Count to Six

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Coordinate two independent movement patterns in time with a spoken six-count.

Use it when: Use during a meeting break or transition when the group needs physical movement and a short mental focus reset.

Skip it when: Skip when participants have shoulder or arm mobility restrictions, or when the group needs quiet analytical concentration.

Group arrangement: Individual participation in whole group circle or standing spread

Timing: UWT suggested 8 minutes based on the source instruction allowing up to 10 minutes practice.

Materials and tools

• Visual reference card or flip chart showing the counts (optional)

Before participants arrive

1. Ensure all participants have enough personal space to extend both arms out to the sides and overhead without touching neighbors.

Say this to open

We are going to test our coordination with a quick physical pattern. We will count from one to six out loud together. First, we will learn the pattern for the right arm, then the left arm, and finally try them both at once.

How to run it

1. Teach the right arm pattern 2 minutes

   Stand facing the group. Demonstrate the two-beat right arm movement: on odd counts (1, 3, 5) raise the right arm straight up overhead; on even counts (2, 4, 6) bring it down to your side. Lead the group in counting out loud from 1 to 6 together while doing this movement. Repeat three times until the group keeps the steady beat.

2. Teach the left arm pattern 2 minutes

   Keep the right arm still. Demonstrate the three-beat left arm movement: on count 1 raise the left arm straight up overhead; on count 2 point the left arm straight out to the side; on count 3 bring it down to your side. Repeat for counts 4, 5, and 6 (up, side, down). Lead the group in counting out loud from 1 to 6 while doing this movement three times.

3. Combine both arm patterns 3 minutes

   Instruct everyone to perform both patterns at the same time while counting aloud together from 1 to 6. Give an example neutral call: on count 1 both arms go up; on count 2 right goes down while left points left; on count 3 right goes up while left goes down. Run four to five practice rounds at a slow, steady cadence. Let participants practice at their own pace for the final minute.

4. Brief group reflection 1 minutes

   Bring everyone to rest. Ask one or two participants to share how their focus shifted when combining the two patterns.

Debrief questions

• Which count felt like the hardest transition point for your brain?
• What strategy helped you keep track of both arms at once?

Finished output: The group completes several rounds of simultaneous six-count arm patterns, with individuals opting in to full, modified, or observer roles.

Remote

Run on video with gallery view open. Ensure each participant steps back so their head, torso, and arm positions are visible on camera. Lead the count verbally with all participants unmuted or have participants follow the facilitator on mute to avoid audio latency.

Hybrid

In-person and remote participants both keep cameras on and follow the facilitator's count. Display the remote gallery on the room screen so everyone sees the shared attempts.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may sit rather than stand.
• Participants may perform the movement using smaller gestures such as fingers or tapping on a table, or participate solely by keeping the verbal count without physical movement.
• Anyone may step out or observe without explanation.

If the session gets stuck

Participants get frustrated because their arms mirror each other instead of doing the distinct patterns.

Slow down the spoken count by half. Pause at count 2 and count 3 to let people place each arm intentionally before speeding up.

Audio delay online makes simultaneous counting chaotic.

Mute all remote participants, keep the facilitator unmuted to drive the beat, and invite everyone to count aloud in their own room.