AsiaLIFE

Pilates is gaining popularity alongside yoga these days. Although both are physical activities, neither is considered a cardiovascular workout.

Pilates and yoga share the same techniques to develop, tone and strengthen the muscles of the entire body – especially arms, legs, abdomen and back – by using the body’s own resistance to build power during movement. Pilates poses can be strikingly similar to yoga postures, yet there are some profound differences.

Yoga is an ancient practice originally practiced in northern India over 5,000 years ago. Inspired by the ancient yoga asanas, German athlete Joseph Pilates a created pilates 80 years ago. The biggest difference between them may be more philosophical than physical. While pilates takes a mind-body approach to exercise, yoga involves mind, body and spirit. Its principles come from Hindu ideals, encouraging practitioners to search for balance in their lives and lifestyle. You probably won’t find much of that in a pilates class, which focuses on mental concentration, breathing and movement.

The physical differences stem from their contrasting outlooks. Yoga is holistic, whereas pilates works mainly on the core muscles in your trunk, building strength there above all. Yoga, for the most part, involves static poses that are held while you explore breathing, physical feelings and emotions. Pilates is about moving in ways that strengthen your core trunk, including stabilising muscles. It seeks to develop longer, leaner “dancer” muscles. Although both techniques enhance both flexibility and strength, yoga puts a greater emphasise on flexibility, while pilates focuses more on toning.

Breathing and concentration are fundamental to both practices. The slight difference lies in that in pilates you inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth, while in yoga you inhale and exhale through the nose only. The choice depends on what you are looking for. If you want an exercise that improves flexibility while toning your muscles, especially the abs, then pilates may be a better choice. If you want to concentrate a bit more on flexibility and a little less on toning, and are also looking for something meditative that can help reduce stress, you should probably try yoga. Either choice is great.