Yoga and Pilates: What’s the difference?
Yoga and Pilates are often interchanged perhaps because of their similarities in form and process. Both have positions that practitioners must do and both emphasize the importance of balance and fluid movements. They are also mat exercises and both belong to the kind of exercises that people call “soft” muscle training.
Meditation vs physical development
Although they may have similarities, these two forms of exercise are actually different from each other. Yoga, for one is primarily used to meditate, based on the principle that movements and breathing can unite the body, mind and spirit. By doing this, practitioners can attain harmony and balance within oneself.
Yoga also helps practitioners to relax and to achieve a state of consciousness that can relieve stress. This is perhaps the reason why yoga is so popular. Practitioners practice yoga because it makes them happier, more energetic and more relaxed.
Pilates, on the other hand, is used mostly for physical development such as losing of weight and toning of muscles. One major difference perhaps is the fact that Pilates is not a holistic exercise, which develops not only the body but also the mind and the soul. The emphasis for Pilates is not to achieve balance and overall peace of mind but to strengthen body muscles.
Pilates is done to improve posture, strengthen the abdomen and develop good balance. This is especially good for dancers because not only are their bodies toned but they are also being taught balance, flexibility and gracefulness, which they need in their routines.
Machines or nor machines
Another difference that can be noted between yoga and pilates is the use of machines and props. Yoga relies purely on body movements and breathing techniques for its routine while Pilates makes use of different gadgets such as the “Cadillac.” This was started by its creator Joseph Pilates, who was looking for some ways to help soldiers who were injured in wars.
Until now, the exercise is still being used to rehabilitate injured people using it’s the six principles of the exercise program, which are: concentration, centering, breathing, control, flow, and precision-training. Pilates also use other exercise equipment such as balls and other materials that practitioners can exercise with. Unlike yoga, some pilates program also incorporate weight training.
Holistic exercise program
Yoga is also different from Pilates in the sense that it is a complete health system that preaches not only about the exercise routine but also about personal hygiene and everyday health lifestyle. Pilates on the other hand is purely an exercise program that incorporates much the same techniques found in yoga.
Choosing the best exercise program for you
Basically, there really is not much difference between the two when it comes to the routine. In choosing between Pilates and yoga, one must first determine the purpose of the exercise. If one wants to attain peace and relaxation through exercise, one can go for yoga. This exercise is very effective in relieving your muscles and your mind of stress; but if it is muscle training that one wants to have, then pilates is the exercise that should be chosen.
Of course another option can be to take both programs. There is no single exercise program that will completely meet a person’s needs. In fact, yoga and pilates actually complement one another.
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