Aloha Tracker48,
Good question. One of the reasons Master Lin teaches The Seven Steps of New Life in classes without raising the leg is to allow beginners and those with balance challenges the opportunity to stay in a meditative state during their exercises, rather than worrying about tipping.
The option to leave the feet flat on the floor, or just raising the heals has been added to the Level One home study course manual and discussed here for quite some time (try doing an advanced search in "Search the Forums" to find out all sorts of interesting supplimental information about various SFQ topics.
Raising the legs to get the bend in the knee along with the extension and flexion in the ankle/foot assists in opening the channels targeted in the exercise. If you have been doing it for a while, I'd recommend raising the legs with your eyes open. not only will you assist opening channels, you will develop better balance and better focus.
Much Love,
Shawn
