Yoga vs. Pilates: What's the Difference?

Rarely can you go anywhere these days and not hear the words yoga or pilates. It seems that everyone is doing one or the other, and though both are good for your health, what are the differences and similarities between the two, and how do you choose which one is right for you?

"The mind/body components of practicing yoga and pilates together are exponentially healthy and invigorating and can truly enhance the lifestyle of all who participate," said Colleen Dachille, owner of . "Each practice compliments the other; both are highly therapeutic and appropriate for almost anyone."

There are many profound differences between the two practices, as well.

Yoga dates back thousands of years to Tibetan Monks and was first developed as a spiritual and philosophical nurturing of one’s self, according to Dachille. The basis of yoga is the joining or integrating of all aspects of the individual—body with mind and mind with soul—to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life.

“The foundation of yoga is moving energy through the body, referred to as Chi,” Dachille explained. “The more freely the energy flows, the healthier and more energetic someone feels. Yoga is primarily comprised of outward based movements of stretching from the center and working outward from there.”

There are many different kinds of yoga, according to Women’s Health magazine. They include:

• Anusara, which is best for individuals who are new to yoga. This
  type of yoga is best for mood enhancement and learning proper alignment to aid in injury prevention.
• Hatha yoga can be practiced by just about anyone and is especially beneficial for relieving stress and calming down.
• Power yoga uses isometric movements that engage every muscle in the body, resulting in more calories burned and an increase in metabolism.
• Prenatal yoga is for pregnant women who want to engage in a safe exercise program during pregnancy. Prenatal yoga is best for speeding up labor and relieving pregnancy aches and swelling.

“We focus primarily on Vinyasa Yoga at The Pilates Body in both heated and non-heated classes,” Dachille said. “Vinyasa is based on vigorous flowing movement, and when it is practiced during a heated class, the room’s temperature is set to about 95 degrees with 60 percent humidity. Warming the body and muscles promotes increased flexibility and perfuse sweating, which can be detoxifying.”

There are several benefits of yoga, Dachille explained. These include strengthening, toning, increased flexibility, increased balance and decreased stress. “As with any type of exercise, though, you should discuss yoga with your physician before starting if you have a medical condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, orthopaedic problems or any other condition that could be worsened by yoga,” she said.

Pilates, first and foremost, is a physical fitness based exercise program developed during World War I by Joseph Pilates to treat and rehabilitate soldiers in German military camps, according to Dachille. It later became popular in New York City when dancers began practicing pilates to stay fit and limber. 

“The focus of pilates movement is the stabilization of the core, or center of the body,” Dachille explained. "From the core center, each pilates exercise engages the area of the deep abdominal muscles, pelvic and shoulder girdles, and the muscles surrounding the spine. Unlike yoga, the focus of each move is inward based and 'controlled.'”

Dachille explained that pilates is known for creating long and lean muscles, improving posture, and correcting imbalances in muscle use and development. It can also protect the body from future injury and instability issues common to athletes. 

Think of a golfer, tennis player, or runner, who repeatedly overworks the same set of muscles, often leading  to injuries and pain during and after participating in that sport.  

Pilates is an extremely healthy and vigorous symmetrical exercise system for ALL muscle groups that benefits an athlete’s game in the following ways:

• Increases range of motion, giving the athlete a better swing, hit, stance, etc.
• Increases flexibility and stability in the muscles and joints of the lower body which is important for quick lunges, running and side to side movements
• By training the intrinsic musculature, especially in the core and around the spine, the athlete has more control over their body, better preparing them for quick twists, turns, hits and falls, thus helping to prevent injury
• Pilates can help detect and correct muscular imbalances which are common in athletes due to favoring and overusing a specific area of the body repeatedly

Pilates is much safer than weight training and harsh impact exercise routines and is often used for the rehabilitation of injury, muscle weakness and chronic pain, according to Dachille.

“Pilates is very safe for almost everyone, from the young to the elderly, the fit to the most out of shape person,” Dachille said. “Because each and every movement in pilates is focused, precise and controlled, there are rarely any injuries or problems that occur from its practice. Often, people begin a pilates program as a result of an injury from another sport, impactful exercise routines like jogging, or chronic pain. However, people should NOT begin pilates while they are in the acute phase of an injury.”

The movements in pilates can easily be modified, or adapted, to meet the restrictions of each participant. 

Qualified instructors are thoroughly trained to use these modifications as part of their certification process.   

For more information, contact Dachille at The Pilates Body at 724- 941-2411 or visit www.thepilatesbody.org.