Quote:
but body/stance alignment should be done by looking at your target
Doing that while leaning over and looking to the side is why people have a hard time lining up in the first place. I don't really get this advice at all. Do you line up your putts while standing over the ball and looking at your target? Of course not - you get behind the ball, pick your target point and then line up to that. Same thing should be done for all your shots.
Personally, my sequence is:
pick target line with ball and flag/mound/tree/whatever. Identify object 1-3 feet on that line, in front of the ball. Step into shot, squaring clubface to that point. Visualize parallel line to target line for my feet, and then squaring knees, hips and shoulders to my feet.
Keep in mind that square feet should be made with the heels, not the toes since your front foot is typically flared out. If you line up your toes, you will be slightly closed with your feet and everything else gets off from there.
also remember to not line your feet up to the target, but rather the target line. Once over the ball, you should "feel" slightly open with your stance. Aligning your feet to the target will produce a closed stance.