Most seniors prefer to age in the comfort of their own homes rather than in institutional care. One way to try to ensure this is to be as strong, mobile and independent as possible. However, accidental falls are a major safety hazard for seniors. Fortunately, tai chi movements can help them maintain a good sense of balance, as reported by the Fort Wayne Daily News.

Every year, about one-third of American adults aged 65 and older have an accidental fall, as estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These mishaps can cause head trauma, hip fractures and other health complications, making them the most common cause of injury-related mortality for this age group.

Exercises that promote balance, flexibility and strength can help seniors prevent falls. Dahn yoga and tai chi may be suitable regimens. That goes double when you consider that most adults do not get regular exercise, according to one senior care service.

"Many people who have already fallen simply stop exercising for fear of falling again," the Kingston Care Center wrote in a guest column. "Tai chi is a good example of a popular exercise that promotes balance and coordination."

The senior care service also recommended that elderly Americans discuss the side effects of medications with doctors, get their vision checked and clear their houses of falling hazards, such as loose carpeting or stray objects on the floor. Grab bars in the bathroom may also be helpful.

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Medical students may be accustomed to several teaching techniques: cadaver dissection, live patient simulations and so on. However, a growing number of medical schools are incorporating classes on complementary treatments such as tai chi in order to teach energy healing and the essentials of self care, according to a report in The Huffington Post.

During the last 10 years, the number of institutions teaching integrative medicine – which combines conventional and alternative therapies – has increased from eight to 51, according to the news source. This includes places like Harvard University, Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic.

Proponents believe that classes that teach yoga and tai chi not only help students feel better, but also give them a hands-on lesson on the value of these therapies.

"We're not cutting anything out from traditional medicine," said Delia Chiaramonte, University of Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine's director of professional education, as quoted by the news source. "We're adding to the toolbox."

Medical students who want to learn more about these mind-body regimens should look into Dahn Yoga and tai chi classes. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, about 2.3 million Americans were practicing tai chi as of 2007.

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Within any given three-month period, about 25 percent of American adults deal with back pain for at least one day, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. This makes it one of society's most common health problems. Now, a new study from Australia demonstrates how tai chi exercises can help alleviate back pain.

After seeing the positive results tai chi had on patients with arthritis in a previous trial, a team of scientists decided to assess the regimen's impact on back pain, according to Arthritis Today. They experimented on 160 individuals diagnosed with chronic lower back pain. About one-half of them were assigned to tai chi classes, while the rest continued their usual workout routines.

At the end of the 10-week trial, those who took tai chi experienced a 23 percent improvement in pain and a 32 percent reduction in disability.

"We would expect disability to improve because tai chi involves physical activity and exercise, and this would improve people's ability to do physical tasks around the house, sports, work, etc," said researcher Chris Maher, PhD.

Some experts say tai chi can help back pain by strengthening the core muscles, thereby lightening the load on the lumbar spine, and increasing mind-body awareness.

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Starting in January 2011, the earliest members of the baby boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964) began turning 65 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Ultimately, a person has been turning 65 every 15 to 30 seconds for the last year! With age can come potential health complications, but as some seniors are discovering, tai chi movements can help alleviate stress.

"I appreciate having the opportunity to help people get healthier," said Yvette Monet, a fitness instructor who teaches both tai chi and yoga, as quoted by The Newnan Times-Herald. "It makes it all worthwhile having someone in the class who can learn to feel more balanced and walk a little easier."

Monet teaches seniors, some of whom have lived with debilitating conditions such as cancer. She assures her students that it is not important to be perfect in these movements. Instead, pupils should focus on being present in the poses and feeling the healing energy, according to the news source.

There are many potential benefits of Dahn Yoga and tai chi. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the NIH, people who have practiced tai chi reported experiencing better muscle strength, flexibility, coordination and balance.

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Many people who practice Dahn Yoga want to help others who are less fortunate. While this could be anything from helping to ease pain or assist in dealing with one's mental capabilities. Due to this drive to help others, some people choose to enroll in healthcare degree programs in order to ease their way into the industry. The healthcare field currently happens to be experiencing high instances of hiring.

Stevens-Henager College announced that it will now offer three new online master's degree programs relating to the healthcare industry. Potential students can now enroll in healthcare administration, nursing administration and nursing education degree programs.

The courses will be offered online so that people who already have jobs but are looking to advance their careers can learn in their spare time.

However, many people may not realize that online learning takes a certain sense of self discipline, which is why it may be a good idea to meditate in order to channel one's mind. This could allow them to better put their focus into the task at hand.

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Dahn yoga has been linked to higher levels of mood in patients living with cancer. It is not uncommon for yoga to have pain-alleviating benefits.

One cancer survivor recently profiled in the news is Jean Hamilton. Hamilton is a member of the Relay for Life committee, as well as a cancer survivor, according to the Lufkin Daily News. What makes her story even more unusual is that Hamilton has survived cancer three times.

In 1999, Hamilton was diagnosed with breast cancer. She credits an early mammogram detection with saving her life. In 2004, doctors found colon cancer after a colonoscopy and in 2008, Hamilton's husband passed away from throat cancer. In 2010, Hamilton herself was diagnosed with throat cancer. However, none of these occurrences of cancer have stopped Hamilton from living her life.

"As you can see I’m still here, and I intend to keep active. I’m not going to sit around and have a pity party. It may come back in another place, but in the meantime I’m going to have a good time," said Hamilton.

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The ancient art of yoga has swept across the modern Western world, acquiring followers who have attested to its numerous benefits. The exercise, which blends relaxation, deep breathing and meditation to increase awareness of the body, has enabled many to achieve good health and serenity in the midst of a hectic world.

Now, the technique is being brought into prison environments to help improve mindfulness and relieve stress for inmates, according to CBS 5 News.

The Pitkin County Jail in Aspen, Colorado, is offering a program that encourages these individuals to meditate and reflect quietly, in an attempt to help them deal with the anxiety of incarceration.

Officials are hoping that the prison environment will become safer for both the staff and the inmates as a result of incorporating such an exercise into the daily routine. Additionally, they believe that the ancient practice will positively influence prisoners' behavior in the future.

The classes will be taught by two volunteers beginning on March 18, and staff members say that so far, inmates have seemed very receptive to the idea of practicing yoga.

Of course, the idea that yoga improves the individual physically, mentally and emotionally is nothing new. Techniques such as Dahn Yoga have enabled countless people all over the world to achieve their full potential.

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Every day, more people around the world are enjoying the many benefits of yoga. The regimen, which encourages deep breathing, meditation and relaxation is bringing inner peace and calm to the stressful lives of many.

Incorporating yogic practices, such as those in the art of Dahn Yoga, can enhance the mind-body connection and allow the spirit to effervesce from within.

"It is so important to find the time to take care of ourselves, not just physically, but the whole self: mental, emotional and spiritual aspects [as well]," said one yoga practitioner. "The heavy demands of modern life can distract us from carving out time to take care of our mind and body."

Indeed, the calming meditative postures and breathing techniques of yoga can instill a sense of well-being in one's heart and mind. This can lead to the strengthening of the body, the improvement of flexibility and the promotion of good health.

The benefits of yoga can be felt by anyone who makes time for meditation and relaxation each day. Taking care of oneself can lead to better relationships with family, friends and co-workers, as well as a better understanding of one's place in the ephemeral beauty of life. 

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