The first standing balance pose of the Ashtanga primary series is extended hand to big toe pose, utthita hasta padangusthasana . Focus on the stability of the standing leg, draw your shoulders away from your ears, fold forward over a straight lifted leg or stand tall, you can hold a bent knee if a straight leg isn’t possible for your body today. Then inhale to stand tall, and exhale open your leg, bent or straight, to the side and look to the opposite side to a different drishti. Root down with your standing foot as you extend your spine up to the sky. Then inhale your leg back to center, exhale take a bow and then inhale bring your hands to your waist, straighten your leg if it is not, lift it higher, point your toes for five breaths. Relax your face, lift your pelvic floor and draw your belly button into your spine. Standing big toe pose strengthens and stretches your hip flexors and abs as well as the back, legs and feet. Whether you modify and bend your knee or not, you will improve your balance and concentration.