meaning of Namaste. But after reading this article you can decide whether you resonate with these actions or you don’t.
What is the meaning of Namaste?
‘Namah’ means ‘bow’ and ‘te’ means ‘you’. Consequently, we can translate ‘Namaste’ as ‘I bow to you’, or rather, ‘I greet the divine beginning in you and bow to you’.
This gesture embodies the belief that there is a divine beginning in every person and it is located in the heart chakra. Therefore, if you respect a person, wish him good, sincerely thank him, you can demonstrate all these feelings with just one gesture.
How to make the Namaste gesture?
To perform Namaste, bring your hands together at the level of the heart chakra, close your eyes and bow your head. Optionally, you can place your hands together in front of your Third Eye Chakra (between eyebrows).
Many spiritual teachers and yoga instructors recommended to start and end any spiritual practice with this gesture.
How does it work?
By putting hands together in the chest area (Heart Chakra), we increase the flow of divine love. When we closing our eyes, we increase our concentration. By tilting our head, we are kneeling before the Divine within us.
Practicing meditation with hands in Namaste, we feel a stronger connection with the Heart chakra. Expressing gratitude to other people with the help of Namaste, we practice instant meditation, which has a cumulative effect.
Namaste plays a special role in the relationship between the teacher and the student: it helps to establish a connection between them, to exchange energy, it is easier to understand each other.
Psychologists say that the hands folded on the chest area create a protective barrier that protects us from the invasion of negative energy. Making a gesture of Namaste, we are closing our aura.
In addition, Namaste can give the following effects:
- helps us to focus;
- concentrate our attention;
- protects our spiritual nature;
- turns us into our subconscious mind;
- humbles our pride;
- helps to feel harmony;
- sharpens our intuition.
The Bottom Line
Now you know what mighty power is hidden in the word Namaste and gesture. As I already said you don’t have to practice Namaste if you don’t feel like it. But if you feel a resonance with Namaste, then it can become a beautiful ritual that you can practice it with your family and friends. Namaste!