Comparing Pilates versus Yoga

Written by Glenn

Sunday, 26 October 2008

To someone who practices Pilates often, Yoga may be an easy supplemental exercise. On the other hand, to someone who practices yoga, Pilates could add a bit of flavor to their otherwise normal routine. Both yoga and Pilates are exercise techniques that go beyond your muscle strength and work towards bringing your mind and body into alignment with one another. While yoga and Pilates have slightly different techniques and exercises, they work well in conjunction with one another, as both have similar goals. Full Story by weightloss-hq.biz below.

Pilates Overview

To begin with, Pilates is a form of exercise that works toward putting your whole body in balance. Strength and flexibility are two pieces of the puzzle, but your mental balance is also a challenge. Pilates works not only on your muscles, but also on making sure you are mentally aware, but also relaxed. There are six basic principals of Pilates: Centering, Concentration, Control, Precision, Breath and Flow. All of these principals put your mind and body a little bit closer to working in perfect harmony. Pilates teaches you to move your body using as little effort as possible, but in a very precise way. All of this is done by working primarily on the core of your body. Unlike other exercises, Pilates focuses on working out the center portion of your body, and focusing less on the strength of your arms or legs individually. For this exercise routine to work for you, you must understand that it is going to work from the inside out, and you can not expect to see an immediate change in muscle mass at any one point on your body.

Yoga Overview

Yoga is another form of exercise that works to bring your mind, body and spirit into union. However, yoga is not just a form of exercise. It is a lifestyle that must be committed to. Yoga involves changing your eating habits, changing your recreational habits, and spending a lot more time concentrating on your mental and physical health. To some people, yoga may be a bit overwhelming at first, and it is often misunderstood as a fanatical religion. You should know that while Yoga has a set philosophical system, it is not a religion unto itself. Rather, it is a set of philosophies that should compliment any religious beliefs you already hold. It is similar to Pilates in that the focus of yoga is concentration and discipline in all of your movements. By slowing you down, making you feel the movements you make, and relaxing your breathing, your body will be more in harmony than ever before.

Pilates and Yoga Similarities

Yoga and Pilates are similar in many ways, which is why they should be practiced together to bring you the absolute most benefit possible. With the six principals of Pilates, and the philosophical mindset of yoga, your mind should be both focused and relaxed while performing these exercises. Despite the fact that the poses used in each system are different, they have the same goal and they both work by making you move slowly and with as much precision as possible. Notice that none of the exercises practiced in yoga or Pilates are sudden or sloppy. That would defeat the purpose. Ultimately, both forms of exercise are focused on making you healthier by way of improving the way you live overall, rather than just adding a few extra pushups after work. They both work to improve your mental and physical health, though they have different priorities.

Differences between Pilates and Yoga

On the other hand, there are many differences between yoga and Pilates as well. The most fundamental difference between the two is that while Pilates involves both your mind and your body, Yoga adds a spiritual touch to the equation. This should not deter you from practicing yoga if you have different religious beliefs, as the spiritual suggestions of yoga can easily be adapted to work with almost any religious sect. Physically, the two forms of exercise have a slightly different focus, which is why they work so well together. Pilates works from the inside out, focusing on the center or core portion of your body to give you the most strength out toward your limbs. Meanwhile, yoga focuses on bringing your entire body into balance, which means working on flexibility and strength all the way out to your fingers and toes as well as in your core. Yoga is a very slow exercise that attempts to bring you into balance by holding you in one position for extended periods of time. Pilates works by moving you in ways that will add strength and stability to the core of your body. When put together, the two exercises compliment one another in almost every way, by working on building up your core, and then using yoga to raise the rest of your body and mind to the same level.

Which is Right For You, Pilates or Yoga?

If you only have time for one or the other, the choice may come down to your personal goals. If you want to appear toned and strengthened, Pilates will probably be your exercise of choice. However, if you are looking for a way to become more relaxed and flexible, yoga could be the answer. Before you make a final decision you should try a few Pilates DVDs or Yoga DVDs of each or go visit a few gyms and classes to see which one appeals to you most. A lot of difference can be made just by working with different people on different levels, so don’t assume that all yoga classes are exactly like the first yoga class you looked at, and the same with Pilates.

Whether or not you have already begun practicing yoga, Pilates can still show you an even further improvement. Likewise, if you have already begun Pilates, yoga could be an extra special supplement. There are many similarities and differences between the two, and that is exactly what makes them so great when they are put together. By combining the mental, physical and spiritual aspects of your health into your everyday workout routine, Yoga and Pilates make you both physically stronger as well as more mentally balanced and in control.