The Pilates and yoga trend has taken over the world by storm recently. From our favorite celebs to our own friends; everyone has hopped onto the Pilates and yoga bandwagon in an effort to get a toned body.
While both types of exercises are meant to bring about positive changes in our body, they’re not the same thing. Most people just lump yoga and Pilates together thinking they are similar. At first glance, both forms of exercise may seem as if they are identical; but when examined closely, there are many major differences.
From their origins, to methods of practicing, goals, and more; here is your basic guide to understanding the key difference.
Origins
Yoga has been around for almost 5,000+ years and has been thought to have originated in India. It has long been used my mystics and spiritualists to help them achieve a higher state of consciousness. Various teachers have since adapted yoga into different forms in order to achieve different goals.
Pilates is relatively new-age. Originally known as Contrology, it was formed almost a century ago around 1925 by a man named Joseph Pilates. He developed it as a form of physical rehabilitation and as a way to help dancers improve their flexibility, strength, and range of movement.
Bonus Read: Get Rid of Belly Fat with Pilates!
The Basics
Yoga usually incorporates floor and mat-based exercises that use various poses in order to align the mind, body, and sprit. On the other hand, Pilates also involves mat-based exercises, but it also incorporates the use of a few large pieces of equipment. These include machines such as the Cadillac, the reformer, wunda chair, small barrel, spine corrector, and more.
More: The Pilates Yoga Crossover
The Focus
Both forms of exercises emphasize and focus on different things during their practice. Yoga is more about the mind than the body; it is a form of meditation that uses the body in order to achieve inner peace. The focus is not so much on toning the body, which can be considered a by-product, but on facilitating spiritual awareness.
Meanwhile, Pilates is all about exercising the body and improving your physique. There isn’t an emphasis on the spiritual factor as there in yoga. Pilates is focused on building strength, especially core strength. It also works towards improving balance and increasing the body’s flexibility and range of movement.
(Pilates or Yoga – Which Works Better for Weight Loss?)
The End Result
It depends on what you’re trying to achieve out of both; while yoga will strengthen your mental and physical connection, it will also work your entire body. Pilates will mainly focus on the core muscles of the body, including the hips and the spine. When choosing between the two, go for yoga if you want something mental and Pilates for something more physical.
Still can’t decide? Sign up for stretching and yoga classes to find out! If you live in NYC, Fit Engine can help you book a fitness class in your area.
