THE BASICS FOR LEVEL GROUND (SHAFTS ANGLED BEHIND)
For any sport posture is important: keep head and trunk erect so the ribs can expand for easier breathing; by stretching-up to walk-tall you’ll flow over the ground with less effort too.
Keep your upper arm and elbow behind a vertical line dropped from the shoulder. The shafts remain at an angle behind as you walk; don’t lift a pole to place it in front – instead almost drag it along so it just skims over the ground behind each time your elbow bends (the real swing comes from the elbow/forearm thrusting out-and-back). Forget about the pole, just be aware of the hands/forearms moving up-and-down at your side (not out in front) left hand goes up when the right leg moves forward etc. Feel the extra thrust each time your hand pushes down and back - don’t grip the handle, push against it. If you grip hard it’s the equivalent of lacing-up your boots too tight - which disrupts the flow of movement over the joints so they can’t function as they should. As the body pivots over the shaft tip, loading is being controlled and directed through the hand/handle’s contours as a dynamic action. Relax the fingers (gripping the handle tightly wastes energy, and can cause sweat).

After the thrust the elbow bends naturally; this minimal action alone is enough to move the shaft tip so it can just skim over the ground behind (no shoulder swing is necessary). The tip is now positioned ready to be dropped again behind you.
Note: as the elbow bends the fingers curl into a relaxed hook for the handle’s central core to rest on, away from the palm; just slight pressure between the thumb and index finger is usually enough to secure the pole before the tip drops to the ground again. For walking efficiency aim to maintain an even stride and good rhythm - with heel/toe alignment pointing forward (and not at an angle).

To understand how the arm-stride works naturally, so you disrupt this natural action the least - consider the way your upper arm moves in an arc as you run. The main emphasis of this arc is behind the trunk. When walking it is the same arm action but less extreme - so when integrating your poles keep your upper arm action no further forward than vertical with your trunk.

BASICS CHEST UP-AND-OUT ELBOWS REMAIN IN-AND-BACK DROP TIP WITH OPPOSITE HEEL PUSH don't pull LOOSE GRIP

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User Guide pages:
SHAFT HEIGHT - PERSONALISING SHAFT HEIGHT - BASIC GUIDE - ASCENTS - DESCENTS - FOR FITNESS WALKING - TRAVERSING - BOULDER HOPPING - SCRAMBLING TERRAIN - CARE AND MAINTENANCE - STOWING / STORAGE