Difference Between Yoga and Pilates

Yoga vs Pilates
 

If you are interested in knowing different techniques to keep your body fit, then knowing the difference between yoga and pilates will help you. Adopting a healthy lifestyle has always been a mantra for those obsessed with leading a peaceful and worry free life. There are work out routines that many have adapted to their lifestyles such as a morning run or a cardio routine. Breathing and maintaining the balance of the body are an intricate part of any workout though they are not specified in the routine exercise of the past. The present generation has taken note of the importance of these two aspects in exercise and has, therefore, started to take up Yoga and Pilates.

What is Yoga?

Yoga involves a meditation ritual that purely reflects on the physical and mental aspects of a person. The meditation puts the person in a deep relaxed mode, whereas the movements help a person develop the physical frame. The practice of yoga has its roots in India which integrates the process of meditation most evidently present in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Yoga has been deemed to have several meanings, few of which are, “to control” and “to absorb”. Both meanings are practically present while following yoga. The control is required to control thought process while meditating and while holding postures. Absorption is present when a person only lets in the positive aura around him to maintain the meditation.

What is Pilates?

Pilates is a relatively new form of workout developed in Germany. Pilates instills the concept of control in the workouts and the person has to develop a control of mind and body in order to increase the strength of the body. Pilates also focuses on concentration and finding the centre of the body. The key to a good Pilates workout is breathing and precision. The contours of a body are so, and the intricacies of the Pilates put in place with the contours make it essential for a person to have perfect precision in holding up exercise moves.

What is the difference between Yoga and Pilates?

• As opposed to a routine Pilates workout which results in a well sculpted body, yoga is more of a lifestyle than a workout.

• Yoga also focuses on integrating the mind, body and soul whereas Pilates focuses more on elongated postures; this places yoga in a position to not only physically but also spiritually heal a person.

• Where breathing is an essential part of both yoga and Pilates, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth is practiced in Pilates. Yoga involves breathing through the nose only.

• Pilates also includes a few Pilates machines in the exercise, whereas yoga is a purely exercise mat routine.

Though the debate goes on as to which form of exercise is more effective, the answer simply lies in the fact that no one form of exercise suits everybody. Nowadays, some practice a combination of both Yoga and Pilates. There are people who may believe that they need physical exertion to maintain themselves, whereas in most cases what these people actually require is a mental relaxation. Stress is a major part of losing a healthy lifestyle and therefore if not in the form of yoga, then meditation should be made a part of the lifestyle.

Further Reading:

1. Difference Between Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga
2. Difference Between Yoga and Exercise
3. Difference Between Yoga and Power Yoga