Taking it in stride
The technique involved with using walking poles is a simple modification of the swinging of the arms when walking. The poles remain behind and pointing diagonally backwards at all times.
Shoulders are relaxed and down.
Poles are held close to the body.
The hands are slightly opened to allow the poles to swing forward. The poles are not gripped but rather, swing from the wrist straps.
The leading foot strikes the ground.
The opposite arm swings forward to waist height.
The opposite pole strikes the ground level with the heel of the opposite foot.
The poles remain pointing diagonally backwards; they are never in front of the body.
Push the pole as far back as possible, the arm straightening to form a continuous line with the fully extended arm, the hand opening off the grip by the end of the arm swing.
China Daily
(China Daily 10/31/2007 page19)
