By Jennifer Clawson, RYT
At the end of a yoga class, many teachers place their hands together and say, “Namaste.” Often, new students ask me what it means.
“Namaste” is a Sanskrit word that translates to, “The light in me honors the light in you.” It is an acknowledgement that we are more than our bodies. It is a greeting from one heart to another, and an appreciation of that divine spark within all of us.
Placing the palms together at the center of the chest forms anjali mudra (also called prayer position.) Mudras are hand positions used in yoga to express various states of mind. Anjali mudra is used as a salutation. When a teacher (or anyone) makes anjali mudra, bows the head, and says “Namaste,” she is honoring her students. It is customary for the class to respond in like manner.
Posted on February 27, 2009
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