Alternate Leading Foot (Stepping Back & Forward)

"Step back to plank" and "step your feet forward" are two phrases you hear regularly in class. As teachers, we give minimal cues here as the move is not complicated and it is a quick transition from one pose to the next. As students, we often forget about these seemingly small movements.

We talk a lot about body balance in classes. If you did something on one side, try to do it on the other side. This is the same for those less-instructed movements such as stepping back and forward. For me, I almost always step back and forward with my right foot first (pictured above), which requires different mechanics than following with my left foot.

The next time you are in class, try to pay attention to which foot you are leading with and try to alternate sides. It can be hard to keep track in a faster-paced flow, so you may also try leading with your left foot in one class and leading with your right foot in the next class.

Don't worry if you realize that you forgot to switch which side you lead with. Just switch sides on the next round or next class.