Probably one of the most challenges poses (or movements) in the Ashtanga tradition is lifting yourself off the ground when sitting in cross-legged (lotus doesn't count ... that is much easier to lift from) or seated staff pose. Saturday two of my regulars were able to lift in both poses using props in a different way.
If you want to give it a try also, come some Saturday to the Core Yoga (or Yoga for the Core) class and no matter what I have planned, I'll take the time to show you the innovative way to use props to help you get the lift you've been striving for.