Pilates & Yoga

The physical body is a temple, take care of it. The mind is energy, regulate it. The soul is the projection, represent it. All knowledge is false if the soul is not experienced in the body.

— Yogi Bhajan

Both yoga and pilates are spiritual and physical disciplines that use exercise and meditation to improve your overall health and happiness. While yoga has a 5,000 year history in Ancient India, pilates was not developed until the 1920s. Both disciplines focus on technique, breathing and alignment. However, the cornerstone of yoga is the spiritual connection you gain while flowing through the poses. Meanwhile, pilates is all about strengthening your core to improve balance and movement.

Yoga:

Meditative practice
Uses a mat with only occasional use of straps, blocks and blankets to assist
Focus is inward
Emphasizes mind-body spiritual connection
Hold poses for longer time (allows you to fall more deeply into pose)
Flow of the movements is important
Focus is on the mental muscles

Pilates:

An exercise routine
Can utilize machines and mats
Focus on relaxing tense muscles
Go to for helping injured athletes
Poses are not held
Focus on control and precision
Utilizes the body’s core

Both Yoga & Pilates:

Works the body
Body used for resistance
Increase range of motion
Improve concentration and focus
Can be done anywhere
Reduce stress & promotes relaxation
Promote flexibility
Increase muscle tone
Increase circulation health
Can be altered to fit any health or fitness limitations

Many people are incorporating yoga, pilates or both into their daily lives. Gyms are even offering yoga/pilates fusion workouts. However, you don’t need to get an expensive gym membership to give these a try. Just go to your local branch and check out the great books and DVDs that break down the moves for you.