Asana Source: Bakasana

Ah, bakasana. You were my first arm balance. And I have to admit, you scared the crap out of me. During my first yoga class, I remember thinking "you want me to put my knees where and balance on what?" But here we are, all these years later, and I sort of love you.

If you've never tried it out, here's your shot.  Before getting started, remember two things: Look forward, and press your palms as flat as you can get them. Simple enough, right?

1. Stand in tadasana. Step your feet slightly wider than hips’ width and turn your toes slightly out to the sides.
2. Drop into a squat. Don’t worry if your heels pop up. It doesn’t matter.
3. Let your knees wing out to the sides and reach your arms as far forward as
   you can. Let your head drop and feel the stretch from the crown of your head
   through to your tail bone.
4. Enjoy!
5. Lift your gaze, and bring the palms together. Draw the thumbs into your
   sternum, and as you do so, make a firm connection between your upper arms and
   your upper shins.
6.  Keep this shin-arm connection as you release your hands down onto the mat,
   shoulder distance apart. Flatten the palms.
7. Rock slightly forward as you come up to your tip toes. Look forward. Maybe
   chill here, or see if you can’t lift a toe or two up. MAYBE pick all toes up off
   the ground and balance on your hands.
8. Bring big toes to touch, and gaze forward. Remember to breathe.
9. Take a break. Smile. Repeat.

Everyone teaches this posture differently, and that’s one of the wonderful aspects of
yoga. You can do this with your knees in your armpits, or you can start with your feet together. If this posture is old hat to you, feel free to spice it up by straightening the elbows, or trying to jump back into chatturanga dandasana. Or hell, pop up into a tripod headstand. The possibilities are limitless!