Yoga vs. Pilates
I made the mistake just recently of assuming that yoga and pilates were the same thing. You would have thought I asked for an eight ball of crack cocaine from some of the looks of disgust I received. Once again, I’m going to have to play the ignorant card. I had no idea yoga and pilates were so different. To aid anyone else out there who also believed they were the same thing, let me give you a quick run-down so you don’t get similar looks in public when you ask about it.
Yoga is designed to unite the body, mind and spirit. Yoga involves posing in various position with the purpose of promoting the feeling of well-being and strength. Practices may also include meditation, reflection, study and other classic elements.
Pilates is used as a training program to enhance muscle strength and stability. It emphasizes control, precision and concentration. Movements are not performed rapidly or repeated excessively as the focus is on quality not quantity. You will often hear pilates fanatics talking about their “core” which is the abdominal muscles, lower back and buttocks.
Tags: exercise, flexibility, pilates, stability, strength training, yoga
