The difference between Yoga and Pilates

I get this question a lot.  Here’s my version from the books and teachers who taught me and how I feel it in my body after 14 years.

Pilates and Yoga are mind/body exercises.  Yoga means “To Yolk” and Pilates is named after Joseph Hubertus Pilates who invented 34 floor exercises to complete in order for a full body strength and exercise routine.  He also invented Apparatus(exercise equipment) to move the body in all ranges of motion to help alleviate pain and the injuries in a safe, effective way.

There are 8 limbs to our yoga practice: Yama (Moral Discipline), Niyama (Observances), Asana(Physical Postures), Pranayama(breathing techniques), Pratyahara(sense withdrawal), Dharana(Concentration), Dhyana(meditation), Samadhi(Enlightenment)

There are 9 principles to Pilates: Breathing, Concentration, Control, Centering, Precision, Balanced Muscle Development, Rhythm/Flow, Whole Body Movement, Relaxation.

I’m a firm believer that each form of these movements can work together and can enhance other forms of movement.  We practice breath, concentration of movements, balance of mind and muscle, and finding the flow in mind and body as we move into and out of each pose/exercise.  

Are both forms of exercise hard?  For me the answer is yes.  We move up and down off the floor, we roll in ways we haven’t since we were kids, we twist to help our torso move this way throughout our day.  We strengthen our diaphragm with deep breath to make our movements efficient. We move our spine in all 6 directions.  We stretch our feet, our necks, our minds and every muscle aching to lengthen. But when we get into the flow state of movement, both Yoga and Pilates become easier. 

AND…who doesn’t love a little savasana -relaxation at the end of class!

I could obviously go on for pages, but it’s too sunny outside. So before you go play outside, or after you play outside, give yourself a few moments of yoga and pilates and see how it feels.