What does it mean, this fancypants word that yogis throw out here and there?
On the one hand it is a common greeting in many parts of Asia. On the other, it has a specific significance. In the ashram in Nepal we had a poster on the wall that said something like the divine in me recognises and bows to the divine in you. The gesture of the hands in front of the heart and a bow is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. In Sanskrit the word is namah + te = namaste, which means “I bow to you”.
It’s a message of recognition, respect and equality. A pretty nice way of saying hello if you ask me.