For those who haven't tried both, it can be difficult to discern the differences between Pilates and yoga. At first glance, just looking at photos or videos circulating on social media, the two may seem indistinguishable, but in fact, there are many differences between Pilates and yoga.
While both Pilates and yoga can improve strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, there are several other similarities between Pilates and yoga, such as:
- Both Pilates and yoga are exercises for the mind and body.
- Both of these exercises emphasize the importance of breathing properly while exercising.
- Pilates and yoga do not require a lot of exercise equipment.
- Pilates and yoga can increase body strength and flexibility.
- Some of the movements in Pilates are also found in yoga, although with different names.
Although similar, there are fundamental differences between Pilates and yoga. When practicing yoga, you typically enter a pose and hold it for several seconds. In Pilates, you hold the pose and then move to engage your core muscles and stability, often by moving your arms or legs.
To find out more about the differences between Pilates and yoga, let's first get to know what Pilates and yoga are one by one.
What is Pilates?
The story of Pilates began with a child who was often ill, named Joseph Pilates, who was born in Germany in 1883. He wanted to improve his health by studying yoga, martial arts, and other physical exercises that involve the mind and body.
Joseph Pilates became more interested in bodywork during World War I, when he worked with wounded or injured soldiers. After the war, he brought this style of exercise to New York.
In the 1900s, Joseph Pilates developed Contrology, a form of physical exercise designed to help rehabilitate injured dancers and athletes, by correcting muscle imbalances and increasing the body's strength, stability, and flexibility.
Joseph Pilates also invented various equipment that could be used to further increase the intensity of the exercise. After Joseph Pilates' death, Contrology became known as Pilates.
Although physically Pilates is a mix of calisthenics, yoga, and ballet, the movements in Pilates can encourage the use of the mind to control the body.
Pilates movements require you to stabilize your core before moving on to more demanding exercises. While some Pilates studios use specially designed Pilates machines, you can also do Pilates on a mat without any special equipment.
Several studies have shown that Pilates can help with weight management. Pilates is also a valuable exercise to aid physical rehabilitation.
In one study that examined 23 studies, 17 of the studies found that Pilates can reduce pain and disability in individuals with a variety of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, scoliosis, and multiple sclerosis.
Pilates isn't considered an aerobic exercise, but it can help reduce stress, which is beneficial for heart health. In most cases, Pilates is safe for pregnant women, the elderly, and children.
If you are a beginner, then you need help from a certified Pilates instructor, so that you can do various Pilates movements correctly.
What is yoga?
Many of you are probably familiar with various yoga poses, but do you know the history of yoga? Yoga originated in India, and the practice has been around for over 5,000 years.
Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice that uses the body to connect with the mind and spirit. It is also practiced to build physical and mental strength and awareness.
The main principle of yoga is working with the chakras, which are seven energy points in your body. Practicing yoga can help stimulate and balance these chakras, and different poses can help address different chakras.
Yoga combines physical poses (asanas) with breathing techniques (pranayama) . Yoga is sometimes called meditation.
There are many types of yoga. Hatha yoga is a fairly common form. It has a slow pace and is suitable for beginners. Hatha yoga focuses on mindfulness, meditation, and proper posture.
Besides Hatha Yoga, there are several other types of yoga, such as Vinayasa Yoga, which incorporates rapid movements from one pose to the next, focusing on the connection between mind, body, and breath. In contrast, Yoga Nidra involves no movement at all; it is typically a deep meditative practice, often performed at the end of a yoga session.
Benefits of Pilates and Yoga
Regardless of the type, each version of yoga offers a variety of different benefits if you make it part of your physical exercise routine.
Although quite different, the benefits of Pilates and yoga are quite similar. Some of the benefits you can get from regularly practicing these exercises include:
Increase core strength
The benefits of Pilates and yoga are the same, they can strengthen several sets of muscles, including:
- Abdominal muscles
- Back muscles (especially the lower back)
- Shoulder and neck area muscles
- Pelvic muscles
- Glutes
However, the difference between Pilates and yoga isn't that it helps you gain muscle mass. Both Pilates and yoga can help tone muscles and improve your strength and flexibility.
Improve body posture
Whether you move from one pose to the next, or hold one pose for a long time, it benefits your entire body. By performing these movements, you'll maintain good posture, such as a straight back, a straight neck, and so on.
Whether you're lying on a mat, standing up straight, or bending forward, your posture will continue to improve as you practice Pilates or yoga regularly.
Relieve chronic pain
If you experience chronic lower back pain, Pilates and yoga can be beneficial in helping alleviate this condition. These exercises not only help build the strength you need to support your body, but also allow you to stretch problem areas that cause pain, such as the lower back.
Additionally, with the help of a certified instructor, Pilates and yoga can help with rehabilitation related to certain injuries.
Increase body flexibility
A consistent yoga practice can help improve flexibility, especially for those who complain of stiffness and inactivity. Stiffness can occur due to inactivity or lack of movement. Practicing Pilates or yoga can help stretch inactive muscles and also help you use them in various positions.
In addition, if you also regularly do strength training or lift weights, Pilates and yoga can help the recovery process for the muscles you use in strength training.
Now that you know the differences between Pilates and yoga, you can choose which exercise is right for you and your needs. Both Pilates and yoga can help improve strength and flexibility.
If you have an injury, pilates may be a better choice, but if your goal is to become more flexible, then you may find more benefit in doing yoga.
To complete your Pilates and yoga needs , you can find equipment for these two exercises at SVRG. We sell a variety of sports equipment, including Pilates and yoga, of the highest quality, ensuring comfort.
