Yoga vs. Pilates: What's the Difference and anyway?

When it comes to mind-body fitness, two practices often come to mind: yoga and Pilates. While both offer amazing benefits, they have their differences & similarities. Sometimes they get confused or considered the same thing. So I’m going to break down what makes them different & what they have in common.

One is a holistic philosophical & spiritual discipline originating from ancient India, the other a specific physical system devised by a German anatomist in the early 20th century: while there might be a lot of cross-over between yoga and Pilates, the two are inherently different.

Yoga is a spiritual discipline designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Through a combination of asanas (postures) that enhance flexibility and strength, pranayama (breath control) that regulates energy, and meditation that cultivates mindfulness, yoga seeks to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. It offers a path to self-awareness, stress reduction, and inner balance, making it not only a physical exercise but also a transformative practice for overall health and self-discovery. It incorporates elements of philosophy, science and an ethical way of living. Yoga has a huge variety of classes and styles. Classes can range from gentle and nourishing to challenging and sweaty. At its heart yoga is a spiritual philosophy, the physical practice ( what we mainly see in the US ) only makes up 1 of the 8 parts - or limbs- of the yoga path. Even if you are only interested in the physical practice of yoga it is still a wonderful method and you’ll benefit from the practice 💯

On the other hand, Pilates is a more recent practice that focuses on building core strength, improving posture, and working on controlled movements. It can involve the use of equipment, like the reformer or stability ball, to challenge the body and increase resistance, but there are plenty of mat exercises too. Joseph Pilates drew inspiration for the exercises in his method from a variety of sources, reflecting his diverse background and interests. Some of the key influences include: Yoga, Gymnastics, martial arts, dance, physical therapy & rehabilitation, & eastern philosophies like zen Buddhism. He first began developing his system during world war 1 while interred in the UK. Working with other internees, he rigged springs to hospital beds, laying the foundation for the equipment used in modern Pilates studios.

Overall, Joseph Pilates synthesized these influences into a comprehensive system that focused on controlled, precise movements that engaged both body and mind. His unique combination of ideas contributed to the development of the Pilates method as we know it today, which is a system that uses very specific targeted exercises to improve strength, flexibility and posture with particular focus on the core. There are pilates mat work and reformer classes, but as a whole Pilates uses a variety of equipment & apparatuses ( stay tune for a post on all of variety of pilates equipment out there!)

So, which one is better? Well, that's like asking if pizza or tacos are better (the answer is obviously both). But here's the thing: you don't have to choose! They complement each other so well. Incorporating both practices into a routine offers a well-rounded approach to mind-body health and offers a variety of movement and mindfulness. I practice both regularly and sometimes combined the 2 along with other modalities into a single class. Yoga can help you increase flexibility, reduce stress, and improve your overall mental wellbeing. Pilates, meanwhile, can help you build core strength, improve your posture, and develop a strong mind-body connection.

Research from MindBody revealed that 70 percent of those who do yoga or Pilates say that it relieves stress for them. Both practices teach breathing techniques that can help to combat feelings of stress and anxiety, while both traditionally encourage students to align the body with the mind and spirit, taking time to focus on self-care

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to find a practice that feels good and supports your overall health and wellness. Whether you're a yogi, a Pilates enthusiast, or somewhere in between, there's a mind-body practice out there that's perfect for you. As we all know any practice needs to be done on a regular basis to provide continued & lasting benefit.