Sedentary older adults are at risk of decreased physical function and maladaptation to aging that may lead to loss of independence. Sign Chi Do (SCD) is a mind-body approach that has multiple health benefits including improving strength and balance. The Roy Adaptation Model guided the design of a 12 week intervention that tested the effects of SCD exercise compared to a sedentary wait-list control group on physiologic and self-concept adaptation among sedentary community dwelling adults over 55. 67 older adults (mean age = 74.46, SD = 8.15) were recruited and randomized to the SCD or control group. Measurement of physiologic adaptation (Timed Up & Go [TUG], 6-minute walk [6-MW], weekly physical activity [PA], pedometer steps, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) and self-concept adaptation (Functional Assessment of Chronic Disease Spiritual-wellbeing [FACIT-SP] and Exercise Self-efficacy [ESE]) were completed at baseline (T1), 6 and 12 weeks (T2 and T3). Physiologic adaptation improved over time for three measures while self-concept adaptation did not. The TUG and PA scores improved significantly from T1 to T3 for the intervention group (actual change -2.53, p = .000 and 1512.71, p = .001 respectively). There was a significant between group difference of 271.36 feet walked for the 6-MW at T3, p = 0.02. The self-concept measures were high at baseline and higher baseline FACIT-SP scores were associated with faster 6-MW, more PA, and higher ESE. These results indicate that the theory based SCD intervention improved measures of balance and physical function among sedentary older adults.