Anjali Mudra

When you see folk come to anjali mudra, it is also Namaskara. The position isn't flat. It is slightly rounded as if you are holding a lotus flower between your palms symbolically. The lotus has been a symbol of purity since before the time of the Buddha, and it blooms profusely in Buddhist art and literature. Its roots are in muddy water, but the lotus flower rises above the mud to bloom clean and fragrant. Anjali mudra is a reminder of this to one's self.

Namaskaram is a Sanskrit word that means greetings1 or I bow to you2. It is a form of salutation and respect in Hinduism3 and the Yogic culture2. It is expressed by joining hands and smiling4, and it implies the recognition of the divinity in oneself and others2namaskaram meaning - Search (bing.com)

Namaste is different. It has been heavily popularied in yoga classes. Do people really know what they are saying in another person's language and culture?

At the base level, namasté is a salutation of respect and reverence. A traditional Indian greeting, it literally translates to “I bow to you” (namah or namas, meaning bow, te meaning you).

In India, the gesture of Anjali Mudra (prayer position of the hands) not only accompanies the word, but is synonymous with its meaning. People passing on the street, family members greeting one another, children acknowledging their elders, and strangers meeting for the first time all join their palms together and bow their heads in respect of one another. What Is The Meaning Of Namasté? (chopra.com) Although I feel after teaching a yoga class that folk mostly feel this, I do feel a bunch are just going through the motions to of what they are supposed to say but not really knowing about the rich culture these words come from. Namaste is definitely for temple spaces. Whereas Namskaram is greeting perhaps more with respect to another on the street or in passing conversation. I feel in many ways saying Namaskaram is perhaps more appropriate after a yoga class because not all folk going to yoga are really wanting to take it in as a temple space.

One of the most common translations of namasté is “The divine light in me bows to the divine light within you.” As long as intentions are honest and pure, saying namaste is genuine and not a westernized programming of what you just simply say after a yoga class. It is best to not rape from someone else's culture right.