The Meaning of Namaste…

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another.

Nama means Bow

Is means As

te means You

So it actually means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”

Namaste gesture when saluting:

Place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head.

It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart.

From my perspective I like to take my hands in front of my third eye ( forehead), bowing my head and then I close the salute with my hands connecting to my heart because it feels when increases the flow of Divine Honor and Respect, being these last two part of the Army Values, an important code within the military community.

This is an especially deep form of respect, that reinforces connection with others, in other words Union which is the main definition and intention of a Yoga practice.

Food for thoughts:

Although in the West the word “namaste” is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.