PULSE.

Byline: Mariko Thompson

FITNESS ZONE: The hyperkinetic Denise Austin returns with a resistance band workout that combines muscle toning moves with heart-pumping cardio. ``Denise Austin Power Zone'' (Lions Gate; DVD $19.98, VHS $14.98) comes with a stretchy red resistance band that's fun to swing during the more dancy segments of the 25-minute cardio workout. There's an uneven patch in the kickboxing segment, where the music and the movements aren't quite in sync. ``Power Zone'' also includes 30 minutes of strength training for upper body, lower body and abs. Fans of the peppy Austin can sign up for her daily newsletter, ``The Morning Stretch,'' at www.deniseaustin.com.

STRESS MANAGEMENT: Relaxing takes practice. Since many of his patients had to relearn how to relax, Dr. Jay Winner began hosting seminars on slowing down, reframing negative thoughts, and managing anger and frustration. Winner, who runs a family practice in Santa Barbara, has packaged the lessons from those seminars, along with eight meditation exercises on accompanying CDs, in ``Stress Management Made Simple'' (Blue Fountain Press; $34.95). Health conditions from acne to heart disease to depression can be aggravated by stress, says Winner. Learning how to manage stress can go a long way in maintaining health.

FUNDAMENTALS OF AGING: Caregivers of aging parents often are confronted with questions about which changes are normal and which ones require expert assessment. ``The Merck Manual on Health and Aging'' (Merck Research Laboratories; $29.95) helps families navigate the challenges of the senior years. The guide reviews common medical ailments, provides handy tips on how to choose a walker, and even contains a primer on Medicare. The manual breaks up the vast amount of information with 25 commentaries, including one by children's book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak.

YOGA FOR HOMEBODIES: Not all serious students of yoga can afford to take classes every day. But it can be daunting to design your own hourlong routine at home. Rodney Yee, a former ballet dancer turned celebrity yoga instructor, moves yoga from the studio into the home with his eight-week program, ``Moving Toward Balance'' (Rodale; $22.95), written with Nina Zolotow. The postures are illustrated with more than 300 color photographs. Yee starts with yoga props and determining the best place to practice in your home. The exercises become progressively more challenging, taking students from basic standing postures to head stands in a few short weeks.

FAMILY FUN: KNBC 4 and Telemundo 52 will host the Health and Fitness Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The free event offers all kinds of screening tests, fitness demonstrations and health seminars. You can check your blood pressure, climb a rock wall and learn how to cook healthy meals. Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso, better-known as Bo and Hope Brady on ``Days of Our Lives,'' will make separate appearances at the expo. Reckell will be at the KNBC/Telemundo booth from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Alfonso will appear at the booth from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. The Convention Center is located at 1201 S. Figueroa St. in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.nbc4.tv/healthexpo/index.html.

CAPTION(S):

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(1) no caption (``Denise Austin Power Zone'')

(2) no caption (book: ``Stress Management Made Simple'')

(3) no caption (book: ``The Merck: Manual on Health and Aging'')

(4) no caption (book: ``Moving Toward Balance'')

(5) RECKELL

(6) ALFONSO