After nearly 15 years of teaching water exercise, I thought I had a solid understanding of how the body moves. But everything shifted in 2011, when I joined the Gray Institute Fellowship. I expected to deepen my knowledge of anatomy.
What I didn’t expect was how much I’d unlearn.
Up to that point, most of my training had focused on memorizing muscles and understanding their individual roles. But something critical was missing: connection.
How muscles work together.
How movement happens in real life.
How your body is designed to move as a whole—not in isolated parts.
That shift in perspective changed not just how I moved, but how I taught. It became the foundation for Wavemakers, and it still shapes every workout I create today.
Your Body Is Built to Move in 6 Essential Directions
Every joint in your body is designed to move in three planes of motion:
-
Sagittal – forward and backward
-
Frontal – side to side (right and left)
-
Transverse – rotational (right and left)
From these planes come six essential movement directions your body needs every day:
✅ Forward
✅ Backward
✅ Right
✅ Left
✅ Rotate right
✅ Rotate left
If you’re not regularly moving in all six directions, certain muscles get overused while others stay underworked—and that imbalance can lead to stiffness, weakness, and pain.
But when you train intentionally through all six directions, you build strength, flexibility, and coordination in ways that support your body in real life.
Try This in the Pool (or Even On Land)
Here’s a simple water exercise routine that gets your whole body moving the way it was meant to:
🔹 Walk forward and backward
🔹 Walk right and left
🔹 Turn clockwise and counterclockwise while walking
Want a little more challenge? Try these two exercises for strength, balance, and mobility:
These full-body movements might look simple, but when practiced regularly—and in combination—they deliver results you can feel: less pain, more stability, and greater confidence in your movement.
Why Six-Directional Movement Works (Especially As You Age)
In Wavemakers, we build every workout around six-directional movement. Not because it’s trendy—but because it’s functional.
These are the directions your body uses when you:
-
Get in and out of a car
-
Reach for something in the cupboard
-
Catch your balance when you trip
-
Carry groceries or lift a grandchild
We focus on smart, purposeful movement that meets you where you are—and helps you build a body that supports the life you want to live.
Want to Feel the Difference for Yourself?
If you’re tired of generic workouts that don’t respect how your body moves, I’d love to help.
Inside Wavemakers, we use the science of six-directional movement to help you:
-
Reduce joint pain
-
Improve balance and posture
-
Increase strength and confidence
-
Move better in daily life—without fear
You don’t need hours in the gym or fancy equipment. Just meaningful, low-impact exercises that honor how your body was designed to move.
Join me inside Wavemakers and start feeling the difference in your next workout.