Do you also consider Yoga and Pilates as same? But let me tell you, they are different and similar too.
These two forms of workouts have significantly evolved in these years. These are available with different variations in gyms and studios around the world.
Yoga and Pilates are low-impact workouts that focus n using bodyweight resistance. These are great for the overall well-being of an individual and will help you lead a qualitative life.
If you are the kind of person who is stressed and frustrated dealing with life’s twists and turns, then learn about both yoga and pilates. They aim to make you feel relaxed and calm in various situations. It helps you to connect your soul, thus making you feel light and delighted.
So, here is a blog that will help you to decide the best choice for you- YOGA OR PILATES.
What Is Pilates?
Joseph Pilates developed Pilates during the first half of the twentieth century. He introduced a system of exercises intended to strengthen the human mind and body as he believes that mental and physical health are interrelated.
Pilates presents as an art of controlling movements. It focuses on small actions that require the critical stabilizing muscles of the back and core.
Western countries such as Australia, Canada, the US, and the UK are widely following pilates. People use mats or specialized equipment. The equipment is different as it uses springs, levers, and your body weight to provide resistance.
Benefits Of Pilates
- Pilates is effective in treating lower back pain.
- It helps in conditioning abdominal muscles.
- It improves flexibility and provides strength.
- It develops control and endurance of the entire body.
- It enhances coordination.
- It upgrades a stronger core.
What Is Yoga?
Yoga is the most popular form of workout that is practiced worldwide. Yoga is a spiritual practice that has its roots in India. It is a perfect blend of physical poses and breathing techniques.
There are different types of yoga for beginners, intermediate and advanced. Instructors even modify poses to suit the needs of their students. Yoga also has demanding poses for fast-paced practitioners.
Yoga is effective for improving the overall well-being of an individual. It is a well-managed integrated health management system that uses breath, movement, and meditation to unite the mind, body, and soul.
Benefits Of Yoga
- It helps in easing lower back pain and neck pain.
- Brings a balance
- Yoga enhances sleep quality.
- It is effective in relieving stress and stress-related diseases.
- It is helpful in weight loss.
Similarities Between Yoga And Pilates
1. Physical Benefits
If you are looking for a workout that will develop your strength and balance, then Yoga and Pilates work the same here. Many poses in Yoga and Pilates involve supporting body weight and working on all your body muscles.
Pilates is a disciplined practice that works on various parts of the body. Apart from strengthening the core, it gives you additional benefits of overall strength, body toning, and improved flexibility.
Yoga, when done intensively, help you to burn calories, and performing slow-paced yoga improves flexibility and strength.
2. Mental Benefits
People who perform Yoga and Pilates consistently say that it helps relieve stress. Both workouts work on breathing techniques that help combat stress and anxiety—also, both help in aligning the body with mind and spirit.
Yoga has an extremely balancing effect on the nervous system by using the more profound breathing technique. The twists and turns in yoga postures are effective in detoxifying the body and bringing fresh blood supply to the organs and joints.
Pilates is a slow-paced discipline that works on breathing and helps in relieving stress. It aids the body in joining with the mind, which helps in boosting overall health.
3. Rehabilitation Benefits
Sports and Doctors recommend yoga and pilates to patients to rehabilitate from injuries. Research says that the nature of Yoga and Pilates is slow and controlled; thus, practicing them effectively combats injuries at targeted postures.
One who practices yoga regularly tends to get less exposed to injuries and ailments. Yoga is excellent for stretching muscles for people who play, run, or are into any sports.
Practicing Pilates has a calming effect on to mind and body. It has a series of targeted movements and is an adaptable solution for repairing injuries. Pilates has a series of targeted exercises and is a versatile solution for improving any damage.
4. Pregnancy Benefits
Yoga and Pilates are both considered safe and beneficial in pregnancy.
Yoga helps to strengthen core muscles, ease back pain, maintain muscle tone and help to relax. It improves sleep and reduces stress. Performing various pelvic floor yoga exercises helps in maintaining flexibility.
Pilates is most effective in prenatal and post-natal. It works on muscles that get weakened during pregnancy. It helps build strength and endurance that aids in coping with the changes during pregnancy.
It is found that women who regularly practice yoga and pilates experience less back pain and pelvic pain, increased stamina, and shorter labors.
Dissimilarities Between Yoga And Pilates
- In Pilates, you engage your core while you exhale, and you do the opposite in Yoga.
- Yoga has comparatively more varieties and styles than Pilates. Pilates is of basically two types-Classical and Contemporary.
- Yoga involves flowing through poses that utilize your body weight as resistance. Yoga usually helps in improving balance, flexibility, and the mind-body connection. Pilates is a bit more fast-paced than yoga, which does not focus on mindfulness.
- Pilates uses body weight and external resistance apparatus, while yoga uses body weight.
Researches On Yoga And Pilates
- Practicing yoga is good for your mind and body. Research says that yoga eases back pain and arthritis pain. Yoga also increases vagal tone, which creates a connection to the parasympathetic nervous system.
- A Harvard Health study says that practicing yoga regularly creates a profound union of mind, body, and spirit. It creates an inner awareness that helps create a better body image and enhances trust in body capabilities, ultimately leading to enhanced mindfulness.
- A study on blood pressure patients was done, and it reported that regular yoga practice shows improvement in blood pressure maintenance. Also, it controlled blood sugar levels and blood sugar levels.
- Research on strength and conditioning shows that hitting Pilates on the mat regularly improves muscle endurance and flexibility.
- Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness showed that the Pilates routine improved flexibility in participants. It engages muscles all over that strengthen the core and strengthen flexibility. Also, it lowers the risk of injuries.One will feel lighter with each session of Pilates, and it will feel like your body has been stretched out for the day. Pilates also shows a mood-lifting effect that helps you to feel more relaxed and stress-free.
- A study from Pamukalle University shows that Pilates has the potential for weight -loss. Women who did Pilates for three weeks showed inch loss and improved BMI. Another study on Pilates shows that it helps ease back and neck pain.
Which Should You Choose: Yoga Or Pilates?
The answer entirely depends upon what you want from your exercise regime. When it comes to choosing between Pilates and yoga, you must know what your goals are and then choose accordingly.
Pilates will have an edge if you aim to perform better in different activities, as Pilates helps strengthen your body’s core and stability. Even if you are a sports person facing back issues, Pilates will prove beneficial as it will help you develop a strong core and a strong back. Also, Pilates will give you that burn and shake if you want something that works on muscles.
On the other side, if you want increased flexibility, relaxation, and better mind and body connection, yoga will do wonders for you. Yoga is simply not only a place to work out but a place to destress and recenter.
Warnings
You must modify your workouts if you suffer back or neck pain or respiratory problems. Consult your doctor if you have any injury, are pregnant, or have any physical restrictions.
Always hire a certified Yoga or Pilates trainer for your training as they will help you better your workout regime. A great trainer will prevent you from unnecessary injuries that are caused by doing inappropriate poses and postures.
Final Steps
Yoga and pilates are a great addition to your weekly exercise routine if you want to build long, lean muscles, increased flexibility, better mental health, clarity, and improved stability.
On the one hand, yoga will give your body a gift of balance. It will help in uniting your mind, body, and soul. It also improves flexibility and incorporates meditation practice in you.
On the other hand, Pilates is great if you are looking to recover from injury or want to improve posture and core strength.
To conclude, whether you choose Pilates or Yoga, consistency and dedication to workout are essential. Find an instructor that motivates you to stick to a proper workout regime. And believe me, the hardest part is to hit on the mat; the rest you do is just a bonus.