Some of us believe the best way to protect the spine is to move like a robot. We walk around like a robot (holding in our abs). We lift things like a robot (back straight, knees shoulder-width apart). We make love like a robot, and so on. But the fact is, human beings are not robots. It's normal for us to move in multiple planes, diagonals, and spirals. We need rotation in our spines when we walk to promote healthy circulation and normal tissue elasticity.
Those of us with spinal stenosis should avoid extreme rotational or repetitive large twisting movements--but we shouldn't tense up and stop moving as our bodies are designed to move. Keep moving like a person--let those arms and shoulders swing when you walk! Breathe deeply and try to stay relaxed.