Pilates versus Yoga - A Yogi’s Perspective
8 Comments
Many people ask me about Pilates in comparison to yoga as I teach studio to studio. And, I love the question as I am a yogi that has done Pilates off and on for years. Actually before yoga, my first true disciplined workout was Pilates. But discipline for me is really where the comparisons end. I needed more of a soul connect.When I took my first Pilates class back in 1995, it was to seek solace from a dead-end job and a faltering relationship as I was told you could “get in the zone…” with Pilates. Feeling too old and out of shape to return to ballet classes, I thought Pilates would be a great place to go. And it was. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates, who developed the ‘Pilates Technique’ back in the ’30s, which was modified for dancers, and is the basis for what is taught today.
The foundation of Pilates is strengthening of the core postural muscles which are essential to providing support for the spine while teaching awareness and alignment of the spine. This is done via a series of mat exercises, other equipment specific to the genre as well as machines such as the Cadillac and Reformer. I did them all for a good 2 years straight while slowing edging my way into yoga. And yes, my body was lean and toned.
But then yoga found it’s way into my life. The greatest way to distinguish between Pilates and yoga is that Pilates is an exercise regime and yoga is a spiritual and holistic lifestyle derived in India 5,000 years ago. Yoga is not a religion, but the spiritual aspect most certainly cannot be missed. While there are many styles of Hatha Yoga: Iyengar, Anusara, Ashtanga, they all come back to the source of a spiritual connection to the body and mind, while Pilates is devoid of chanting and restraining mental chatter as a means to come in to our true selves. However, since both disciplines do focus on core strength, you will find some poses in Pilates that are taken right from the Hatha play book.
If I were to advise someone on the differences I would say check out a Pilates Mat class and a yoga class. Today, on beYOU.tv, there are so many options for both. If you’re looking for a more regimented practice that purely focuses on developing core strength and a toned body, try Pilates. If you’re looking for a full mind, body and soul workout, try a yoga class. At the end of the day, you’ll stick with what you love and are drawn to.
Written by: Michelle Barge
Michelle,
Great article, well said! It’s very easy for people (including myself) to get confused, especially when they’re new to yoga and Pilates.
Pilates and yoga are both close to my heart. I’ve written some articles on this too. I do find a soul connect through my Pilates practice and it adds to my spiritual life; but of course you are right, it is more overt in yoga. I, too, encourage people to try both - do both for that matter. They compliment each other so well.
Thanks,
Marguerite, guide to Pilates at Pilates.about.com
Greg - thanks for the thumbs up. Glad the piece could shed some light.
Marguerite, thanks for you comment. I too got a soul connect with Pilates, especially when working on the Cadillac or Reformer, but personally I gravitated to the ancient rituals and lifestyle of traditional Hatha yoga. But I’ll still take a Pilates class when I need that lengthening that Pilates does so well. Thanks for reading!
What a common question! I think too many people think yoga and pilates are the same thing. Good for you for tackling this one!
While I do agree that yoga tends to be more spiritual than pilates, I find pilates to be more than an “exercise regime.” In pilates there is a wonderful sense of mind-body awareness and connectedness. As an instructor, I have seen many clients/students use the movement of pilates to more deeply connect to their body - whether it is realizing muscles they didn’t know they had, feeling truly in control of their body, working the stiffness and stress out of their body, or mentally preparing their body for a marathon. When I have the pilates instructor hat on I also educate my clients/students that pilates is more than just an exercise regime… it is exercise with focus and intention. If it were only a regime like a workout in a gym or step aerobics then I think we wouldn’t have the pilates principles that we do. The idea is that it is more than exercise - and because of this people who practice pilates reap benefits beyond what an exercise regime would yield.
But I do think yoga brings spirituality into the movements in a stronger and different way than pilates… and my body calls for that, too.
Peace,
Zoe
ThinkPilates.com
Zoe - Thanks so much for the comment!! As a former dancer, yes, pilates is more than an exercise regime but devoid of the spritual aspects of my yoga practice maybe it was just starting to feel more like one. It is the alignment and core principles of pilates I use in my everday and just my walk is pilates fueled. Truthfully, I want to be a yogi with a Reformer in my home!
My clients ask me that question is nice to hear other instructors answers to that. I am a technically trainerd dancer trained in yoga and pilates. My personal preference is pilates. Now that you mention it….that feeling I haven’t been able to name…is a soul connection. It feels so natural and beneficial. Yoga is as well but pilates is defiately my favorite. Good article and mini history lesson, too!
Oh thank you so much and being open to both sides!! Appreciate your kind comment. I still take a Pilates class and get a rush from it — but a different one! You know!