If you have an opportunity to take a class, do that. It’s not at all difficult to learn but many first timers get easily confused when they have the poles in their hands...
The technique is a simple enhancement of normal arm swing when walking. The poles remain behind pointing diagonally backwards at all times.
Now, stride forward with one foot and the opposite arm, strike the pole down and swing that arm backward as the other arm and leg move forward. Opposite arms and legs swing alternately back and forward just like in normal walking, but much more efficiently.
The foot rolls through the step by pushing off with toe. This lengthens the stride behind the body. Next day you will propably feel that well in your "butt muscle", gluteus maximus...!
