Yoga or Pilates?

Question

Which one is better?

Answer 1

Pilates most definitely! It changes your body for the better! I purchased a pilates machine from QVC for about $400, and that was the best investment I could have ever made! Check out this site by Marjolein Brugman. She's the woman responsible for bringing pilates to the mainstream. You can sign up for free newsletters, and access information on her site for free.

Answer 2

It depends on a lot of things. One, your body. Do you have injuries or disabilities? If you do, then Pilates is better, because it is used a lot in rehabilitation, and most instructors are thoroughly trained how to modify their exercises to suit injuries. In fact, many of them market their classes specifically for people who have bad backs etc.

Two, what is available. Whether you enjoy any exercise class depends a lot on the teacher. The Pilates school in your area may have a great teacher, or he/she may be someone you just don't get along with. You won't know till you try a class. Same goes for the Yoga school.

Three, your personal preferences. Everyone likes different ways of moving. You might enjoy the kind of movements that you do in Yoga, or you may prefer the style of Pilates. Again, you can't know till you try.

Both types of exercise are worthwhile. The faster, more energetic types of yoga do seem to have a higher incidence of injuries, especially where props are used. However if you remember that in yoga, you should never force a movement, you will be fine. If your yoga teacher ever urges you to stretch through pain or physically pushes you into a position, go find another teacher.

Answer 3

Pilates

Answer 4

You can't really say if one is better than the other. There are many similarities and differences between yoga and pilates.

The most fundamental similarity between Yoga and Pilates lies in that both use breathing as the means to focus the mental concentration. Breathing is coordinated with the body movements.

Many exercise positions of Pilates are similar to those of Yoga (called poses by Yogis). This similarity obviously stems from the fact that Joseph Pilates, the originator of Pilates program, studied Yoga among other disciplines of fitness before he created his own program of exercises.

As far as differences are concerned, a pronounced difference lies in the approach of the programs towards the purpose of exercise. In Pilates, the different exercise positions are purported to enhance the physical and mental elements of human body. It focuses on coordinated movements.

Yoga, on the other hand, is a philosophy and holds more than Pilates. Yoga aims at uniting the body, mind, and spirit. Many Yogis do not consider Yoga to be a set of exercises but a systematic way of attaining unity of breathing and mental concentration in form of seated meditation. It is, at its core, a therapeutic approach, which enables the mind and body to heal against all kinds of stress.

Answer 5

I love them both. Yoga is good for relaxation, but I would recommend pilates more for losing weight or just getting toned up. I lost 25 lbs with pilates in a two month period and I probably would have lost more if I was on a diet.

Answer 6

Pilates.

Answer 7

I like Pilates

Answer 8

I'm a yoga person myself. But they're both amazing! If you want good intense stretching go with pilates, but if you want to relax and deepen your understanding of your body go with yoga. Both are major stress relievers.

Answer 9

The only one answer that is YOGA.

Yoga is not merely an excercise regime it is a way of living. So only yoga stands at top in any of the system of work out.

Answer 10

Pilates....but there's no reason not to do both.