everything wrote:what do you do them for (whatever swings you do - sorry to be nonspecific)?
They're done as part of 'Morning Stretch' routine.
They start with feet at shoulder-width, and standing natural with the knees slightly bent. The hips turn back and forth and the arms swing loose. The knees lock into place just short of torquing.
First position is across the kidneys with the back of the hand when they swing around the back, and palm of the alternate hand as it swings across the front - 10 swings each hand.
Second position has middle fingertip touching the bottom of the shoulder blade on the rearward swing and the alternate palm slapping the front of the shoulder - 10 swings each hand.
Third position has the arms parallel with the floor/ground with the outside arm swinging all the way out to one side and the alternate hand crossing the chest with the first knuckle of the thumb hitting under the clavicle - 10 swings each hand.
Without stopping the alternating/turning of the hips, the arms transition into inside/downward figure-8s for 10 swings and then outside/upward figure-8s for 10 swings.
As to the question asking what they're done for; Nothing really other than to loosen the spine, shoulders and arms, and self-massage. 'Functionally' it builds good whole-body connection and coordination.