When I ask New Members in a Class whether they have participated in a Pilates practice before, they often answer with “No, but I’ve done Yoga!”. So are they the same?

You may be surprised by this …Yoga and Pilates are a completely different for the most part. Yes, they do incorporate some of the same elements, such as working towards improved flexibility and posture but the focus of each are very different when it comes to application. 

In short, Pilates and Yoga are both mind-body conditioning systems. The main difference being that Pilates is practiced to strengthen your core, to sculpt and create strong muscles, all whilst creating realignment in your body. Yoga is more about creating harmony between the mind, body and soul to ultimately become the best version of yourself.

By explaining the practices in further detail, you will learn how both Yoga and Pilates can complement one another, and/ or perhaps understand which practice may be better suited you.

Surely I’m not fit enough to do Yoga or Pilates!

Well generally we are all able to do them. Pilates and Yoga are practices that are available to anyone at any age, of every ethnicity and from any walk of life. However if you have any underlying health issues it’s worth consulting your GP first.

Yoga is more than exercise.

In western culture, Yoga is predominantly viewed as a physical practice however the term Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj”, meaning to unite – the practice is described as a spiritual and ascetic discipline. It includes breath control and simple meditation techniques and then leads on to physical control. In short, the definition is trying to explain that Yoga isn’t already pre-set up for flexible and confident people, in fact the complete opposite! Yoga is not about becoming something, it is about fully realising who you already are and living your most authentic life. I will be explaining this further in more detail.

So what is Yoga and how is it going to help me?

Yoga at its simplest root is about seeking clarity of the mind. Through various techniques learnt in both breath, movement and through dedication we can practice the art of quieting the mind to ultimately set us up for success both mentally and physically. You could be someone who is on the go the constantly and you are looking to incorporate personal time into your day, or you are seeking some balance in your life, or  you are looking to feel better in your body or perhaps you are suffering with anxiety/depression and require healing. Whoever you are and whatever emotions you are experiencing in this present moment, be patient, there is a practice out there for you.

How to “do” Yoga:

There are many different forms of Yoga which bring around different benefits. You may have heard the terms Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hatha, Kundalini, but for now we will stick to understanding fundamentals of Yoga. 

In Yoga we use the breath to control our state of being as we transition through movement (yoga poses), with a large emphasis on expanding the belly and the chest. Through using various breathing techniques we can work to towards slowing the mind down, controlling your heart rate and controlling your temperature and space in the body. A typical movement Yoga class will guide you through a series of poses, moving with purpose and fluidity. The different poses will various feelings of release both physically and mentally.

Through repetition in practice, we can assist the body and mind by creating space to release stress, tension and any negative energy. We use the breath in practice to transition in and out of poses to help us deepen our connection to the self. Our minds us to be open to new practices as we move along this Yoga journey.

How can Pilates help me?

Pilates, this is a practice that is available to those that are free from injury and to those that are in need of rehabilitation. Classes are offered and performed at various levels giving everyone a chance to explore this practice in their own time.

In Pilates, all movement comes from bringing your attention to the core, also known as the Powerhouse. The Powerhouse is made up of the abdominals, back muscles, glutes, adductors and hamstrings. When we engage this group of muscles correctly, we can support, strengthen and control the entire body. No matter how your body feels right now in this moment, introducing Pilates into your life will reward you with physical benefits which you will see and feel. Sharing the words from Joseph Pilates himself “After 10 classes you will be able to feel the difference, after 20 you will see the difference and after 30 you will have an entire new body”.

How to “do” Pilates:

Pilates, like Yoga, is a fluid practice, however execution of movement is different. In a typical Pilates practice you would start with one muscle group in the powerhouse, for example abdominals. Each exercise would be performed with 6-8 repetitions moving from one exercise straight into the next with minimal breaks. The practice will then flow onto each of the different muscle groups throughout the class.

In Pilates, the breath is activated in the back of the body specifically using exhalation to help empty your lungs to activate the core muscles. By activating and engaging our body on the exhale we can increase stability allowing us to maintain repetition and provide ourselves a challenging workout. Pilates focuses on precision and control in order to strengthen and support the body as well as increasing range of motion and posture. 

Closing

So, do you choose Yoga or Pilates? Simple answer = both! Yoga brings support, balance and discipline into your life with added physical benefits of flexibility and strength. Pilates focuses on the one major area to strengthen and physically support the body. Ultimately each practice compliments each other. Between Yoga and Pilates we can learn to increase range of motion, flexibility and by strengthening your core it will improve balance and mind and body connection.

Here is how I can help you put this discovery into action:

I’m offering you a 7 day online course which compromises of 8 meditations, 7 Yoga classes, 4 Pilates and 4 Fitness Fusion (Yoga, Pilates, Barre, HIIT) workouts all for just £29.99! This 7 day course is essentially an to invitation to practice in a whole new way where you will combine multiple styles of exercise and movement leading you into a journey of becoming stronger, healthier and balanced individual of both body, mind and soul. Transform yourself today.