It seems that women 65 and older who enroll in an Iyengar yoga program are getting far more from their practice than a limber and relaxed body. According to a new study by Temple University’s Gait Study Center, certain Iyengar yoga poses also improve balance and stability and help prevent falls, a leading cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma in the elderly.

With one-third of adults suffering some type of fall each year, Iyengar yoga practice may provide multiple preventative benefits; it has been shown to improve stride, increase flexibility and muscle strength in the lower extremities, improve single leg stance, and increase confidence in walking. While learning proper ways to stand, pose and breathe, use of yoga props allows students to gradually master positions and build confidence in their physical prowess—an important factor for all ages.