Why I Don't Say Namaste

“Namaste.”

Such a small word, such a big controversy.

If you’re a yoga teacher or student, you’re likely familiar with the word and its translation of “The divine light in me bows to the divine light within you.” You may have also heard debates about whether it’s ok to say Namaste.

As a yoga teacher of South Asian descent, I constantly get asked whether it’s culturally appropriate for non-South Asians to say Namaste and alternate ways to end a yoga class.

The truth is that it makes me feel deeply uncomfortable.

In this short video, I explain why I don’t say Namaste and what I say instead.