Turn on the forehand and leg yield can be used to teach the horse that the rider's leg can mean something other than, "Go forward."
The horse must understand this concept in these very basic movements before you will find much success with any of the more complicated lateral movements.
"As the beginning of the session should be, the end of the session should be: long neck, stretch over the back, swing." ~ Carl Hester
Acceptance of the outside rein is key to resistance free downward transitions.
You should feel like you have to ask your horse to stop, rather than simply "letting" him stop. If he stops when you let him, he is behind your leg.
To successfully maintain the elusive forward feeling hands, imagine that you are pushing a shopping cart as you ride forward into the bit.