Forward leg lift

Keep your arms down at your sides. Lift one leg slightly off the floor and hold it for five seconds. Repeat at least five times, and then switch to the other leg.

Here are some safety tips and suggestions for progressing with this exercise and those that follow:

• If you need to, hold onto a table, a wall, a heavy chair or a kitchen countertop with one hand when you start doing the exercises. When you feel more certain of your balance, try balancing yourself by placing only a fingertip on the surface.

• Next try the exercises without holding on at all. Ask a friend or family member to watch you in case you're unsteady.

• Once you're steady on your feet without holding on, try doing these exercises with your eyes closed.

Forward toe touch

Place your feet about a shoulder-width apart. Raise your hands to your shoulders with your palms facing forward. Extend your left arm and place your right foot forward, pointing down with your toes and touching the floor. Return to starting position and do the same with the opposite arm and foot. Repeat at least five times.

Stand on one leg

Place your feet about shoulder-width apart. Extend your arms straight in front of you. Lift your right leg and bend it back. Hold for five seconds. Repeat five more times and switch legs.

As you improve, try to incorporate one-leg standing as much as possible throughout the day. For example, stand on one leg while you're doing the dishes, reading the newspaper or watching TV. The more you do it, the more you can improve your stability.

Tai chi

Tai chi is a noncompetitive, self-paced system of gentle physical exercise. To do tai chi, you stand and perform a defined series of postures or movements in a slow, graceful manner. Each movement or posture flows into the next without pausing.

Studies suggest that tai chi may improve balance and help prevent falls in older adults. A 2003 study shows that long-term tai chi practitioners have improved knee joint stability, which aids in balance.

Although tai chi is generally safe, consider talking with your doctor before signing up for a class. This is particularly true if you have any problems with your joints, spine or heart.