A new workout is promising to improve balance and prevents falls in older Americans.

It's called Tai Ji Quan and two times a week, this class is held at Tockwotton on the Waterfront Senior Living Community.

"When we know it's Tuesday and Thursday, we say, 'Oh, boy. I don't know if I should go'," said Carmela LaSalvia, who is known as Millie to her friends.

That's because while this class may not look so strenuous, Millie said it's hard work.

This Tai Ji Quan Moving for Better Balance program is something that's growing in popularity.

"I believe in this program. I love this program," said Michele Cornwell, Carelink wellness coordinator who also teaches the class. She said its benefits are well-documented.

"Fall reduction 58 percent among community dwelling adults. It actually goes up to 67 percent in people with Parkinson's," said Cornwell.

What it does is build strength and improve balance.

"Most importantly we work on the breath to make sure they're incorporating breath with movement," said Cornwell.

"When they introduced the program to us, I thought well, if I can improve my balance let me give it a try," said LaSalvia who began about four months ago.

"A month after class is when she started seeing remarkable results," added Cornwell.

"My breathing is better, my balance is not perfect because I'm 90 years old, so I can't have perfect balance, but it has helped considerably," said LaSalvia.

"I see that it's working. Everybody in this class has made remarkable progress. They couldn't do things without letting go when they first started and now, they're letting go, they're taking steps, it's beautiful," said Cornwell.