We're not naturally symmetrical beings, and our actions make us even less so. We may be stronger on one side but weaker on the other side. Similarly, we can turn our head or twist our spine more in one way than the other. We can bend forward with ease but not backward.
All of Yoga, really, is about the balance of opposites--
sun-moon, male-female, yin-yang, left-right, front-back, inhale-exhale, aggression-submission, push-pull.
The "Hatha" in "Hatha Yoga" translates as sun (ha) and
moon (tha)--yet another opposite.
You'll notice in most yoga classes that the various asanas are balanced - forward bends balance out backbends; a pose done on the right side (like Trikonasa) is repeated on the left.
Then there are the asanas which focus specifically on balance. Balance poses are great ego-busters, and can be some of the most rewarding, and most frustrating, yoga postures. It feels great to be able to effortlessly hold a balance pose. And it's incredibly maddening on the days when the pose eludes you completely. You can't "try" to do a balance pose--you either do it or you don't. They give us immediate feedback when it comes to form and the mind. If the mind isn't present and focused, balancing will-power with confidence, you will most likely fall immediately!
Never feel bad when you have to take a step back in a balance pose - balance is not static; it changes constantly.
Doing an easier form of the pose (for example: taking your foot lower on your standing leg in Vrkshasana/Tree or using a block for your hand in Ardha Chandrasana/Half Moon) is NOT wimping out. Rather than just being concerned about toppling over, you can instead really focus on what it feels like to be balanced, gaining the confidence to take it deeper when you are ready.
Make the choice when you fall that you will not judge and berate yourself, but will just try to take a step back and focus on the breath. Breathe deeply and evenly and bring your mind back into the present. Then work on the pose from there, placing all of your attention on it. If it's still not working, simply go back to the breath again.
Remember too the balance within the balance: grounding and lifting, downward flow (apana) and upward flow (prana).
Two way movement keeps the base of the pose grounded while encouraging energies to move upwards to the higher self.
And lastly, know that it's really not that big of a deal if you fall over, so (even if it feels cheesy)--SMILE!
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"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." ~Lao Tzu
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