| This year we have written articles on both yoga and | | | | practicing yoga is also very beneficial as a way of |
| Pilates but it is easy to find yourself confused about | | | | shaping and toning the body. |
| the differences between these two activities. Yoga | | | | Focus of Pilates. Pilates works at conditioning the body |
| and Pilates do have similarities; they both aim to | | | | first and foremost and involves focus on breathing in a |
| strengthen the muscles - with particular focus on the | | | | slightly different way to yoga. In Pilates you are |
| back, abdomen, arms and legs - and they are both | | | | encouraged to inhale through the nose and exhale |
| fantastic for improving posture. However, both yoga | | | | through the mouth whilst exercising. Yoga utilises the |
| and Pilates offer a slightly different approach to fitness. | | | | nose for both inhaling and exhaling and in conjunction |
| We have tried to break those differences down for | | | | with various meditative techniques. Pilates is less |
| you below. | | | | meditation and more concentration based and |
| History. Despite their similarities yoga and Pilates have | | | | develops focus, elasticity, joint mobility, core strength, |
| quite different backgrounds. Yoga has it's origins in | | | | conditioning and elongation of the muscles and spine. |
| India, and was first developed thousands of years ago | | | | Equipment. Both yoga and Pilates are practiced on a |
| whereas Pilates is a relatively new practice by | | | | mat. Yoga can involve the use of props such as |
| comparison, invented by the German athlete Joseph | | | | straps and blocks to enhance certain movements and |
| Pilates just eighty years ago. | | | | poses. Pilates may involve exercise balls, fitness bands |
| Focus of yoga. Yoga is generally thought of as more | | | | and larger equipment that you would expect to find in |
| of a lifestyle choice than a workout choice. It involves | | | | a specialist Pilates studio. |
| meditation, breathing skills, relaxation and has what | | | | Which is for me? We hope that this article has helped |
| may be viewed as a more spiritual approach than | | | | you to understand the differences between yoga and |
| Pilates. It is also famous for the ability to increase | | | | Pilates but ultimately the best way to discover which |
| flexibility and massage internal organs and glands, | | | | of these activities suits you best is to try them. There |
| therefore aiding with detoxification and boosting the | | | | is also no reason why you could not do both, they will |
| immune system. There is much emphasis on the way | | | | compliment each other well. |
| that yoga makes you feel as apposed to how it | | | | Always consult your doctor before starting a new |
| makes you look, though there is no doubt that | | | | fitness activity. |