The idea of having a word of the year came to me from my dear friend and Yes, And…exercise! (YAX) co-founder, Susan Scarlett. She first offered it to me as a concept early in 2021 when I was struggling with my PhD program. She reminded me of both the meaning and value of joy. I […]

This blog is written by Michelle Lifshitz, a woman who was a care partner for her father, who had Parkinson’s disease. She is also a recent escapee from the Parkinson’s Prison. Please click the link for more information and to sign up for the next round of our class, Day One: The Parkinson’s Prison and […]

This blog is written by Susan Scarlett, a woman with PD and recent escapee from the Parkinson’s Prison. Please click the link for more information and to sign up for the next round of Day One: The Parkinson’s Prison and the Hero’s Journey to Escape! Andy Dufresne was innocent.  Michael J Fox was innocent.  Muhammad […]

Dear Doctors, I have a new prescription for you. It’s called improvisation via Yes, And…eXercise! (YAX!). You may have heard of improvisation, but you most likely haven’t tried it. And, even if you did try it or see it somewhere, it was probably in a performance-based form – which is sort of an off-label version […]

We owe big thanks to everyone who came out to the ballgame on Saturday, Sept. 15th to celebrate Yes, And…eXercise! We had over 30 friends and family in our suites, terrific food and we saw the home team Round Rock Chupacabras hit three home runs en route to a solid 7-3 thrashing of the visiting […]

We’ve all heard the riddle: A lost hiker caught by surprise with a fierce winter storm stumbles into an old trappers cabin. It is cold and light is fading fast. The freezing hiker looks around the interior and sees three items that could save his life: an oil lantern, a candle, and an old wood […]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a viperfish that prowls through my brain, attacking my neurons and depleting me of much-needed dopamine… It’s also the fastest growing neurological disease in the world and, according to the authors of Ending Parkinson’s Disease, a pandemic. For those who know me, you know that I may have Parkinson’s, but Parkinson’s […]

I hear you. Improvisation may sound scary, silly, perhaps even pointless. I can write furiously from where I am, as a decades-long performer and teacher, until I’ve bloodied my fingers. But nothing will change your mind until you open it. Improvisation must be experienced. So rather than me just telling you more, I’m going to […]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the thing that goes bump in the night. I can’t always see its physical effects, but I can always feel it there, lurking. It’s also the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world and, according to the authors of Ending Parkinson’s Disease, a pandemic. For those who know me, you know that […]

It’s time we got serious about Ending Parkinson’s disease – the book and the movement. My latest writing class with PD participants, “Day One: The Parkinson’s Prison and the Hero’s Journey to Escape” is 10 weeks into their 16-week journey and they are producing fantastic work that demands to be seen. Similar to the previous […]