Yoga vs Pilates: Benefits, Differences and Everything You Need To Know
Okay, so you’ve decided you want to start working out. But you’re sick and tired of doing high-intensity workouts that leave you feeling drained. So, what do you do? Well, it’s time to look at some low-intensity alternatives. Down the rabbit hole of low-intensity workouts you may have stumbled upon Pilates and yoga. “But aren’t they the same thing?” Not really, both of these workouts have their similarities and differences. Each offering you a unique set of benefits. So, let’s look at Yoga vs Pilates side by side. This way you can easily find out which is better suitable for your needs.
Both of these workouts have their similarities and differences
In this article
Yoga vs Pilates
In this article
Both yoga and Pilates are low-intensity workouts that help you to focus on your breathing and show you how to use your body’s own weight and use it to work out. The benefits are many and both types of workouts can help with your overall health. This consequently, leads to a happier and healthier life.
Both yoga and Pilates are low-intensity workouts that help you to focus on your breathing
#Pilates
Pilates, named after it’s creator Joseph Pilates, began its practice at the end of the First World War. These types of workouts were used mainly as a way to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. Afterwards, Pilates started to popularize his method during 1923 in New York City and spent years perfecting his practice. It was a new style of exercises which actors, dancers, and athletes embraced wholeheartedly.
These types of workouts were used mainly as a way to rehabilitate wounded soldiers
By doing Pilates you work on strengthening and creating more muscle mass, as well as working on your stamina, your body posture, and flexibility. This type of work out is also amazing at strengthening your core, keeping your joints healthy and helps you to achieve better balance.
Pilates is also amazing at strengthening your core
Pilates focuses on the small movements, those which use important and stabilizing muscles all other the body. This includes the back, the stomach, the butt, and the thighs. You can practice Pilates at home on a mat or at specialized centers that have unique equipment. Pilates’ equipment isn’t like regular gym equipment. It uses mainly springs, levers and your own body weight to create resistance. Some studies show that Pilates can be practiced even by people suffering from arthritis, respiratory issues, as well as by people with joint or back pain.
Pilates focuses on the small movements
Benefits
- Improves stability and balance
- Increases core strength
- Helps with flexibility
- Can ease lower back pain
- Good for weight control
- Safe for most people
- Easy on the joints
- Low-intensity
Pilates’ equipment isn’t like regular gym equipment
This 15-minute Pilates can be done with no equipment
#Yoga
Yoga has been practiced for over 3000 years and is an ancient spiritual practice from India. This practice is based on relaxation, breathing, positive emotions, and meditation. Concentration and deep breathing are key elements in Yoga. While there are many different types of Yoga, all seem to focus on holding different poses and moving through different series of movements which are common for the practice. Yoga combines a mix of physical activities while emphasizing an awareness of movements and postures.
Yoga has been practiced for over 3000 years
The benefits of Yoga are too many to count. Alongside the physical and mental benefits, Yoga also has a positive effect on multiple health issues. This includes anxiety, depression, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, respiratory conditions and even high blood pressure.
The benefits of Yoga are too many to count
Benefits
- Eases neck and lower back pain
- Helps improve balance
- Improves sleep
- Eases stress-related illnesses
- Can aid with weight loss
- Eases symptoms of menopause
- Helps with knee pains
This practice is based on relaxation, breathing, positive emotions, and meditation
Try out this 20-minute Yoga workout
In a Nutshell
Both of these practices are similar, yet different. While they are both low-impact exercises there are some main differences. In Yoga, you adopt and hold a position or flow into another one. In Pilates on the other hand you adopt a position and then challenge your core by moving different body parts. Pilates also focuses more on the body, rather than the mind like Yoga.
Both of these practices are similar, yet different
This was Yoga vs Pilates. We hope you found this article useful. Now you know all the benefits, differences, and history of the practices. We hope you can choose the best workout for you and enjoy it!
Now you know all the benefits, differences, and history of the practices
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