Yoga and Pilates are two disciplines celebrated for their numerous health benefits: they allow a better connection with the body, relieve stress, develop flexibility, strength, control and endurance. Yet despite their common benefits and points of similarity in practice, these two disciplines differ in many ways.
In this article we will see what are the main differences between Yoga and Pilates, why they are alike and how to choose between the two.
What are the main differences between Yoga and Pilates?
At first glance, Yoga and Pilates can have many overlaps and seem like two similar and interchangeable disciplines.
In reality there are differences, indeed: the genesis of these two practices alone marks the first difference.
We have prepared a complete list to better orient you and clarify the main differences between Yoga and Pilates quickly and easily.
Let’s get started!
Yoga vs. Pilates: the origins
Yoga is a holistic discipline, an art and a science. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, which means ‘to unite’ or ‘to yoke’.
According to the yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to the union of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness, generating a perfect harmony between mind and body, human being and nature.
It is believed that the practice of Yoga began about 5,000 years ago, long before the birth of the first religions. In the yogic tradition, Shiva is seen as the first yogi and the first guru, while the first historical evidence of the existence of Yoga dates back to the pre-Vedic period, in 2700 BC.
The Pilates method, on the other hand, takes its name from Joseph Pilates, a teacher and entrepreneur who emigrated from Germany to Great Britain and then to the United States. It was he who invented the Pilates method in the early decades of the twentieth century, a new approach to exercising and training the body. His method drew inspiration from ancient oriental disciplines such as Yoga, introducing however the use of specific equipment for carrying out the exercises.
The original purpose of Pilates, in fact, was to devise a suitable practice for the physical recovery of injured dancers. To do this, he created a method that combined the principles of physiotherapy with those of oriental philosophies, the strength and endurance associated with calm and relaxation.
When we talk about Pilates, therefore, we are referring to an athletic discipline that has also taken inspiration from Yoga, but whose origins are much more recent.
Yoga vs. Pilates: the differences in practice
The main differences in the practice of Yoga and Pilates lie in the positions, in the type of exercises but also in the philosophy behind the two disciplines.
Yoga is based on the alternation and harmony between static positions ( asana ) and breathing control techniques ( pranayama ). Breathing in Yoga takes on an importance equivalent to that of asana positions and is essential for establishing balance between body and mind.
There are different types of Yoga and each has specific characteristics: some are more static, like Hatha Yoga, others more dynamic, like Ashtanga, or more focused on meditation, like Ananda Yoga.
Among the most common and practicable types of Yoga in Italy, we can list the following:
- Hatha Yoga . It is based on slow movements that require you to hold each position for a few breaths. Hatha classes are often considered to be one of the sweetest forms of Yoga. Due to its slower pace, it is ideal for those who are approaching this discipline for the first time.
- Vinyasa Yoga . This type of Yoga links breathing with dance-like movements. Positions are not held for long and this is a great way to increase your heart rate. The practice is usually accompanied by more lively music.
- Ashtanga Yoga . It is a more modern Yoga practice that derives from Hatha Yoga and is also defined as “meditation in movement”. It is made up of six series of Yoga positions that are repeated in a precise sequential order. It is based on a type of dynamic and vigorous exercise.
The list of types of Yoga is actually much broader, and includes disciplines such as Kundalini Yoga , Yin Yoga , Bikram Yoga < / strong> or Ananda Yoga .
Unlike Yoga, however, the practice of Pilates is purely physical and does not involve a meditative and spiritual work.
The movements of Pilates refer to Yoga positions, but they are not equivalent. First of all, the philosophy that makes Yoga a lifestyle rather than a physical discipline is missing.
For this reason, Pilates focuses on strengthening the body and its core : abdominals, back and all the muscles that contribute to maintaining healthy posture and the spine.
Yoga vs. Pilates: the tools
Another big difference between Yoga and Pilates lies in the tools needed to carry out the practice.
Yoga almost always requires only a mat , on which to alternate asana and pranayama. However, to facilitate certain positions, tools such as yoga blocks or yoga straps can sometimes be useful.
Pilates, on the other hand, requires a series of tools that are never used in yoga. You may find yourself using soft balls or fitballs, rubber bands and elastic bands, rollers and rings. This is because, as we have seen before, Pilates exercises are generally more dynamic than Yoga ones and aim to strengthen the core muscles.
Yoga or Pilates: which one to choose?
The choice between Yoga and Pilates depends on your goals.
If you are looking for a form of rehabilitation, for example, Pilates is proven to be very effective in reducing pain and helping recovery from physical injuries. Yoga, on the other hand, is used more as part of mental and emotional rehabilitation. If your focus is more on muscle toning, both Yoga and Pilates are wonderful for strengthening all muscle groups in the body. Between the two, however, Pilates tends to focus more on muscle toning exercises . Even when the goal is to lose weight, the tools used for Pilates exercises allow you to associate the positions with a cardiovascular effort that helps to burn more calories.
Many people dedicate themselves to Yoga to improve first of all their mental health , and this is a great choice. Practicing Yoga will relax your nervous system, lower your stress levels and greatly improve your posture. For this reason the practice of Yoga is particularly recommended for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle and need a low impact physical activity.
If the sphere of spirituality plays an important part in your life, the philosophy of Yoga It will help you develop this aspect too, because meditation is an integral part of the practice. In any case, you can decide to practice Yoga even without focusing on its more spiritual side: in this case you can opt for one of the modern types of Yoga and focus more on the postural or dynamic aspect than on the spiritual one.
To find the Yoga or Pilates teacher closest to you, do a search on Jopla!
