Pilates versus Yoga

Pilates versus yoga, which one works better? Just like any other health fanatic, you too have probably asked this question yourself. Both types of exercise have been promoted on television and magazines and both claim to be effective. To answer your question, let us take a look at their difference and similarities.

As you probably know, yoga aims to unite the mind, body, and spirit of the person. It is a therapeutic exercise that helps you become aware of your body’s alignment, posture, and movement patterns. It keeps your body flexible and helps you relax in the middle of a stressful environment.

Pilates Yoga Workouts

Yoga is has several styles. The Vinyasa Yoga use modified yoga poses that are intended to increase healing, flexibility and strengthens your joints. Other forms of yoga exercises also include meditation, study of classic elements, and reflection.

Pilates or Yoga?… on the other hand, has the same objective as the yoga but includes using pilates machines, like the torturous looking Reformer. Like yoga, pilates also uses controlled movements and full matwork. Its emphasis places on strengthening the abdominals, spine, posture, and enhances balance and total strength.

Pilates lets your whole body work and emphasizes a lot of concentration in both your mind and body. The movement focuses on the abdominal muscles, lower back, and buttocks and lets the rest of your body move freely. Pilates centers on six principles, control, concentration, centering, flow and precision, and breathing. With the use of these principles correctly, the person ends up getting leaner, stronger and more balanced.

Now that you have a fair idea what differs pilates versus yoga, you can now choose which of these two exercise you think will work well for you. If you’re still a bit confused, then I suggest do a combination of both. Since both exercises pretty much uses the same techniques, these two will actually complement each other. You may employ the stretching techniques from yoga and do abdominal strengthening with the use of the reformer. Combine both breathing and meditation techniques of the two exercises.

Now let me ask you, which among the two would you prefer? Pilates versus yoga, I’d say I’ll choose both.