Nothing compares to the carefree days of summer, but whether we are students, teachers, or parents, this time of year can also bring with it the refreshing sense of a new start. With children returning to school, you may find extra quiet time to focus on yourself. Read about various methods of alternative fitness throughout this month's newsletter, some of which put valuable emphasis on engaging both the mind and the body. This month's Community Voice and book review feature Matthew Sanford who, through yoga, found renewed strength in his mind-body relationship after an accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down. The FITT column discusses NIA, a fitness and lifestyle practice using expressive movement to empower people to achieve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Additionally, and in the wake of the 17th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit the Information Specialist's Desk for key resources on accessibility in physical activity and fitness environments.

Send your questions and comments to Blythe Hiss, NCHPAD News Editor, at sbonne2@uic.edu.