Poses can prevent falls

“I’ve never been one for exercise,” said the West Philadelphia native. “But I started attending the classes, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I really did want to make an effort to get healthy, so I kept at it.”

Now, even after the program, Brown continues her regimen at the B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga Studio of Philadelphia, under the direction of Garfinkel, an adjunct associate professor at the School of Medicine.

“I feel more centered now. I have more confidence when I walk, and I’m able to walk further for longer periods of time,” Brown said.

Researchers also found that some participants, like Brown, who had unrelated back and knee pain at baseline, were pain-free by the end of the study.

“I’ve had that pain for years,” Brown said. “And during one session, I heard a ‘pop’ and was sure I wouldn’t be able to get up. But I did, and I felt better than I had in years.”

In addition to improving balance and stability, Song notes that participation in a group setting, such as an Iyengar yoga class, could have positive psychological effects for the elderly, as well.

“Throughout the program, participants consistently noted that they had a better outlook on their day-to-day lives,” he said. “The class gave them something to look forward to; they found it engaging, and said that if they couldn’t attend a class, they definitely missed it.”

“This program has been amazing,” said Brown, who now spends up to six hours a week practicing Iyengar yoga. “They’re really onto something with it. It’s made a tremendous difference in my quality of life.”

“The bottom line is, people want to stay active as long as possible,” Song said. “This can help elderly women maintain their mobility and independence, in several ways.”

Song noted that this preliminary information will pave the way for a larger study on how Iyengar yoga affects the function of the foot to improve balance and stability and prevent falls.

Other researchers on this study are Roberta Newton, P.T., Ph.D., of Temple University’s College of Health Professions; and Ji Su Yun, B.A., Benjamin Heilman, M.S., and Emilie Zoltick, B.A., of the Gait Study Center at Tempe University. Funding was provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Development at Temple University.