I don't know what to do with my arms when I'm walking

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Hello.
I am new here, sorry if this isn't the right etiquette.

I just wanted to know if anyone can give me some tip or make me feel that I'm not the only one with this problem. When I walk, I don't know where to put my arms. I know it sounds stupid but not as stupid as I feel. Usually I can put them in my pockets and it's ok. But if I don't have pockets I have a problem. I see people swinging theirs around when they walk but to me that looks really funny. I try to do it but it's a bit of a mental effort to keep that going. The tendancy of my arms is to just flop beside me if they are not doing something.

I feel like everyone is watching me and laughing at my arms.

Well, sorry for my English and I hope nobody is offended by my post.

LK

I just realized that this might have nothing to do with this entire forum! I am sorry if that is the case!!

Either put them in your pockets or let them go back and forth a little as you walk.

11'ers represent!

I just let them hang. Preferably still. I don't like being part of the majority. It annoys me when people swing their arms, it makes me feel as if they believe they're in charge and superior to me. Or maybe that's just my dad...

I have the same issue at times. Sometimes I can do it just fine without feeling weird, other times it doesn't feel right and I wonder if I look strange. At those times, I usually just walk with my hands in my pockets and ocassionally pull them out to see if I can pull off the hand movements fluidly. It doesn't really concern me that much but if it's a real problem for you, you could try walking in front of a full-length mirror or video tape yourself. Then either watch it and judge the movements yourself or compare it to YouTube videos of other people walking. I hope this helps.

Edit: I noticed a post above me suggested not swinging your arms at all. If you don't care about how you look (you're around people you'll probably never see again), then go for it and don't waste the effort. But failing to conform around NTs that don't understand your situation (and that you want to socialize with) could hinder you.

Edit: Actually, one benefit to doing it all the time, even when you don't have to, would be getting more practice at it, that may make it worth the effort.

I carry my keys in one hand, and usually my iPod, or phone or a small notebook in the other. During the winter I wear a jacket and keep my hands in my pockets.

Before you go out, roll your shoulders backwards a couple of times and let your arms rest at the bottom of their sockets. You should find that they feel more natural there and the problem will go away. It's good for your posture too.

You're definitely not alone. When I was a kid, other kids made fun of me for walking stiffly, so after that I was self-conscious about it and never knew what to do with my arms. I usually either put them in my pockets as well or carry something. Ideally, I think we should just not care, but it's easier said than done.

it took me a long time to realize I walk funny and my posture was odd

i watched others walk and looked up posture and that stuff

now I look confident when I walk if I remember to

hips forward
knees bent
stomach tightened(flattened)
chest out(this helps me breathe better too)
shoulders back and relaxed
hands near waist elbows bent and back(try holding the seem on your pants)
all these when combined properly(practice is key it took me years)
cause the allignment of your muscles spine and everything to allow you to look confident
move smoother(you almost feel lighter)
and not be so self aware of your awkwardness

I forget to do it sometimes but eventually your muscle memory reminds you

I study alot of motion when I watch people animals tv etc.
its all in the framing of the body

try jiujitsu or something like that it teaches all these things

Swing them, a bit. I usually shake one hand/arm and let the other dangle.

Basically all I do for good posture is put the shoulders back and make sure I walk with my heels touching the ground. This was a technique I learnt from wearing posture shoes.

Ill have to see how that works with my routine or if i do that already

Absolut. I think you should let them swing as it's the most natural thing to do. Keep 'em down in crowds tho - you don't wanna knock anyone out!

I always carry a handbag on one shoulder so I have one arm bent with my hand holding onto the strap of the handbag while my other arm either hangs loosely or is carrying a shopping bag or something. I think if you have a shoulder bag with one hand holding the strap then you will look less stiff because you'll only have one arm dangling down and not two.

I keep mine in my pockets usually. When you don't have pockets you can place your thumbs on the top of your pants, if that makes sense.

I'm hands in pockets too [I make a conscience effort to buy pants with pockets] or just let my shoulders relax and let hand arms go natural.

I learnt in yoga that your ears and shoulders are worse enemies, so keep your shoulders down and slightly back. It's good for your back too.

Mine don't swing naturally. To make them do so would take constant mental attention to walking, so I just let them stay still and f**k what people think.