Closed Allegra struggle

Does anyone else have a hard time with Allegra? I have been able to do it but it seems as if I can not get past the pain of Scorpio (I was taught as Gemini for inside leg hook) still. It helped to pull my top leg down towards myself so I had more space for my back to bend around the pole. Once I get my bottom arm around the pole to close the Allegra with by reaching for my foot, I usually start to collapse from the pose. Any advice on getting through the Scorpio pain as well as back flexibility for the Closed Allegra position?