Yes, and Exercise

Yes, and Exercise

YAX Improvisation is a transformative, fun, group exercise, engaging body, mind and community.

We play online improvisation to improve mood, build ensemble and help participants engage in rediscover their creativity. Our focus is on collaborative, positive, and supportive interactions. We laugh a lot - but never at anyone else's expense (we don't tell jokes!).

01/11/2024

What up with that?

28/10/2024

We're talking about KingCon, the first-ever Stephen King Convention, held in Las Vegas between Oct.24-27 2024. This is a multi-dose conversation as a LOT of cool stuff happened...Enjoy! And if you were there and would like to share your stories, please reach out to Robert via our website, www.yesandexercise.org.

Who is this show for? Short answer: everyone. Is there something we're not talking about that we should? Let us know and be the guest that shines the light on what we're missing!

Robert and Susan are the creators of the Daily Dose form an interesting duo. Robert is a longtime care partner for his father with Parkinson's disease (PD). Susan is a woman who was diagnosed with PD in 2015. They've both made award-winning films about their experiences with PD and are now co-founders of the non-profit, YAX! - www.yesandexercise.com.

The mission of YAX! is to provide a safe, fun and kind place for people with and affected by Parkinson’s disease to connect, empower and enhance their lives through improvisation.

That's right: improvisation. We play - mostly online so we can get as many people as we can from as many places as we can. We do not charge. We do accept donations from those who wish to pay it forward.

Robert earned his PhD from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is researching the effect of improvisation on PD and the results of his clinical trials can be found at his website, www.yesandexercise.org.

Join us for fun, laughter and your daily dose of dope(-amine).

Acceptance: A Hero's Journey through Parkinson's and a PhD 28/10/2024

Our first Amazon review is in for Acceptance and it's lovely. If you haven't ordered your copy yet, please check out this review and consider clicking the link below to get yours.

"This book is a thoroughly honest telling of the author’s heroic journey through his PhD program, in which he draws parallels between the major obstacles he faced getting academia to listen to his “non-traditional” approach, and the difficulties faced by people with Parkinson’s (PWP), who are often marginalized, don’t feel heard, and become isolated in self-inflicted prisons of fear. Facing his own isolation in his PhD program at the height of the Covid pandemic, Robert Cochrane developed two novel programs based on improvisation and storytelling for people within the Parkinson’s community. These successful writing programs have helped PWP accept their diagnoses while they tell their stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. Robert Cochrane’s work has broken down the barriers of isolation and depression faced by people with Parkinson’s, has given them increased confidence, improved communication skills, and the ability to look at their future in a more positive light. Say “yes” to this book, and you’ll be glad you did."

Acceptance: A Hero's Journey through Parkinson's and a PhD Acceptance: A Hero's Journey through Parkinson's and a PhD

Have fun. You belong. 22/10/2024

We just completed another session of Cinema Therapy. This curriculum featured the film, Inside Out. We'd love to have you join us. https://wix.to/pVkWG5D
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Have fun. You belong. We just completed a wonderfully (and appropriately emotional) Cinema Therapy session featuring the Pixar classic, Inside Out. Participants who have been through other Cinema Therapy classes several times had beautiful things to say about their hero's journey: • I learned through the power of failu...

19/10/2024

We're talking with Terri, a.k.a. Joy - at least, that's a piece of her when she's brave enough to show her Inside Out. Terri made a tremendous presentation at the 2024 annual PANC conference where she shared some of the emotional and psychosocial sides of living with PD. We discuss what she did, how she did it and what's next. Check out the blog from the day of the event here: https://www.yesandexercise.org/post/i-wouldn-t-be-here-without-you.

Who is this show for? Short answer: everyone. Is there something we're not talking about that we should? Let us know and be the guest that shines the light on what we're missing!

Robert and Susan are the creators of the Daily Dose form an interesting duo. Robert is a longtime care partner for his father with Parkinson's disease (PD). Susan is a woman who was diagnosed with PD in 2015. They've both made award-winning films about their experiences with PD and are now co-founders of the non-profit, YAX! - www.yesandexercise.com.

The mission of YAX! is to provide a safe, fun and kind place for people with and affected by Parkinson’s disease to connect, empower and enhance their lives through improvisation.

That's right: improvisation. We play - mostly online so we can get as many people as we can from as many places as we can. We do not charge. We do accept donations from those who wish to pay it forward.

Robert earned his PhD from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is researching the effect of improvisation on PD and the results of his clinical trials can be found at his website, www.yesandexercise.org.

Join us for fun, laughter and your daily dose of dope(-amine).

17/10/2024

Very excited to be on the Dollar Baby panel at the first ever KingCon next week at the Linq in Las Vegas. Here's more information if you happen to be in Vegas and would like to join us: https://www.kingconinfo.com

03/10/2024

Today we're talking with Karen, who is a long time Oakland A's fan. She is writing a screenplay through our Cinema Therapy classes that includes both growing up in and around baseball and the very sad last game at the Coliseum on Sept. 26, 2024.

Who is this show for? Short answer: everyone. Is there something we're not talking about that we should? Let us know and be the guest that shines the light on what we're missing!

Robert and Susan are the creators of the Daily Dose form an interesting duo. Robert is a longtime care partner for his father with Parkinson's disease (PD). Susan is a woman who was diagnosed with PD in 2015. They've both made award-winning films about their experiences with PD and are now co-founders of the non-profit, YAX! - www.yesandexercise.com.

The mission of YAX! is to provide a safe, fun and kind place for people with and affected by Parkinson’s disease to connect, empower and enhance their lives through improvisation.

That's right: improvisation. We play - mostly online so we can get as many people as we can from as many places as we can. We do not charge. We do accept donations from those who wish to pay it forward.

Robert earned his PhD from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is researching the effect of improvisation on PD and the results of his clinical trials can be found at his website, www.yesandexercise.org.

Join us for fun, laughter and your daily dose of dope(-amine).

I wouldn't be here without you 28/09/2024

I wouldn't be here without you - check out our new blog that shows Joy in a whole new light. https://wix.to/PByOKbp
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I wouldn't be here without you One of my Cinema Therapy students, Terri Van Bibber, said those beautiful words to me after doing her fantastic presentation at the Parkinson's Association of Northern California (PANC) conference on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. Terri presented as Joy - literally. She took our Turning Parkinson’s dis...

OKLND - The A’s are gone 27/09/2024

OKLND - the A's are gone. https://wix.to/mAP9HV7

OKLND - The A’s are gone When I picked up my dad on the morning of the A’s final game in the Oakland Coliseum, I asked how he was feeling. In what has become his typical way, he shrugged, looked away and didn’t really say anything. My dad is an A’s fan. He’s just one of those A’s fans that has largely said his goo...

New Blog Post 25/09/2024

We are all unwritten. Check out my new blog to see you can explore, discover and share your story.

New Blog Post Unwritten

20/09/2024

Looking for a few A’s fans to interview

As you probably know, Thursday, September 26th will be the final game at the Oakland Coliseum for the Oakland A’s. 56 years of history, tradition and families are being ripped away. As a lifelong A’s fan, this is terribly sad for me and my father. We’ve shared a ton of memories with the A’s, including the work in our documentary series, Boys of Summer (www.bosmovie.com).

I’d like to interview a few A’s fans who are going to the final game before they go, then again afterward to hear about their experiences. Portions of these interviews would, potentially, go in the next Boys of Summer film, which I plan to release on Father’s Day 2025. The interviews will likely be brief and simple - how long you’ve been a fan, favorite memory at the Coliseum, favorite A’s team/game/player and how you feel about them leaving. The after-game questions will be about what you saw and felt being in the building for the final game.

If you’re interested, please leave a message below or PM me.

Thank you,

Robert Cochrane, PhD
Director/Producer, Boys of Summer (documentary)

19/09/2024

Nicole Byrne, a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist (LFMT) is both my cousin and a very cool person. Here's her professional website: https://counselingwithnicole.com/. I encourage you to check out her website.

Today we're talking about the Shawshank Hero's Journey in our Cinema Therapy classes. Nicole is currently enrolled in a class (Sept. 2024) and is sharing her experiences with it.

Who is this show for? Short answer: everyone. Is there something we're not talking about that we should? Let us know and be the guest that shines the light on what we're missing!

Robert and Susan are the creators of the Daily Dose form an interesting duo. Robert is a longtime care partner for his father with Parkinson's disease (PD). Susan is a woman who was diagnosed with PD in 2015. They've both made award-winning films about their experiences with PD and are now co-founders of the non-profit, YAX! - www.yesandexercise.com.

The mission of YAX! is to provide a safe, fun and kind place for people with and affected by Parkinson’s disease to connect, empower and enhance their lives through improvisation.

That's right: improvisation. We play - mostly online so we can get as many people as we can from as many places as we can. We do not charge. We do accept donations from those who wish to pay it forward.

Robert earned his PhD from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is researching the effect of improvisation on PD and the results of his clinical trials can be found at his website, www.yesandexercise.org.

Join us for fun, laughter and your daily dose of dope(-amine).

Deadpool DayOne 14/09/2024

Alright Deadpool fans, let me know what you think:

Deadpool DayOne Ryan Reynolds did plenty of work before Deadpool but nothing had this level of impact. Unapologetically profane, vile and violent, Deadpool also has a heart....

12/09/2024

We're talking Deadpool and how his story might relate to the Parkinson's community. Here's the link with more about Cinema Therapy and how you can join the class: https://www.yesandexercise.org/deadpool.

Who is this show for? Short answer: everyone. Is there something we're not talking about that we should? Let us know and be the guest that shines the light on what we're missing!

Robert and Susan are the creators of the Daily Dose form an interesting duo. Robert is a longtime care partner for his father with Parkinson's disease (PD). Susan is a woman who was diagnosed with PD in 2015. They've both made award-winning films about their experiences with PD and are now co-founders of the non-profit, YAX! - www.yesandexercise.com.

The mission of YAX! is to provide a safe, fun and kind place for people with and affected by Parkinson’s disease to connect, empower and enhance their lives through improvisation.

That's right: improvisation. We play - mostly online so we can get as many people as we can from as many places as we can. We do not charge. We do accept donations from those who wish to pay it forward.

Robert earned his PhD from the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He is researching the effect of improvisation on PD and the results of his clinical trials can be found at his website, www.yesandexercise.org.

Join us for fun, laughter and your daily dose of dope(-amine).

They Call Me Sherpa Andy 04/09/2024

They call me Sherpa Andy - as in Andy Dufresne; as in the . If you're one of the millions that have helped make Shawshank Redemption the #1 rated film on IMDB since 2008, come see what you haven't seen in the film yet: You. Registration closes on Sunday, Sept.8th. Sign up today! https://wix.to/CUM6JEE
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They Call Me Sherpa Andy And I’m on a hunt for stories. Your stories. However this is not the story you know, it’s the one you don’t yet. This is the one you’re willing to go on an adventure to find. It’s a hero’s journey and I can say with great confidence I can help get you there. That doesn’t mean I know th...

Acceptance & Shawshank 27/08/2024

The new book, Acceptance, will be released on Friday, Aug. 30. Preorder today and join us online for a reading of a chapter and to get your personalized dedication in your copy.

Acceptance & Shawshank This Friday, Aug. 30 at 12 noon, we will have the online book signing for Acceptance. Robert will read a chapter and answer your questions. Register here to get the link and join the celebration. Acceptance is an inspirational story of power, institutions, and resilience. You can download a free pre...

Cinema Therapy 24/08/2024

Do you love movies? I do, too. What if I told you there's more of you in them than you currently know? https://wix.to/pY5AlX4

Cinema Therapy Do you love movies? I do, too. It has grown from a fascination to a passion to nearly an obsession for me. As a teen I loved going to the theater. As a student at UCLA I learned how to write screenplays. As a doctor I’ve now learned how to take entire films apart and offer them as therapy. The Day...

Dolphins share waves with surfers at Rincon! 24/08/2024

Some people wonder why I love riding waves so much. Because they do, too.

Dolphins share waves with surfers at Rincon!

Celebrating Shawshank's 30th and Exploring the Parkinson's Prison 2024-08-23 21:04:35 24/08/2024

The Shawshank Hero's Journey - come see what's in it for you.

Celebrating Shawshank's 30th and Exploring the Parkinson's Prison 2024-08-23 21:04:35 We look at The Shawshank Redemption, the number one film on IMDB for the last 16 years. It recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and we attended the festi...

The Acceptance of Shawshank 23/08/2024

Shawshank has been the #1 film on IMDB since 2008 because of what's in it for us: we know the feeling of being treated unfairly and desperately want redemption and freedom. Andy gives that to us and more. Join us for a conversation on why the film continues to mean so much.

The Acceptance of Shawshank My new book, Acceptance, is available for pre-order. We will have an online book signing party next Friday, Aug. 30th at noon pacific. You can register to join us by clicking here.

What I Didn't Say: A Journey Through Parkinson's — LL Productions 21/08/2024

"What I didn't say" is a fantastic play by Matthew Moore, a young onset person with Parkinson's disease (PD). I'm very glad to have developed a friendship with Matthew to understand him and the tremendous value of his work to help people understand PD is NOT just a movement disorder. The PD world desperately needs more artistic presence and voices of the people affected by it. We need to understand and provide better resources for the significant emotional and psychosocial challenges of PD. You can rent a recording of the play via Michael's website: https://www.lampandlightproductions.com/parkinsons-play

He will be developing his play into a screenplay for film adaptation in our next online writing class, "The Shawshank Hero's Journey". This class is open to everyone. I hope you'll join us to be part of Matthew's journey and to explore, write and share your story: https://www.yesandexercise.org/shawshankhj

Finally, if you'd like to see a set of interviews we did, please check out the five-minute "Your Daily Dose of Dopamine" webcasts: https://www.yesandexercise.org/projects-2

What I Didn't Say: A Journey Through Parkinson's — LL Productions Information & Booking: Get a front-row seat to the roller-coaster life of a Parkinson’s patient. Paul, the PD patient, and his wife, Marty, must try to navigate the occasional highs and the crushing lows of a neurogenerative disease that never relents.

Andy’s Acceptance 20/08/2024

The Shawshank Redemption has been the number one film on IMDB since August 2008. If it's one of your favorites, you owe it to yourself to find out why. Come explore the film in The Shawshank Hero's Journey - a dynamic online group writing class. https://wix.to/PqybPF5
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Andy’s Acceptance In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne is technically an innocent man. He did not kill his wife nor her lover who she was cheating with. But as he learns, being technically innocent does not protect you from the indignities, monsters and dumb luck of life - particularly in prison. When Andy firs...

14/08/2024

An award-winning play, Shawshank's 30th anniversary and more https://wix.to/XxHhxIl,

wix.to

11/08/2024

Spectacular close to a phenomenal weekend in Mansfield, OH celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Shawshank Redemption. From left to right; Ben Mankiewicz (Turner Classic Movies), Frank Darabont (Writer/Director), Bob Gunton (Warden Norton), Clancy Brown (Captain Hadley), William Sadler (Heywood), Gil Bellows (Tommy), Mark Rolston (Bogs).

To all our Shawshank fans, please check out so we can break out of the Parkinson's prison: https://www.yesandexercise.org/shawshankhj

Videos (show all)

Boys of Summer: Short Stop