Pilates and Yoga can “lengthen” and strengthen the body and spirit. As general practices both offer many important benefits for health and well-being. One less and the other more, respectively, give the body relief from stress, and the development of flexibility, strength, control, and endurance. There are many variations of both disciplines, but what connects them is mainly the work done and the focus of the mind on the breath.
Pilates and Yoga seem to be the same thing. But in reality, while they have some similar benefits, they have significantly different functions. In some places so different, in fact, that their followers have created competing camps.
PILATES
While Yoga’s roots stretch back thousands of years, Pilates is relatively a much newer creation of the 20th century. Joseph Pilates, a man of genius, created the system that bears his name in the 1920s after World War I. He originally thought of it as a way to rehabilitate wounded soldiers during World War I.
While he himself suffered from significant musculoskeletal conditions, which prompted him to delve deeper into creating his method. Of course, everything has evolved enormously since then, although the basic principles remain those founded by the legendary German.
Pilates focuses on the core but essentially strengthens the entire body. In PILATES I use various accessories such as GYMNASTIC MAT, GYMNASTIC RUBBERS, and foam roller but also larger equipment such as PILATES BED. Most Pilates exercises focus on small movements that require the use of important stabilizing muscles of the back and core. Even when the exercises focus on other parts of the body, it is the exerciser’s concentration on the core muscles that helps them perform correctly.
Pilates is not an exhausting exercise (like CrossFit) that leaves you completely exhausted at the end of the program. Instead, it leaves you with a sense of excess energy and a clear spirit, and a focused mind. In addition, Pilates as a form of exercise helps you to increase your metabolism, exercise, and get rid of toxins and excess weight.
Benefits of Pilates
- Increases muscle strength and endurance
- Improves flexibility
- Improves body posture
- Improves balance
- Reduces joint pain
- It relieves stress and anxiety
- Strengthens core muscles
YOGA
It is an integrated health management system that uses breath, movement, and meditation to unite the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga also includes elements of philosophy and spirituality, science, and an overall more ethical way of life. The courses have a very expanded mode of operation and are not only about relaxation exercises, as its “opponents” claim.
Indeed, there is a yoga class for everyone out there. From the various more traditional forms such as Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga, Vinyasa yoga to the creative and more special ones anti-gravity yoga, Hot yoga, and even yoga of laughter.
Yoga was created for women and men in India to unite individual mindfulness with the universe through physical exercise. Yoga was designed to improve our physical condition, emotional state, and mental state. There are historical references that take it at least 3,000 – 5,000 years back in time. Essentially, it has its roots in shamanism, Buddhism, and other Eastern religions, while its basic philosophy focuses on the following four directions:
- Relaxation – Calmness
- Exercise
- Breathing
- Positive thinking and meditation
Mindfulness and deep breathing are their main characteristics. Although there are many different types, bringing about balance and various ranges of motion are given options in most classes. Yoga can be considered a form of mind-body fitness.
It ideally mixes physical activity and careful focus on the thought. This brings about heightened awareness of breath and energy. The benefits of yoga have been studied extensively. Apart from the physical and mental, it is also known to have positive effects regarding medical matters.
WHICH OF THE TWO IS BETTER?
In general, Yoga helps deepen meditation techniques, and improve flexibility and balance. Pilates might be best if you’re recovering from an injury, want to improve your posture, and strengthen your core.
If your goal is to lose weight and burn fat then Pilates might be ideal, while if your goal is peace of mind and relaxation from stress then you might choose Yoga.
Yoga and Pilates are both great workouts. If you have a specific health problem, it may be best to consult with a trainer or doctor to determine what is best for you. Many forms of yoga require considerable flexibility and mobility of the joints, particularly the spine, hips, and wrists. Although most postures can be modified, a person with severe limitations or pain may find it difficult to follow along in more advanced classes.
Pilates can be a great exercise for older adults or those recovering from an injury because of the low-impact exercises and subtle movements. Equipment-based workouts use many of the same movements as a mat class, but with added resistance. Pilates is ideal for many people but can be more difficult for those with reduced mobility or low core strength. As with yoga, Pilates can be modified, but proper instruction and proper execution of the exercises are vital to avoid injury.
In general, Yoga and Pilates have a lot in common, as absolute discipline and concentration are required, while they can mainly help in terms of…
- The stress
- The depression
- Most forms of arthritis
- Respiratory dysfunctions
- High blood pressure
- Chronic pains
- Type 2 diabetes
Surely one would be better off choosing both techniques at the same time for greater benefits.
With different variations available in gyms and studios around the world, there is something for almost everyone. Yoga and Pilates are both low-impact (non-injury and safe) exercises that focus on using bodyweight resistance.
The benefits are huge. Both workouts can increase overall health, leading to a better quality of life. As with any exercise, proper execution of the exercises is vital. Modifications must be made for those with physical limitations, but ultimately perhaps the most important thing in deciding what to choose is simply what pleases them the most.
