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Step 1
Begin in a ready stance. Stand with feet parallel and directly under your shoulders. Your toes should point forward.
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Step 2
Look down at your feet. Notice how far apart they are from each other. The forward stance is built around a one-shoulder-width distance.
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Step 3
Move your right foot back two shoulder widths, taking care to keep it one shoulder width to the right of your left foot. Keep your left toes facing forward and bend your left knee. Let your right toes face to the right about 45 degrees.
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Step 4
Check your left knee. It should be in line with your foot, and you should be able to see your toes. If you can't see your toes, you're leaning too far forward.
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Step 5
Adjust your right foot. You should have felt yourself settle into the forward stance as if your upper body were a round weight supported in a sling held up by your legs. If you feel unsteady or are working to keep your balance, move your right foot forward or back.
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Step 6
Test your stance. Have a friend give you a shove on either shoulder. If you have to move your feet to keep from falling, your stance is too narrow. Move your right foot to the right to widen your stance until you are able to maintain your stance when shoved.
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Step 7
Practice. When your stance is correct, take a moment to notice what it feels like. Practice moving into a forward stance until you are in the correct position each time without having to make adjustments.
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Step 8
Practice adopting a forward stance with your left foot in back.
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Step 9
Walk forward and backward. While watching yourself in a mirror, walk forward from one forward stance to another. When moving your back foot to the front, keep it close to the floor and sweep it toward your front foot and back out to one shoulder width. Don't allow your head to bob up and down while changing position. Do the same in reverse, taking care that your front toes point forward and your back toes point out each time.
