The Primary Series as a Mirror for Life...

The primary series truly is a mirror to the pattern of life itself. 

You start with Surya Namaskar A. A fairly basic vinyasa that is relaxed and gradually warms the body. Then you move to the deceptive beast which is Surya Namaskar B. It seems fairly simple and you think you can take it, but after that 2nd or 3rd round of it sweat is dripping to the floor. But still you make it through.

Then you move to the standing postures which are filled with ups and downs, periods of pure relaxation and release to moments of tension so contracted that your thighs are shaking in Virabhadrasana II. And as soon you think your thighs are turning into mush you move into Dandasana for yet another moment of release and transition into the sitting postures. 

Just like their predecessor they have moments of joy and pain, mastery and incompetence. A true test of perseverance and strength containing moments of embarrassment as you roll around on the floor like a child folded like a pretzel. Even here just like in the life you eventually learn to appreciate times such as these to the point of laughter.

Next we get to the backbends, the awkward poses that is both inverted and expanding.  Not once, not twice,  but thrice. After an excruciating few minutes of using practically every muscle in your body, to bend, stretch,  pull and lift, you come down and crouch back into the comfort of Paschimottanasana. Ahh the blessed seated forward fold.

Your life and practice has now had so many highs and lows that you think it can't get any worse.  But you're wrong...

Your life will now take it sharpest turn ever as you begin the closing asanas with your first headstand, sirsasana.

With this pose, not only is your world literally turned upside down, but you don't just go up and then come down once it is. Once your life/body is flipped on its head,  you're expected to fall in a manner of sorts and pull yourself back up. Just like in life, when its seems impossible to pick up the pieces after a series of setbacks, twists, turns and falls, it is very hard to pick yourself back up in this pose as well (at least it is for a beginner like me). But you must and you will. For it's always darkest before the dawn.

You come down from sirsasana after picking yourself, ready to take on the world and are given child's pose. You have arrived. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  You push through Yoga Mudra, Padmasana, and Utplutihi like Rocky and find your resting place lying flat on your back and your breathe flowing calmly and smoothly as you take your final rest...

It is this mirroring of the human life in the Ashtanga practice that arouses both the deepest dread and the most unconditional love I've ever felt.

Thank you for this perpetual and ever lasting life lesson that both propels me and humbles me. Thank you Primary series. You sly devil you....