Why it’s OK to say ‘namaste’ in yoga class

In a polarized world, the greeting may be an acknowledgment of our interconnectedness.

By: Jeremy David Engels, Penn State, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 23, 2026

Words: 1,120

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Jeremy David Engels, Penn State

“Namaste,” a common greeting in India and South Asia, has become a global cultural phenomenon – the word appears everywhere, from wellness retreats to political events to pop culture.

In many yoga classes in North America and Europe, it is a ritual to end practice by saying “namaste,” which means, in global yoga culture, something like “the divine in me bows to the divine in you.”

This tradition is …

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