Stand up, step the feet apart about shoulder width, turn the right foot out 90 degrees and the left foot slightly inward.
Turn the shoulders and hips to face the right toes.
Bend at the hips, fold forward and take the left hand to a block placed inside the right foot.
Reach the right hand straight up with the palm facing out.
Gaze at the right thumb.
Hold for 5 breaths
Stand up, rotate the feet and repeat on the left side.
Form tips
The block can be set to a high (on its end), medium (on its long edge) or low (flat on the widest surface) setting.
For easier balance, align the feet a little wider when facing the front leg, as if you are standing on train tracks, rather than on a tight-rope.
Keep the weight evenly distributed across both feet. Attempt to keep the hips square toward the front foot. To do this, keep the front leg hip pulling back and toward the center of the body. Avoid dropping the back leg hip too much.
This posture features a spinal twist focused on the upper back. To create that twist, work the opposing actions of the bottom hand pressing down and the upper hand lifting up, while stabilizing the legs and hips.
Keep the wrist, elbow and shoulder in the same line.
If gazing at the top hand is too difficult, gaze down toward the front toe.