స్త్రీలు సాష్టాంగ నమస్కారం చేకూడదు.

స + అష్ట + అంగ = సాష్టాంగ.
అనగా 8 అంగములతో నమస్కారం చేయడం. అలా నమస్కారం చేసే సమయంలో ఈ శ్లోకం చదవాలి.

శ్లో !! ఉరసా శిరసా దృష్ట్యా మనసా వచసా తథా !
పద్భ్యాం కరాభ్యాం కర్నాభ్యాం ప్రణామం సాష్టాంగ ఉచ్యతే !!

అష్టాంగాలు : ఉరసు అంటే తొడలు, శిరసు అంటే తల, దృష్టి అనగా కళ్ళు, మనసు అనగా హృదయం, వచసు అనగా నోరు, పద్భ్యాం - పాదములు, కరాభ్యాం - చేతులు, కర్నాభ్యాం - చెవులు.

బోర్లా పడుకుని పై శ్లోకం చదువుకుంటూ నమస్కరించి ఆయా అంగములు నెలకు తగిలించాలి.

స్త్రీలు సాష్టాంగ నమస్కారం చేకూడదు.

Namaskaram means complete surrender to the Lord. The mind of the Jiva (individual) generally "stands erect" like the stick. It is because of the hold of ego (Ahambava). If it is released from the hold of ego, it becomes humble. In such humble state, it experiences the highest pleasure (sukha). Lowering the body in performing namaskaram symbolises the release of the hold of ego from the mind.

Our body is just like a stick which is discarded and the energy or power to use it is given by God. So we must accept that God is the power behind our gross body and not feel proud that it is our own capacity. So the ego must be set aside and the body offered in prostration to God. Getting rid of the ego is the main objective. It is not easy for us to do it. So atleast when we prostrate before God, we must offer ourselves to Him completely. God helps us by taking responsibility for us.

When a man lowers his body and prostrates before another person whom he considers a saint, he also "pushes" a load off his mind as it were, in the belief that the other person will take care of that. Hence we do namaskarams to saints or Mahatmas. Namaha is sometimes itself interpreted as the meaning of "Na Mama" (not mine") – that is pushing away something as "not mine". A true namaskaram will always be in this attitude only. The greetings or namaskarams are more elaborate when one shows respect to older siblings, parents, elders, mahatmas and monks.

There are different kinds of “Namaskarams”

Ekaangam Head Bowing only by the Head

Dvidangam Head and Right Hand Rising the Right hand alone over the Head

Thrividangam Head and Hands Rising two hands over the Head

Panchangam Knees, Hands, Legs and Head Kneels down with palms joined together, one feet over other feet and bows with Head

Asthangam Legs, Hands, Ears, Chest, and Head One lies down flat on the with eight limbs touching the ground.

Sasthangam Whole Body Falling abruptly on the feet of God