Improve balance and prevent falls.
This 12-week, evidence-based program uses the ancient practice of tai chi to help members:
- Build strength
- Improve balance
- Discover peace and support mental wellness
- Provide more confidence in doing everyday activities
Moving for Better Balance is primarily for:
- Community-living older adults who are age 65 or older, physically mobile with impaired stability and/or mobility, or
- Adults age 45 or older who have a chronic condition that may affect stability and/or mobility
Moving for Better Balance is conducted in a small group setting of 10-12 adults, providing a safe and comfortable environment. Sessions take place twice a week for 60 minutes, and continue for 12 weeks.
This program begins with learning the easy and basic forms of tai chi. Participants progress to more challenging forms as they improve in their practice.
Moving for Better Balance combines an eight-form routine and a subroutine of eight integrated therapeutic movement forms that have been derived from the traditional 24-form Yang style of tai chi.
This program encourages participants to learn tai chi so they may practice with our groups as well as at home. Participants receive:
- An instruction book with lesson plans
- Tips on creating a safer home environment to prevent falls
- Weekly instructions for a new 30-minute routine for participants to do at home
- Improved social and mental well-being
- Better balance and physical performance
- More confidence in conducting daily activities
- Reduced risk of falling and sustaining fall injuries
- Improved overall health
- Maintained independence and improved quality of life
- Lower blood pressure
- Better sleep quality
- Increased cardiovascular and respiratory function
Many scientific studies have demonstrated that Moving for Better Balance is effective in improving balance and reducing falls.
The course challenges limitations in balance and gait and addresses these limitations through a set of controlled, progressively designed exercises.
Our instructors give individual attention to each participant. This fosters a strong coach-participant relationship and outstanding results. This approach reliably increases balance and reduces the frequency of falls among older adults.
This program has been recognized by multiple national entities as a proven way to reduce the risk of falling. These entities include, but are not limited to:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Council on Aging
- U.S. Administration on Aging
- Administration for Community Living
Testimonials
See what our participants say about the benefits of Moving for Better Balance.
"It saved my life."
Before this program, I was becoming increasingly afraid of falling as by body became more unsteady. The program has increased my confidence in walking in and around my home and community and I am now fall free!
"I can live life to its fullest again."
As I approached age 60 my once-athletic body seemed to be falling apart. I gave up hope that I would ever be pain free, and accepted this must be what aging looks like...Now I'm playing golf, gardening, and hiking, pain free, and feel stronger and healthier than I have in 10 years.
Ready to get started?
The Y offers Moving for Better Balance at multiple locations throughout the year. Look for a class near you.