It looks like the number three with a hook growing from its backside, topped off with a dot and a slash above. The next time you come to the end of your yoga class, and you place your hands together over your heart, tune into the meaning of this word. Namaste is a Sanskrit word that is a combination of two words “namah” and “te.” Namah meaning bow, reverential salutation or adoration. In yoga, namaste means much more than just "I bow to you." Namaste Meaning According to the Yoga Journal, […] According to Yoga Journal, the actual translation for namaste breaks down to "nama," which means bow, "as," meaning I and then "te," which means you. If you use Namaste to end or begin your yoga classes, it is recommended to do with the utmost respect for Indian culture. Therefore, the direct translation of the word is "bow me you," or "I bow to you." Yogic Philosphy.

In some sense, Namaste has a rather formal, or at least spiritually serious, meaning and origin that can sometimes be lost in casual usage. If you practice yoga with a teacher, or practice along to a DVD series in the comfort of your own home, chances are the instructor concludes every practice with the saying, “Namaste”. Namaste is commonly connected with the symbol of om.If you’ve ever been to a yoga shop, you’ve probably seen plenty of t-shirts with this symbol. It is a way to honor ourselves and the world we live in. Namaste. Namaste beyond the yoga studio. Yoga originated in India, and Tarkeshi explains that the names for all the traditional poses are sanskrit terms. Namaste.

Karson McGinley is the founder of Happy-U Yoga (a Holistic Approach to Positive Psychology & Yoga), based in San Diego.

Te, on the other hand, means ‘to you.’ Namaste, therefore, translates to ‘I bow to you’ in literal terms. Saying Namaste at the conclusion of class is such a ritual, you may never have actually stopped to think about what that word really means—plus how it can shape your yoga … Say it for yourself, say it for the person next to you, say it for everyone in your life. The word ends our practice but whether we say it or not, the practice of yoga is the embodiment of the word’s meaning. It might leave you wondering what this much-used piece of yoga lingo actually means… 1.