It is truly amazing how much deeper you can get into this pose with the help of a tree. The opening of the hips and the stretching of the hip flexors in this posture is second to none. As with other challenging balance poses, use the tree to help you find balance, and then cultivate more of it over time.

Begin an arm’s length away from the tree, then step back an additional 1 or 2 feet. Root down through one foot, with the toes facing the trunk. With the same-side arm, reach for the tree and plant the hand. Use the other arm to reach for the inside of the foot on the other leg — the leg that is not planted down. Alternatively, you can grab the outside of the foot. Utilize the tree to help you balance as you kick the lifted leg back and up. You should feel a huge stretch in the hips. Breathe like this for a couple of moments, then practice on the other side. Enter and exit mindfully.