Akimboo

Next Step Challenge Starting Soon!

by Carolyn

What I love about the Next Step Challenge is how it helps me to build my wellness support team of friends. I encourage my friends and colleagues to walk, and they encourage me. Creating a habit of walking is a great way to ramp up for the cold weather season.

How the Next Step Challenge works
Teams of 2-10 compete in an active competition tracking the number of steps accumulated. Through an online dashboard, members report their step count in effort to move their team up the challenge leaderboard. Participants have the ability to connect with Fitbit devices and Under Armour apps for easy tracking and reporting.

September 11 - October 20, 2017
Registration open Aug. 14-Sep. 18

Participants receive:
•   Live Healthy Iowa pedometer
• Personal online dashboard with the ability to sync apps and devices
•   Weekly motivational messages
•   Unlimited access to online tools and resources
•   Opportunities to win team incentives and individual prizes

Click here to learn more about how Live Healthy Iowa's Next Step Challenge works!

Are you ready to get moving right now? Get your feet warmed up with this three minute exercise by Amanda Rhine on Akimboo.com.

photo credit: Womens Health Magazine

Re-energize with standing yoga

Take four minutes to re-energize your mind and body with Mindy as she leads you through a standing lunge to help your body feel better.

Connect with your feet, feel strong, feel rooted

Connect with your feet to feel strong and rooted in your whole body.

Gratitude is a powerful activity for releasing anxiety. Try a two minute guided meditation for gratitude right now.

Do you experience neck or shoulder strain? Try this relaxing three-minute stretch with Christie right now.

Everyone needs a good friend, someone who accepts you even in relaxed attire!

No time for vacations? With little or no prep time give yourself quality pampering with a DIY micro-retreat!

Join the doctor of laughter, Laughing Laura for two minutes of the best medicine.

Are you meditation curious but find sitting still too hard? Try a moving meditation of Qigong with Denise.

Start any path or project by feeling good and grounded. Try this two minute qigong breathing exercise with Denise.

Extroverts in the office. A guide for leaders.

Can we harness the energy of extroverts in the office? Find three simple ways introverts and extroverts can benefit from each other.

Making things with our hands can be deeply relaxing. Make these simple paper butterflies with just scissors and paper. Aryn shows you how!

How do we have fun at work? Mary Jorgensen shares four basic strategies proven effective by the Seattle Fish Market

Practicing Gratitude: What's the Big Deal?

Mary Jorgensen shares three great hacks to fold gratitude into your day.

Create your own tip jar for self-care. Mary Jorgensen shares three simple steps!

Are you a Type A that takes things super seriously? If the weight is getting to you, take this lesson from Lunarbaboon to soften up.

Do Wellness Leaders Fail at Work-Life Balance?

A new podcast explores how leaders like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation investigate work-life balance among their own ranks.

Do you have untapped gifts? Discover your hidden gifts and unwrap them right now! Denise shares easy ways to find them.

If you're feeling at the end of a rope, take a refreshing two minute pause with Mary Jorgensen to feel better.

Practice self-forgiveness and loving-kindness with a guided meditation.

Laughter really is the best medicine. Take two minutes to try this laughter pill with Laughing Laura.

Forgiveness can dramatically lower stress. Learn five steps to bring forgiveness into your life.

By simply moving your arms to the flow of your breath, you instantly feel calmer.

Forgiving ourselves brings inner peace and resiliency. Practice self-kindness with a shoulder stretch on Akimboo.

Setting high expectations is great. But some days the best expectation is to simply practice self kindness.

Mindy leads a modified downward facing dog stretch that will give your muscles a little kick.

The Path to Purpose: Unwrap Your Gifts - Part 2

We all have gifts to share. Join Denise Salem as she reveals how to discover your hidden gifts.

The Path to Purpose: Unlock what you already know

Do you want to connect with your deeper purpose? Denise shares how to get started and avoid common myths.

Body language communicates our inner emotions. It even communicates to ourselves!

Don't have time for a REAL 'workout'? Then try this 12 minute yoga flow. I guarantee you will feel better!

Does success bring happiness? Or is it the other way around? Learn how the boost of happiness can help achieve what you want in life.

Telomeres are the protective end-caps on our chromosomes. They get frayed with stress but we can restore them with movement.

Helping others is one of the best ways to lift spirits. We all have gifts to give. Lunarbaboon reflects on our most priceless gifts.

Do you need help conjuring up some spark in your day? Find out how to create a little magic with Lunarbaboon.

Here's a list of what ILoveInspired.com finds awesome in the Driftless Region for Spring.

Four Basics for Reaching Financial Health

Good for you for taking care of your personal health. Here are four basics for working on your financial health...

One Quick Strategy to Green Light Conversations

Make your conversations 'green light' conversations with this one powerful tip!

What's a great way to show I love and appreciate someone? If you're stuck writing the perfect poem, try Lunarbaboon's idea.

What do you want for yourself in 2018? Lunarbaboon shares a story that will make you smile about new years self-improvement.

Cold weather can bring out the grump in me. That's when it's time to show the world who's in charge of a good attitude. Me!

Who were the women scientists of history and what prizes did they win? Lunarbaboon knows...

When it comes down to it, my kids don't want another movie or toy or hat. Being fully present and experiencing life with people you love...

Desk work can be dangerous - Take action!

Office work shouldn't be dangerous. Do you have back or eye strain? Take action right now with Amanda.

Are you emailing at all hours of the day and night? Set some boundaries and do NOT exceed expectations, for a start!

Always Saying "Yes" and Never "No" to Creativity

Over 20 million Americans feel disengaged at their jobs. Can creativity help? (Yes!)

Mastermind Your Schedule with Google Calendar

Nothing beats the efficiency of Google Calendar for managing your entire schedule.

The New Google Calendar for Web is Here!

Google is rolling out a new and improved calendar. Learn how the new features of the calendar can simplify your scheduling!

Who helps you see the magic in the mundane? Find that friend when you need a mental re-boot.

Spending time with the ones you love takes self-care. Take five minutes for feel-good shoulders with Jane right now.

Do you know how to negotiate what you're worth?

Being a good negotiator means taking care of you and the other person. Find out when you have critical opportunities to negotiate.

Companies who embed wellness tell employees everyday in a 1,000 ways 'we care about you'.

Make your own homemade super cool envelopes with magazines glue and scissors!

Common misconceptions about exercise and wellness often get in our way. You don't have to build up a sweat to benefit!

Take the Happiness Survey and see how you compare to your community, region, and global happiness indexes.

Use household recycled supplies of cardboard, napkins and tape to make a festive paper wreath.

Quick & Easy Morning Yoga Changed my Life

I started doing 10 minutes of yoga every morning with videos like this one. I know it doesn't sound like much, but I'm a changed woman.

Increase Your Inner Strength and Resilience

Dr. Amit Sood shares fundamental strategies to increase your inner strength in this three-minute video.

Get inspired to incorporate 20 - 30 minutes of walking into your day. It's easier than you think!

Ingo, a Belgian shepherd, and Poldi, a one-year-old owlet, share a very special bond which is evident in the following photos.

Watch this amazing video to see how young classmates encourage their friend to jump higher.

Aryn Henning-Nichols shows how to make an adorable paper gnome hat with just a few basic supplies. Have fun, little gnomies!

Take a minute of zen and delight in this magical hummingbird bathing party with tranquil bubbling water.

What foods make you feel awesome in bed?

What foods make you feel your sexy best? Find out in this short video by Layla Martin!

Do you have a goddess ritual? Add a few tricks to your goddess bag with this short video from Layla Martin.

How to really truly love all of you - in 7 days

Layla Martin shares the most amazing practice to cultivate self love. This exercise changes inner monologue in a profound way. Try it.

Finally, a practice for healing the heart

Try this simple four step heart meditation to heal your heart from past injury.

Need a little crafting therapy? Super, grab some newspaper and make the cutest dang pirate hat you ever saw, matey!

This is how to get past fears of rejection.

There's a very straight forward way to get beyond fears of rejection. Find out how this entrepreneur did so... with donuts!

Want to up your water intake. Akimboo likes the tried and tested Burst Your Thirst challenge with Live Healthy Iowa.

See how one little college in NE Iowa is setting an example of wellness with walking meetings, and yes, even trampolines...

The One Thing You Can Do to Achieve Your Goals

Find a list of positive trigger resources you can download and refer to anytime you’re feeling blue.

Make amazing paper awards for your family, friends, and colleagues!

Learn how to make delightful paper flowers to brighten the day.

21 Ways to Optimize Your Life in Seconds

Small changes might just be the way to reach your goals. Don't work harder, work smarter. Here are some ideas for getting started!

Learn how the simple science of motivation can bring you a lifetime of fitness in this book by Michelle Segar, PhD

What makes people live longer healthier and better? Dan Buettner reveals some secrets in his book, "The Blue Zones"

A new movement that celebrates walking is sweeping northeast Iowa, starting with Northeast Iowa Community College!

Dr. Amit Sood explains why gratitude is a key factor in happiness. Try a three-minute gratitude meditation.

A healthy approach to your work day is contagious. Invite a friend to a micro-retreat and embed health and wellness into your day.

Music touches our hearts and inspires us. See how a flashmob transforms and uplifts an unsuspecting crowd with a well known song.

Want to spice up your walking game? Check out these expert suggestions for nature immersion in the Driftless area.

How does meditation build stronger bonds?

Dr. Amit Sood's short animated video shows how simple practices of meditation can build stronger bonds with our friends and family.

There are times when you think life can't get any better. And then a warm furry companion joins you in a chair and voila! Even better!

Some days are made for relaxing. Lunarbaboon has one good idea for spending a winter day with your favorite people.

Find adventure in your own backyard. Decorah offers new experiences for foodies and outdoorsies.

When's the last time you took a moment to appreciate your wonderful body? Take a moment to pause with Lunarbaboon...

Can't we all just get along? That's easy to say, but what does it mean? Try this simple quiz to see if you are practicing respect.

One way to fix foot-in-mouth syndrome is to practice deep respect. Spread the love and when necessary, apologize!

Have you ever put your foot in your mouth? Lunarbaboon comic has at least one suggestion for coping.

Does life ever seem overwhelming? Lunarbaboon offers a unique approach to dealing with big problems in this adorable comic.

Socializing - Best Medicine for the Money

Need to push the restart button on your brain? Recharge your mind by taking yourself and a friend on a little outting.

What reality do you create for yourself?

Speaker Isaac Lidsky identifies key strategies for creating the life you want to live.

Turns out, it can be hard to change habits. Almost 40% of our daily behaviors are rote habits run by the basal ganglia.

We are 30 times more likely to laugh when in good company than when alone.

Dr. Amit Sood's short animated videos shows how altruistic activities create a happy brain.

Do you ever feel like you're not communicating effectively? Discover four ways to use your powerful voice and change the world.

You might be diminishing your productivity by skipping exercise. Find out how!

Depending on exercise and other conditions, you may need to drink more water.

Are you too pooped for even a yoga routine? Then try this feel good set of lazy yoga stretches with Brett Larkin.

Cultivating gratitude is one powerful way to calm anxiety. Sharing your gratitude with others is a powerful way to boost personal wellness.

Day Trips - Just the Right Amount of Adventure

Looking for inspiration? New ideas, new people, new scenery are just around the corner.

Check out these great ideas from our friends at ILoveInspired.com

Can Socializing Make Us More Productive?

Socializing in a positive work setting is a boost to our well being, and our productivity.

Ted Talk speaker Amy Cuddy explains how power posing helped her gain the confidence to face her fears.

Author Elizabeth Gilbert of "Eat, Pray, Love" shares who she places trust in when seeking feedback.

What are practices of healthy people? So simple you might just laugh.

Isaac Lidsky suggests these strategies for creating the life you want to live.

According to Blue Zones research, a glass of wine with food and friends can be an important part of wellness.

Ever have trouble speaking up for yourself? Adam Galinsky has a few good ideas!

Fold gratitude into your life with these five simple practices.

New studies shared by the Alzheimer's Association show aerobics have benefits for brain function.

Your attitude may have a bigger impact on your colleagues than you think.

When you learn new things, physical changes take place in your brain.

New research shows more good reasons to get active!

Socialize for your health!

Need a psychic boost? Helping others is the quickest way to feel better

Do you have trouble with low back pain? Gather your pillows and a rug or a mat. You will love these gentle stretches.

Winter weather can put a hamper on exercise routines. That's where peer support comes in. Grab a friend, grab your coat, and go!

Give Yourself the Gift. Pause for a Moment

Are you working hard on a big project? Boost your productivity and mental clarity by taking a moment for yourself!

If a sitting meditation is not for you, have you ever tried a walking meditation?

Find meaning in work, be a student of life.

Bicycling is a great way to incorporate adventure into your healthy habits.

Boost your productivity by taking a break.

What's one great way to get grounded fast? Grab a friend and go for a walk!

Show yourself the love you deserve with positive self talk.

Kickstart your wellness goals by going on an adventure!

One of the best ways to boost your own mood is by small gestures to help others.

Did you know smiling can actually trick your brain and improve your mood?

Start your yoga practice with the basics. You can try this anywhere, even in your office!

You deserve to feel good. Treat yourself to a glass of cool water right now.

Apple cider vinegar has dozens of benefits.

Don't let negative self-talk get you down.

Trees - Some of the Longest-Living Organisms

Channel the natural groundedness of trees.

Approach meditation with an open mind and try this five simple steps.

Need a quick break, try this guided meditation.

Tabita Green offers a holistic approach to the term 'wellness'.

Akimboo is a way of integrating wellness into your work day and your entire life.

Working on a big project? You can still take a minute to stretch at your desk.

Try this two minute guided meditation to check in with your breath, body, and mind.

A strong body is essential to explorers. Energize your body with a little yoga and feel stronger.

Hear why Amanda Rhine became a Pilates instructor.

Want to feel grounded? Try this video to ground yourself with an 8 minute yoga routine.

Take time to stand up from your desk and stretch. Reduce muscle fatigue and wake up your brain.

What's your favorite kind of music? Turn up the tunes and reduce your stress.

Cycling is one of the most holistic activities you can engage in.

Surround yourself with nature and reap the psychological benefits.

Sun Salutation yoga for beginners will leave you feeling great. Try this under 3 minute exercise with the amazing Mindy.

Take a short mental break to clear your head.

Walking is proven to lower blood pressure and improve immune systems.

On most days I struggle with one or more worries. I worry because...

Wellness means a lot of different things to different people

I believe the hardest thing about any project or task is getting started. We think we need so much time to start working on a new task...

I’m moving beyond decluttering. I feel freer already...

By Dr. Amit SoodI enjoy laughing with others. I am embarrassed to accept that I...

By Tabita Green. Lately, I’ve been feeling dull. I realized that I needed to lighten up a bit and find a little play in my life.

What does Akimboo mean? Akimboo is a way to incorporate wellness that is grounded, strong, and open.

By Dr. Amit Sood We should reprogram our default from judging others to validating others.

The best way to help yourself is to help others.

Let your imagination create the impossible.

Make the world around you a better place by looking out for the happiness of others.

Simple movement can boost your spirits!

Keep your produce healthy by using natural pest and disease control methods!

Actively participate in improving your emotional health and well being by paying attention to your body.

All you need is 15 minutes to follow these 5 easy steps.

Did you know gardening can lead to greater self-esteem?

Yoga is suitable for everyone, everywhere.

Gardening gets us moving. And it can be fun too.

Need to wake up? Stand up and move away from your desk. A little movement is better than a cup of coffee.

Take advantages of the many benefits of biking!

Embrace Your Morning Increase Productivity

Studies find early morning to be one of the most mentally productive times of the day.

Replace the hurry in your life with meaningful things. Dr. Amit Sood shares why kindness can have a huge impact...

When I focus on your hurts and you on mine, with an intention to heal, we forget, at least for a few moments that we are hurting.

Music can relieve stress and boost happiness!

Enjoy the outdoors and be healthy!

Path to Your Purpose: Expect the Unexpected

Why is connecting to purpose important? Join Denise as she connects to purpose in order to re-charge her week and her life.

Happy Solstice! Today commit to connecting your heart mind and body with the positive forces of the universe. Here's how.

Do you ever sabotage your good work striving for perfection? Learn to settle for 'good enough'.

Check out these great ideas from our friends at ILoveInspired.com

Live Healthy Iowa offers a 10 week challenge. Grab a friend and sign up!

Life Healthy Iowa offers a 10 week challenge. Grab a friend and sign up!

Getting extra light, movement and socializing help beat the winter blues.

What is the only job in your day?

Take a laughter pill with Laughing Laura

They say laughter really is the best medicine, so take two minutes to get goofy and laugh at yourself with Laughing Laura.

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Meditation for Loving Kindness

Calm yourself, get centered, and connect with your compassion as Amy Chicos leads you through a short loving kindness meditation.

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Find calm in your private garden

Walk through your own private garden, smell the tall grass, watch the butterflies, and find calm in your heart.

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Take five - neck and face yoga for instant relief

Have you been looking at a screen? Take five and send feel good to your neck and face right now.

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Two minute feel good shoulder yoga

Take two minutes for feel good shoulders with Jane.

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Next Step Challenge Starting Soon!

Re-energize with standing yoga

Connect with your feet, feel strong, feel rooted

A gratitude guided meditation

Movement to relax head and neck

Lunarbaboon: Good

Recipe for Do-It-Yourself Micro-Retreat

Laughter is the best medicine

Four minute Qi Gong

Can curiosity lead to purpose?

Extroverts in the office. A guide for leaders.

Make your own paper butterflies!

Can we have fun at work? Yes!

Practicing Gratitude: What's the Big Deal?

Make a personal tip jar!

Lunarbaboon - Soften

Do Wellness Leaders Fail at Work-Life Balance?

The Path to Purpose: Unwrap Your Gifts

'Rope' - from Lunarbaboon

Forgive yourself - here's how

Take a laughter pill

Five steps for forgiveness

Try a two minute Qi Gong exercise

Why is forgiveness important?

Lunarbaboon - Aim

Make a Mother's Day Mini-Magazine

The Path to Purpose: Unwrap Your Gifts - Part 2

The Path to Purpose: Unlock what you already know

Harness Your Body Language for Success

Twelve Minute Vinyasa Yoga Flow

How do I achieve a happiness mindset?

Restore Your Telomeres with Movement

Lunarbaboon - Gifts

Lunarbaboon - Sorcery

Spring is in the Air

Four Basics for Reaching Financial Health

One Quick Strategy to Green Light Conversations

Lunarbaboon-Poetry

Lunarbaboon - 2018

Lunarbaboon - Cold

'Curie' from Lunarbaboon

'Matter' - with Lunarbaboon

Desk work can be dangerous - Take action!

Punch Your Email Inbox in the Face

Always Saying "Yes" and Never "No" to Creativity

Mastermind Your Schedule with Google Calendar

The New Google Calendar for Web is Here!

Lunar Baboon - Pebble

Lunarbaboon - Spend

Do you know how to negotiate what you're worth?

What does Corporate Wellness look like?

Make your own paper envelopes!

Exercise myths busted

Take the Happiness Index Survey

Make a paper wreath!

Quick & Easy Morning Yoga Changed my Life

Increase Your Inner Strength and Resilience

Why is Northeast Iowa walking more?

An Owl and His Dog - Your Moment of Zen

What does teamwork look like?

How to Make a Paper Gnome Hat

Feel Good Video - Hummingbirds!

What foods make you feel awesome in bed?

What's your goddess ritual?

How to really truly love all of you - in 7 days

Finally, a practice for healing the heart

How to Make a Pirate Hat

This is how to get past fears of rejection.

Challenge Yourself - Drink More Water!

Give yourself permission to be well!

The One Thing You Can Do to Achieve Your Goals

Make paper awards!

May Day Paper Flower Crafting

21 Ways to Optimize Your Life in Seconds

Book Review of "No Sweat"

Book Review of "The Blue Zones"

Walk, Northeast Iowa!

Why Does Gratitude Reduce Stress?

We're better together

Music to Transform Your Day