Namaste Yoga is a popular form of yoga, often seen on exercise and fitness DVDs in different stores that offer exercise videos. Since the word “yoga” is fairly commonplace, most people wonder what the word “Namaste” means and how does it make this form of yoga different?

Well, in order to understand what Namaste yoga is one need to realize that not all systems of yoga are identical. Just because there are different styles and types of yoga does not mean that one version of yoga is better than another since it’s better to let each student decide which version is right for them.

Since there are so many different schools of yoga, the term “Namaste” allows students to recognize one form of Namaste Yoga over another.

What Namaste Means

Since the word “Namaste” means “I bow to you” in India, it describes this type of yoga. Since the start of Namaste yoga begins with the student putting their hands together in a steeple position and bowing at the same time, the saying of Namaste is a good description. At the beginning and end of the class, the word “Namaste” is spoken by the students in order to emphasize its purposes. As it connects the western students to the ancient roots and spiritual base of the yoga artform, saying the word “Namaste” at the beginning and end is an interesting addition.

In terms of a particular school of Namaste Yoga, most of the exercise videos on the subject seem to be a collection of basic yoga exercises. Since many of these basic exercises do not need an instructor’s help, they will just show the indivudal how they can learn to study yoga on their own. You should use an instructor to truly master the Namaste yoga form, but using a DVD can help you to understand some of the basic moves before your first meeting.

Yoga is an excellent form of exercise and those looking to take part in it for physical benefit are making a wise choice. However, as the term Namaste infers, there are a number of historical and cultural aspects to the art that should be learned as well.