| You've probably heard countless times how exercise | | | | expanding consciousness through movement. |
| is "good for you". Due to the way our society is now | | | | Yoga works more on the internal body, the controlling |
| made up, we are less active than at any other | | | | of the spiritual nature allowing for the movement, |
| moment in history. Exercise is not only good for you, | | | | whereas Pilates focuses more on concentration to |
| but it also helps you feel great. | | | | allow for a strengthening of the muscles. The mere |
| Over the past few years, more and more people | | | | concentration from both, create a feeling of well-being. |
| have discovered the benefits of workouts that | | | | Pilates and Yoga both focus on the breath and |
| stimulate the mind as well as the body. | | | | movement working together. Pilates includes inhaling |
| There are two types of exercise techniques that | | | | via nose and exhaling through the mouth and Yoga |
| naturally have mind & body awareness embedded into | | | | concentrates on utilizing the nose for both inhaling and |
| their practices: Pilates and Yoga. They have many | | | | exhaling. |
| physical similarities, but their philosophies are different, | | | | Both Pilates and Yoga give great attention to |
| with yoga tending to take a more spiritual or universal | | | | concentration, balance and the controlled movements |
| approach. | | | | of the muscles. With either exercise you will never see |
| Yoga is a physical fitness regime originated in Northern | | | | an individual that is performing vigorous or jerky type |
| part of India, in ancient period. The history of Yoga | | | | movements. |
| dates back to almost five thousand years ago and | | | | The goal of both of the exercises is definitely the |
| takes an approach of using the mind, body and spirit. | | | | same, relieve stress and provide the person with |
| Yoga is explained as a lifestyle, instead of just an | | | | peacefulness while strengthening the muscles. |
| exercise. It works towards offering a path to physical | | | | If a person is specifically looking for training to tone and |
| and mental well-being. It also includes all the exercise | | | | build abdominal muscles, then Pilates usually is a good |
| routines in conjunction with a healthy diet, relaxation, | | | | choice. |
| meditation, and breathing skills. | | | | If a person is searching for quiet time, stress relief and |
| Pilates is not an ancient practice as Yoga. It is just | | | | improved flexibility, then Yoga typically is a good |
| eighty years old and invented by a German athlete, | | | | choice. |
| Joseph Pilates. The Pilates method, inspired by certain | | | | Pilates and Yoga can be effective in achieving most |
| Yoga poses, works towards conditioning the entire | | | | physical fitness goals. None of the two physical fitness |
| body. | | | | systems has negative or side effects on the body, if |
| Pilates exercises are very much directed toward | | | | performed correctly. |
| developing core strength and efficient movement | | | | There are many similarities and differences between |
| habits that translate into daily life. | | | | Pilates and Yoga. The decision as to which exercise is |
| Yoga poses also develop core strength. But Yoga is | | | | best for you depends entirely on your personal |
| more stretch and flexibility oriented, and perhaps, less | | | | preference. |
| interested in daily movement mechanics than in | | | | |