Namaste is a gesture with deep meaning. Namaste represents the belief that within each of us lies a spark of the Divine, which is located in the heart chakra.

The movement referred to as Namaste is a type of formal recognition of this spark in another. The first part, “Nama” means to bow. The second part, “as” means I and the final “te” means you.

To perform Namaste, palce your hands together at the level of your heart, close your eyes, and bow your head. Namaste can also be performed by positioning your hands together at the brow chakra, then lowering them to the heart chakra. This second form of Namaste is a particularly deep expression of respect.

In India, the gesture of Namaste is all that is required to express this recognition and respect, whereas in the West, oftentimes people will say the word while performing the gesture.

What do the individual movements involved in Namaste represent?

When you bring your hands together at the heart chakra you are increasing the flow of Divine Love. When your eyes are closed and your head bowed, this is surrendering the ego to the Divine Love found in the heart.

You can perform Namaste with yourself, to resonate with the Divine or delve deeper into the heart chakra and its energy. You can perform Namaste with another person to form an energetic connection. The more feeling and mindfulness that you put into the gesture, the deeper the spiritual union that may bloom.