Understanding the Key Differences Between Pilates Exercises and Yoga

1. Understanding the Key Differences  Between Pilates Exercises and Yoga      Some people believe that Pilates exercises - and Pilates itself and  yoga are practically the same thing, but that is absolutely not the  case. They do share some similarities, but there are also lots of  differences too. Understanding the basic differences between these two  popular exercise disciplines can help you decide which is best for  you.    The Varying Histories of Yoga and Pilates    Yoga is a sacred tradition that spawned in India some 5,000+ years  ago. Its purpose was to connect the individual consciousness to the  universal blissful consciousness. Together with asanas (postures),  breath control, and simple meditation, it improves your physical,  mental, emotional, and spiritual health.   

2. Pilates is more new-age, although it’s been around for nearly a  century. Pilates was founded around 1925 by Joseph Pilates and was  originally mostly used for physical rehabilitation before becoming  'fashionable' in the 1940s. It’s since changed and developed  dramatically over the course of the last several decades. However,  it’s main goals of strengthening the core, improving posture,  stabilizing and elongating the spine, and developing balance and  overall strength, remains intact.     More Than Just a Mat    While both Pilates exercises and yoga work the body in effective ways,  they utilize totally different equipment. For example, Pilates uses  machines such as the reformer, Cadillac, spine corrector, small  barrel, tower, etc. These machines (for the most part) use a pulley  system with varying springs for resistance and are used to assist the  body in perfecting alignment, improving strength, and improving  inconsistencies in the body. Yoga, on the other hand, uses mainly a  mat, as well as minor equipment to aid in the poses, such as blocks,  straps, or a blanket.    The Spiritual Component    This is perhaps one of the biggest differences between yoga and  Pilates. To put it simply, yoga is a meditative practice. This means  that it works your mind just as much, if not more than your body. It  also focuses on breathing techniques to help reduce stress, Pilates is  more of a traditional exercise routine originally developed to help  injured athletes, whereas yoga was created as a path to spiritual  enlightenment through a series of poses.     The Method    The mind-body connection is the center of yoga. Therefore, it forgoes  exercise machines of any kind. Instead, it allows the body itself to  serve as resistance. For this reason, the class runs starkly different  from a Pilates class. In yoga, each class typically ends with a guided  meditation and savasana (relaxation). 

3.   Most ​ Pilates classes in West London​ incorporate equipment that’s used  to challenge the body to ‘turn on’ and control muscles and body  positioning in unstable environments. Because of the ability to build  stability in the core and throughout the body, Pilates is often used  as a rehabilitation tool. In fact, many physical therapists use  Pilates as part of their repertoire. Or they recommend clients begin  doing Pilates once they have finished with physical therapy.    The Moves    The poses and moves performed during yoga and Pilates are quite  different. The amount of time spent holding them is also quite  different. Typically, in yoga, you hold poses for far longer. This  allows you to fall more deeply into each pose. You often repeat the  flow of these moves, which you do not always do in Pilates exercises.    The End Result    Depending on what you’re trying to achieve from attending class, one  or the other exercise might be more well-suited for you. Yoga works  your entire body, whereas Pilates mainly focuses on the powerhouse  muscles. These are the deep muscles of the core and the muscles of the  spine and hips, such as the lats and outer thighs.     It also depends on what you want to experience during class. If you’re  looking for something more physical, Pilates exercises are usually the  way to go. Or you could choose to do what an increasing number of  people do and do both, thereby reaping the benefits of a long lean  body and clear mind free from stress.     Original Source:  https://www.ladolcestudio.co.uk/post/understanding-the-key-differences -between-pilates-exercises-and-yoga?lang=it