Here are details that you might want to know before taking your pick. Yoga is a traditional and mental exercise originating from India. Its purpose is to unite the body, the mind and the spirit. Therapeutic in nature, the Yogis believe that body and mind are one and if it is given the right tools and led to the right environment it can find harmony and heal itself. It makes us more aware of our body’s alignment, posture and patterns of movement. And in a stress stricken environment, Yoga can help our body to be flexible and be relaxed. Mostly performed in a group setting with a Yoga instructor and a special yoga mat, the body’s own weight is used for resistance and the main focus is to the flow of one posture into the other. People are into yoga because they feel fit, happier, and energetic and most of all they experience peace every time.

Pilates is a unique form of exercise, developed by Joseph H. Pilates in 1920’s, which was intended for the rehabilitation of immobile and bed ridden patients and soldiers of World War I. Pilates exercise works the whole body using the six Pilates principles, concentration, centering, precision, control, breathing, and flowing movements using both mind and body. Pilates movements are not rapid and repeated excessively; the exercises focus on quality and not quantity. The core strength (torso) serves as the center of all movement allowing the entire body to move freely. There are two ways of Pilates exercise, the mat exercises and the equipment to tone and strengthen the body, both using the body’s own weight as resistance. The balance between flexibility and strength constitutes to symmetrical workout of muscle groups, thus producing a leaner, healthier and stronger body.

Pilates versus yoga; no matter what you choose you can bet that your body and health is the winner.