[encumeterz]

The Hanbalis are clearly of the opinion that the hands are to be placed below the navel.

Of course, this will irritate some pseudo-Hanbalis, who are in fact pseudo-salafis!

I keep my hands below my navel, does that now make me an authentic Hanbali?

Regardless there is freedom in the madhab to do what you want, because it is a sunnah of the Salah, so even if you want to pray with your hands by your side there is no problem with that.