Is Yoga Or Pilates More Suitable For You?

Pilates or Yoga, which one benefits you more? The easiest way to make a choice is to try out both of them! Attending trial classes allow you to experience the exercise and you can decide from there. Both Pilates and Yoga give you good workout and it depends on your personal preferences as well as fitness objectives to choose one over the other.

Yoga started centuries back in the east. It is a mindful, meditative form of exercise. It is about living a balanced, peaceful life and therefore is considered therapeutic. A German, Joseph Pilates, started the Pilates repertoire in the west, focusing on breathing, control and physical strength. By using Pilates equipment as such the 'Reformer" and "Cadillac", Pilates exercises help to stretch and strengthen the body and encourage coordination between different muscles that stabilize the body.

Pilates exercises with equipment are somewhat similar to weight training in certain aspects compared to Yoga. Pilates exercises with equipment involve moving against resistance caused by the springs attached to the equipment. On the other hand, Pilates mat focuses more on building core strength and flexibility, and is more similar to Yoga since the focus is on the physical change. As for Yoga, it includes many styles and may require extra props such as blocks, straps and blankets.

Both methods require stamina physically and mentally. Different Yoga poses may be chosen to meet certain needs such as increasing flexibility and strength of joints or to enhance healing. Yoga practices may involve meditation and reflection although its focus is still on coordinating the breath and movement. Pilates class also seeks the same fitness goals but in a different way. It consists of a series of controlled movements and the main difference is that Pilates exercises incorporate work on the Pilates equipment, not only on the matwork. Pilates strengthens the core muscles, allowing one to gain a better awareness of his or her body posture and helps to stabilize and lengthen the spine. It gives you a long and lean body line. Simply put, both Pilates and Yoga build strength and flexibility. The focus is on the arms, legs, abdomen and back. The key difference between Pilates and Yoga is more philosophical.

So, which one will you choose? Pilates or Yoga? Your decision may also depends on your fitness and health objectives as well as your schedule. The nature of both Yoga and Pilates exercise techniques makes it easy for them to complement each other. In summary, Yoga is more about how it makes you feel and Pilates is about how it makes you look. The best way is to experience both exercises before you make a decision. With the help of an experienced instructor, you will realize what works the best for you and you will surely achieve your goals. The choice is yours.