Elbows out can be kosher martial arts.
Just pretend you’re about to do that side punch ( I have forgotten the Oriental name for it) - the one where you stick your elbow out to your side and your lower arm pivots back from the elbow and you flick your wrist so the opponent who is beside you cops a flicking punch in the solar plexus, neck or face. ( A so-called “soft” technique).
Simpler still, just pretend you are going to elbow someone coming up beside you - a very effective street technique notwithstanding I have forgotten its formal name.
You can practise these strokes rapping with teenage kids in the dance ring although I do admit not liking rap music very much (at all).