There's been quite a conversation about this word in 'the Yoga world'.
Namaste.
Let's start with what it means...
Namaha = Bowing, respect, recognition
Te = Here, You (plural)
If you're a regular Yoga go-er, you might have seen or experienced this word being used with the Anjali Mudra - bringing your hands together in front of your heart and bowing your head.
Is it appropriate?
It is disrespectful?
I've used this at the end of classes.
I've stopped using it at the end of classes.
I've considered (and talked about) why I am, and aren't, using it.
And also that I don't like the word 'using'.
Inspired by a recent lesson with @amipatelwellbeing and @albayogaacademy, I'm once again feeling connected to inviting my classes to close by bringing our hands together in front of the heart, holding gratitude and love within this space, and gently bowing our heads to our hearts as we (if it feels right to you) say 'Namaste'.
Why use the word Namaste and take Anjali Mudra?
It feels like a beautiful moment to pause and honour the practice and the feelings it evokes for myself, my classes and the people I meet through it.
I quietly thank my class for being there, my past self, my present self, Yoga teachers I've experienced classes with and acknowledge how grateful I am to share Yoga with others.
Maybe you'd like to consider the gesture and/or word as an offering of love to yourself, a thank you to your mind and body for meeting yourself on your mat. It might feel right to you to extend this offering to those in the room for being a part of your practice too.
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