According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the fall-induced traumatic brain injury death rate for people 80 and older increased by 60 percent between 1989 and 1998. Further, seniors who have fallen previously or who stumble frequently are two to three times more likely to fall within the year. The risks increase if you are a white female who has fallen previously or have lower body weakness, vision problems, or are taking more than four medications. In an unusual study, researchers from the School of Podiatric Medicine at Temple University found that females aged 65 or older can benefit from a specific form of Yoga called Iyengar. The yoga program used chairs and other props to help with body placement. After the nine-week program researchers found that participants had a faster gait, increased flexibility, improved single-leg stance and an increase in confidence in walking and balance. A profound difference in how weight was distributed on the bottom of the foot helped maintain balance. Jinsup Song, D.P.M., Ph.D., Director of the Gait Study Center at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, says, “People are gaining more confidence as they stand and walk at the end of the yoga intervention. People are more aware of their body posture. It [yoga] opens up a whole range of treatment options we didn’t think we had before.”