President Obama offering respects while on a
visit to India.
visit to India.
Most Hatha yoga teachers begin and or end their classes in this same way. Ideally, Namaste should be demonstrated both at the beginning and also at the end of
class. This lovely practise is the perfect way to finish a yoga class. The mind is less
active and the energy in the room is more peaceful.
The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward the students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage.The hands pressed together at the heart centre is known as Anjali Mudra or Namaste hands. The head is also bowed as a sign of respect and humility.
Namaste is also used as a greeting but It is more than a form of greeting it has a very special significance, a spiritual purpose and meaning.
The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward the students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage.The hands pressed together at the heart centre is known as Anjali Mudra or Namaste hands. The head is also bowed as a sign of respect and humility.
Namaste is also used as a greeting but It is more than a form of greeting it has a very special significance, a spiritual purpose and meaning.
Here's a nice explanation of the meaning of Namaste.
Namaste
The gesture Namaste simply acknowledges the truth that there is a Divine spark within each of us. The gesture is an
acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. Nama means bow, as means I, and te means you. Therefore, mamaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."
In the West we greet people by shaking hands. Displaying a sense of goodwill and friendship in that way.
Different cultures use their own unique forms of greeting like, namaste or anjali mudra, shaking hands, what ever the form of communication or gesture maybe, when a person connects with another, their comfort level increases.
A greeting from a friend for instance, or a family member may bring back happy memories. Also, if we follow social psychology, we become aware of the many benefits that result in the body and mind when we feel accepted or understood by another person.
Even though one may think that a deep conversation can have these effects, the simple truth is that a gesture like namaste, a hand shake or even more so a hug creates those feelings of acceptance and compassion that can sometimes be difficult to find in our modern world.
Thus, when we experience these things, we become more relaxed, happier, our attitude tends to improve. As a direct result of these things, our heart rate becomes more relaxed and over a period of time, lower heart rates and increased time spent being happy can actually lower blood pressure and have a very beneficial effect on heart health.
A greeting from a friend for instance, or a family member may bring back happy memories. Also, if we follow social psychology, we become aware of the many benefits that result in the body and mind when we feel accepted or understood by another person.
Even though one may think that a deep conversation can have these effects, the simple truth is that a gesture like namaste, a hand shake or even more so a hug creates those feelings of acceptance and compassion that can sometimes be difficult to find in our modern world.
Thus, when we experience these things, we become more relaxed, happier, our attitude tends to improve. As a direct result of these things, our heart rate becomes more relaxed and over a period of time, lower heart rates and increased time spent being happy can actually lower blood pressure and have a very beneficial effect on heart health.
