A direction of energy is given by the relationship between the T5 Action Area and the ankle of the standing leg. Such a direction has to be established through the shape of the form of the posture before you can move into this direction into the space.
There are 4 main directions of energy. These main directions are in golden proportion in terms of the angles between them (222° vs 138°).
The more time value you allow for T5 travelling into space, the wider the angle between the directions of energy can be — which allows the step to become longer.
In a normal walking pattern, there are still four energy directions, but in a much narrower angle — coming from the T5 bone through the ribs, close to the sternum.