To be honest, I couldn't tell if it was effective when I did it either, but for a long time, no one seemed to know what it meant -- many people wondered and made suggestions and guesses about it. Finally, I think someone, possibly Raum, offered the best explanation that I had ever read, but by that time, the questions were so deeply ingrained, they were left un-erased in my mental system. Plus, I doubt that many of us could agree upon which directions the gestures should be cut through the air -- although I am extremely sure that my interpretation was correct
That said, I am now the one who should do a 'search' and find that marvelous answered supplied a couple of years ago . . . and then try it again. Obviously for it to be effective, one should understand it!