Balancing Roundhouse Kicks

Starting Position Stand with your back straight, abs engaged, shoulders relaxed, elbows bent, hands in fists, feet together, and hands up in front of your chin as in in "defense." Keep your arms up at all times. Bend your knees and lean (from the waist) toward the right, shifting your weight into your right foot to prepare to kick with your left leg. Lift your left knee up while abducting your leg (away from the midline of your body). Your knee and shoe laces should be pointing toward the front--not the side.

Action Breathe deeply and without moving your thigh, straighten your left knee to kick an imaginary target in front of you with your shoelaces, then bend your knee again to return to the start position. Repeat this balancing kick several times on this leg, then switch sides.

Special Instructions Unlike the Side Kick, where your imaginary target is at your side, your target on a roundhouse kick is in front of you. Keep your abs engaged, the knee of your standing leg slightly bent, and find a focal point in front of you to aid in balancing. You will lean slightly to the right when kicking to the left, but keep your back straight. Make sure your knee does not lock when you extend your leg. Kick lower to the floor (don"t lift your leg as high) to decrease intensity or higher to increase intensity. Slow down or speed up depending on your fitness level.