I. Most rod actions will be done with only one arm. Let the other arm hang limp.
Most people gesture with one arm at a time.
Have your puppet behave accordingly. When your actions have become smooth and you are comfortable in your performing, try shifting from one arm to the other by gently dropping one rod and picking up the other. Practice this method until you are confident in your moves. Manipulating two rods with one hand is not as difficult as it may appear. By pressing them together, the puppet's hands move together.