Movement Is Different for Everyone
Movetober 26 is a four-week movement challenge for KU employees, running October 5 through November 1, 2026.
This October, choose a movement pathway, set a weekly minutes target, and build momentum that works for you.
Whether you want to Move More, Move Often, Move Strong, Move Outside, or Move Together, Movetober 26 is designed to help you focus on the type of movement that feels most meaningful right now.
Join as an individual or create a pack of 3-6 colleagues.
Everyone starts where they are. Every minute counts toward the progress you want to make.
Weekly Themes
Week 1: Move Your Way
Movetober starts with you. Choose a movement pathway, set a weekly minutes target, and begin building momentum.
There is no perfect place to start. Begin where you are and choose a target that fits your life right now.
Everyone:
• ✅ Complete your Movetober registration.
• 👥 Joining a Team? Make sure your team captain registers your team name.
• Choose your pathway and set your weekly minutes target.
• Share your goal, motivation, or a photo in the Movetober Teams Channel.
• Encourage fellow Jayhawks as they get started.
• Start movin!
Week 2: Move with KU Spirit
Show your Jayhawk spirit while building momentum on your pathway. This week, we're celebrating the many ways KU employees move, connect, and support one another.
Join us in person:
❤️💙 Meet us Tuesday, October 13 at 12:10 PM in front of the Kansas Union for a group walk down Jayhawk Boulevard, with special guest Baby Jay!
Everyone:
• Wear your favorite KU gear while you move.
• Share a photo that shows your Jayhawk spirit.
• Encourage a fellow Jayhawk in the Movetober Teams channel.
• Reflect on the progress you've made so far.
Week 3: Move with Your Pack
Movement is often easier when we do it with others. This week, celebrate the people and pets that help keep you moving..
Welcome BACK to Mass Street Mutts, a program through Lawrence Humane where almost anyone can volunteer to give a dog some love for a day.
Join us in person:
🦮 Meet us on Tuesday, October 20 at 12:10 PM in front of Chalmers Hall for a group walk with adoptable pups from Lawrence Humane!
Everyone:
• Take a movement break with a person or pet.
• Share a photo of your pack in the Movetober Teams channel.
• Give a shoutout to someone who supports your movement journey.
• Share a favorite companion, pet, or shelter-animal story.
Week 4: Move to the Beat
Music can make movement more fun. Join us on campus for a group walk featuring live music from members of the Marching Jayhawks, or press play on a movement-friendly playlist curated by KU employee, hip hop artist, and local DJ Approach (Sean Hunt).
Join us in person:
🎵 Thursday, October 29 at 12:10 PM
Meet in front of Watson Library for a group walk featuring live music from members of the Marching Jayhawks.
Everyone:
• Listen to the Movetober Playlist while you move.
• Share a favorite song, artist, or playlist in the Movetober Teams channel.
• Reflect on what helped you stay motivated this month.
• Celebrate your progress and encourage fellow Movers as Movetober comes to a close.
Your Move, Jayhawk - Instructions
Movetober 26 runs October 5-November 1, 2026.
👤➕👥 Options
Participate as an individual or form a team of 3-6 members. Teaming up is optional but a fun way to stay connected and motivated!
🏃♀️ Individuals - Register & Check-In Weekly
Start by completing the Individual Registration Form to choose a movement pathway and set a weekly minutes target.
Each week, complete the Movetober Weekly Tracker using your email address. You'll report how you did with your pathway and the time you spent working on it that week.
Submit your previous week's minutes by Mondays at 12:00 noon (Central). If you're participating on your own, select "I'm solo!" in the team name dropdown.
🧑🤝🧑 Teams - Register & Check-In Weekly
By Friday, October 2nd, one person registers your team name in the Movetober Team Registration Form (Qualtrics survey). Each team member should also complete the Individual Registration Form to choose a movement pathway and set a weekly minutes target.
Each team member submits their own Movetober Weekly Tracker using their email. Simply select your team name in the dropdown. Submit by Mondays at 12:00 noon (Central) and be entered into random weekly prize drawings! (See below.)
✅ Choose Your Pathway
Every Jayhawk is welcome. Every pathway counts.
Movement is different for everyone. That's why Movetober 26 includes five pathways to help you focus on the type of movement you'd most like to spend time on this month:
Some activities may fit more than one pathway. Choose the one you'd most like to focus on this month and build momentum over time.
👉 Learn more about the Movetober pathways.
⏰ Weekly Log Deadline for Prizes
Everyone, log your previous week's minutes by Mondays at 12:00 noon (Central) and be entered into random weekly prize drawings!
📅 Final Log Deadline for Prizes and Recognition
Enter all movement minutes by Thursday, November 5th to qualify for final prizes and recognition.
Win Prizes & Recognition
🎯 Weekly Prize Drawings
Log your movement minutes by each Monday at noon central for the prior week and you’re in! Each week, we'll draw random names for wellness-themed goodies.
📸 Theme Bonus Entries
Get creative with weekly themes! Share a theme-related photo in the Teams Channel and earn extra chances to win that week. Share your photos also by Monday at Noon!
⏳ Consistency Counts
Log movement every week to qualify for a special end-of-month drawing. Steady wins the swag! Enter all your weekly minutes by 5:00 PM (Central) on Wednesday, November 4th.
✨ Movetober BONUS Events ✨
De-stress at Your Desk: Virtual Chair Yoga
12:00 - 12:30pm
Join us for a virtual session of KU Employee Wellness Yoga that’s focused on gentle movements that you can do from a seated position. Chair yoga adapts traditional yoga poses to be performed using a chair for support, allowing safe stretching, strength building, and mindful movement for beginners and all fitness levels.
Instructor: Kendra Ikenberry, Certified Yoga Instructor & KU Employee
Move-N-Learn: Mindful Movement: Diving Inside, Listening Deeply
12:10-12:50pm
In-person: Lawrence Campus-Robinson Ctr, Dance Studio, Rm 250
In this Movetober workshop, participants will tune into the minute workings of their bodies through attentive stillness, wild movement, and everything in between. Drawing from Feldenkrais and Gaga techniques, Thomas will lead a dance-based practice rich in imagery and sensation. No dance experience required.
Guide: Thomas Jenson, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Theatre & Dance
-KU employees can register below through My Talent (link below)
-KUMC employees & Affiliates who do not have access to My Talent, please email wellness@ku.edu to register
Lunch-N-Learn: Building a Sustainable Fitness Routine
12:00-12:45pm
Zoom
What does it really mean to build a fitness routine that you can sustain for life? Taylor Getz, owner of True Barre Lawrence, will explore how consistent movement and healthy habits can support strength, mobility, balance, confidence, and overall well-being at every stage of life!
We’ll discuss how building a sustainable routine can help us age well, reduce injury risk, feel more comfortable and confident in our bodies, and support our mental well-being, without requiring hours in the gym or an “all-or-nothing” approach.
We’ll also discuss the fundamentals of barre and Pilates, what makes these movement practices unique and accessible, and how they can fit into even the busiest lifestyles.
Presenter: Taylor Getz, Owner of True Barre Lawrence
Quick Info & Handy Links
- Schedule of Events & Deadlines - TBA Select to follow link
- Team Name Registration Select to follow link
- Movetober Individual Registration Select to follow link
- Movetober Weekly Tracker Select to follow link
- Become a KU Wellness Ambassador Select to follow link
- Sign-up for the Monthly Employee Wellness Newsletter Select to follow link
