I spent last week in Mexico co-facilitating a yoga retreat at Prana Del Mar. I do not speak Spanish and for as many times I have traveled to Mexico, there is no excuse that I have not learned much beyond “gracias” and “buenos dias”. Every year prior to traveling I download a few podcasts and try to pick up a phrase or two. I tell myself that my brain seems to not have the capacity to learn another language, but that is just an excuse.

There are some words and phrases in languages that simply cannot be translated to English, the intricacies and the layers will not be able to convey the true meaning. In Spanish there is a phrase “más o menos”, which roughly translated means “more or less”. While we were learning about the moon and the stars with our guide here at Prana in Mexico, he would use this phrase to try to answer in English the many questions we were firing off at him. Language can be complicated.

Another language that I partially use is Sanskrit, considered to be the language of yoga. I have been taught the words and phrases and I try to context them into classes I teach in a way that feels authentic and inclusive. That could show up like saying a pose in the traditional Sanskrit, “Tadasana” and then immediately saying the more common English translation “Mountain Pose”. Throughout the pandemic I taught yoga online exclusively. I encountered more than one moment where I begin to question the use of Sanskrit at all, particularly the use of “namaste” to end a class. I have had some conversations with friends and other yoga teachers and students about it, listened to some podcasts, joined a discussion group online, and read a book titled Embrace Yoga’s Roots where the author Susan Bartataki (thanks Deb W) is of Indian descent and does a great job of presenting plenty for us white American yoga teachers to think about. Are we guilty of cultural appropriation?

At the end of a yoga class a teacher might ask you to place your hands to your heart, bow your head, and offer the word “Namaste” that you would then repeat back to them. I have been closing my class the exact way for many years. Yoga is about noticing our patterns and shining light to things that need your attention. I decided to run an experiment here on this retreat. My experiment was to offer everyone the opportunity to close their practice in a way the resonated with them. Does it matter if their hands are together in front of their heart? Not at all. Just like it does not matter if they say the word “Namaste”. They could easily replace the word with “Thank You”, “Peace”, or simply silence. All of which I offered as ideas to end class.

You know what happened? There was this totally awkward moment, followed by over half the room saying “Namaste” anyway.

You know what it felt like? Unfinished, empty, lack of connection.

Namaste is derived from two key Sanskrit words:
Namah: bow, adoration, salutation
Te: to you

The most literal translation of Namaste is “I bow to you,” but there are many different interpretations of the word. For my teaching partner Jessica who lived in Nepal for 6 months, Namaste was a greeting. It feels ludicrous to her to be saying “Hello” at the end of class when we are really saying thank you and good-bye.

So what is it that I really want to say? That I am so grateful. I am grateful for this practice that has allowed me to become more mindful, to allow the opportunity to be curious about how my body moves in space, that I am part of something much larger than just myself, and I am humbled to be able to share it. And how do I want people to feel? I want people to be reminded that we are all human, that kindness matters, and that coming together in community is important….más o menos.

So is it cultural appropriate if I decide to keep ending class with Namaste? I am not sure. But I think it is important to ask the questions and have the conversations. Language and interpretation can be tricky.

One of the ways we can pay closer attention to language and how we use it is to write or journal. Join me and my dear friend Tracy Bleier on Friday June 18th from 6-7:15p at yogaview Wilmette to explore a bit of movement and some journal prompts. We titled the workshop Summer Ease……to celebrate the summer solstice. Click HERE to sign up.

Lastly, I am offering an extra class this week Monday, Memorial Day from 8-9a VIRTUALLY and IN STUDIO at yogaview. Join me to close the month together.

Xoxo
JK