Pilates or Yoga?

People entering the realm of body-mind exercise often wonder whether yoga or Pilates is better. Well, each has its benefits so the choice between yoga or Pilates does not need to be an either/or. Both have a lot to offer.

Yoga is a philosophy, a philosophy that encompasses much more than physical exercise. Yoga includes breathing, diet, morality, devotion, personal observances, concentration, control of the senses and more. All of these limbs of yoga are sometimes momentarily lost or forgotten, which is fine because these elements are still there whether we are aware of it or not. And the longer you practice, the greater the role of each limb will become.

A yoga practice is a lifetime practice that continues to build upon itself. In short, yoga can become a philosophical lifestyle that encompasses taking care of the body, others and the earth. Yoga's history goes back thousands of years.

Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates, the son of a gymnast and a naturopath. Mr. Pilates was a health guru born in Germany in 1883. Through the course of his life he studied anatomy, perfected physical fitness and trained many, many people include police and ballerinas. Mr. Pilates developed a philosophy that you cannot build muscles effectively while also undergoing rigorous aerobic exercise. This is where yoga and Pilates gain similarities. Many Pilates movements are based on a yogic foundation in that they are mindful movements coordinated with the breathing.

Yoga classes can vary wildly, in a good way, which means there is a yoga style for every person at every stage of life. Pilates can also be adapted; however, there is more continuity in knowing what to expect from a Pilates session. Even between a mat Pilates class and Pilates Reformer class, the big machines, the movements are pretty much the same.

In yoga, you will spend more time focusing on the thoughts and emotions that accompany physical movement. While in Pilates, you will spend more time focused on the breath and keeping the core engaged or the "powerhouse" tight.

In Pilates, you will spend more time focusing strengthening the core. A Pilates workout is all about keeping the core muscles engaged, which results in a deep-down toning that is hard to get in other workouts, especially in highly aerobic workouts. The conscious, thoughtful control with which Pilates exercises are performed may seem subtle at the time, but it does not take much to notice a difference.

While both practices can be vigorous Pilates tends to be more focused on the "physical" and yoga tends to focus more on the physical and non-physical. It is important to note that not one is better than the other. They are just different and each brings you a clear benefit.

Both yoga and Pilates build self-awareness of the body, breath, posture and core strength. Both yoga and Pilates can be adapted to your physical needs. There is much wisdom behind both of these disciplines, and the consistent practitioner will benefit from spending time with both.