Namaste! ...what was that again?

Namaste (devanagari नमस्ते):

Use: used as a salutation; a greeting or goodbye

Translation: a derivative of the verb namati, which means “(she or he) bends, bows"

Meaning: regardless of who or what we are, I honor or acknowledge the divinity within you.

Yoga (yog योग):

Use: movement that unites the mind, body, and breath to improve health and well-being

Translation: from the root word yuj (युज्) meaning to join (although written as "yog" in India, in the US we call it "yoga")

Meaning: a practice seeking to unite the body, mind, and spirit

Meditation (dhyāna ध्यान):

Use: the deliberate focusing of attention to bring about feelings of calm and heightened energy and awareness

Translation: from the root word dhi, which means "imaginative vision"

Meaning: a practice seeking contemplation or reflection

Mantra (Mananāt trāyatē iti mantrah मंत्र):

Use: tool for the mind to restrain our thoughts and bring positivity to our lives through affirmations; words that have meaning or power

Translation: from the root words manas meaning 'mind' and tra meaning 'tool

Meaning: depending on the words used, it can have many different meanings. A well known one is "Om Shanti, Shanti, Shantihi" which means "peace for all of mankind" and it is chanted 3 times for the body, mind and spirit.

Mudra (mudra मुद्रा):

Use: a tool to increase pranic energy through touch

Translation: a gesture, attitude, or seal

Meaning: depending on the gesture used, it can have many different meanings. A well known one for knowledge is gyan mudra. The thumb and index fingertips touch and the other fingers are extended. In this gesture, the pointer finger transfers prana to the thumb and stomach (thumb = long median, pointer = longest meridian.)