Tips for balance poses?

[al88]

Anyone got any tips for improving my balance?! Whenever I try tree for example the foot I'm standing on kind of goes crampy and I start curling my toes into my mat. I try not to think about it but I feel like I'm getting worse and not better. I know I'm supposed to balance from my core but all I can think about is my foot!

Who says you're supposed to balance from your core?

The most important bit is the bit on the floor. If that's not doing the right thing, no other body part can hold you. Start near the wall so you can support yourself and get the actions of the foot and leg, and the rest of the body. As you get better, let go of the wall but stay close so you know you can use it if you need to. Eventually you will be able to do in the centre of the room...

Foot needs to spread on the floor like tree roots, and leg should be firm and lifting like the tree trunk. Focus on the foot and planting it down, and keeping the weight even.

Don't even think about your "core", get the legs right and it will follow...

Ah, that's probably where I'm going wrong. I have a class today and will think of my feet as tree roots and see how I get on.

Try standing on the floor, not the mat. Less wobbling. Find something to fix your gaze on. And some days are just better than others.

You need a 'drishti' a non moving point of focus to look at while balancing. As well as making sure the foot is planted. It's also helpful to make sure you perfect mountain pose and align your pelvis and can stand in a completely straight line first. My yoga teacher said the front your pelvis needs to be straight i.e. Tail bone not sticking out or going under - if you put your palm on your hip bone you can feel when it's straight.
Some days though balance is harder than others, don't give up!

Agree it's easier if you come off the mat. The squashier the surface beneath, the harder it'll be.

Focus your eyes on one object. For some reason corners / joins work best for me
¯\(ツ)/¯

Clear your mind. I struggle with this and the minute I start getting distracted, I lose balance

As others said, stand on firm ground (not the mat) and gaze at a fixed point that is low & far away.

Balancing poses will get easier as your leg muscles strengthen.