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As you all know by now, my friend Anne is somewhat of an expert in the field of exercises. She has controlled her PD symptoms for many, many years by judicious use of yoga based exercises, and over the last year or so, has been sharing that knowledge and experience with members of our support group. She also sometimes does book reviews for us on topics related to PDS. This time she has done a review of the NPF's new exercise book, and she has kindly agreed to let me post it here. I think we can all benefit by her comments. Evaluation of 'PARKINSON'S DISEASE: FITNESS COUNTS' The orange color of the book is good. It helps it to stand out. The fact that it can stand up on its own so that you can look and exercise at the same time is good. THe exercises that are presented are simple and sufficiently easy that it is more likely to motivate people to do them at home. 24 stretching exercises were presented, but only 10 strengthening exercises. Strength training and the appropriate breathing were presented only once, on pg. 5. I feel that every strengthening; exercise should be followed by an instruction to exhale on exertion. Since most PWPs havea trouble doing two things at once, I am not sure whether they can breathe evenly and do an exercise at the same time. I for one cannot. More strengthening exercises should perhaps be included and strength training variants of many of the stretching exercises could be presented. The chest stretch on p 19 could also become a wall pushup. The chair-raising exercise on p 26 could become a chair pushup. The hamstring curl on p 24 could easily morph into quad stretch and again into a real hamstring curl with a light weight on it. I should like to see some side-to-side lunges while holding on to a chair back, to strengthen the thigh abductors to help with balance. The tips, suggestions and resources listed in the later chapters and appendices are all helpful., THe note taking area at the end of the book is a nice touch. Anne Gill