Yoga v Pilates: Which is For You?

EYOGA PILATES FOLLOWERS SWEAR BY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR CHOSEN METHODOLOGY, BUT HOW DO YOU KNOW WHETHER YOGA OR PILATES IS RIGHT FOR YOU? WE HELP BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU! MEET THE COMPETITORS YOGA Yoga is a holistic, philosophical approach to fitness. It was created in India as many as 5,000 years ago and was brought to the Western World more than 100 years ago. Yoga emphasizes balance in all areas - equally strengthening all muscle groups, creating mental and physical balance. PILATES Pilates was created in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates. Physical therapists use it in recovery programs urging clients to keep up the exercises for protection against future injuries. Pilates is abdominal intensive, using the core abdominal for every movement, strengthening and enhancing posture and agility. CORE PRINCIPLES Proper Breathing YOGA Proper Relaxation Positive Thinking and Meditation. Proper Diet Proper Exercise PILATES Control Precision Centering Flow Concentration Breath MIND BODY & SPIRIT YOCA Both Yoga and Pilates bring an understanding that the mind and body are connected. However, Yoga adds an additional element to the mix-the spirit. Exploring spirituality is a huge part of Yoga practice, especially through meditation. If you're looking to explore a whole philosophy, Yoga may be worth considering. PILATES Pilates focuses on creating an understanding that the mind and body are connected and how this can help in everyday life, but doesn't explore your spirituality like Yoga does. FOR STRETCHING, FLEXIBILITY & STRENGTH YOGA Yoga is ideal if stretching is your main goal. There are several types of Yoga and one is bound to fit your needs and personality. Yoga is a useful tool to increase joint flexibility. Factors like sedentary lifestyles, our jobs and even our age can have a detrimental effect on our flexibility. PILATES Pilates emphasizes core strength more than stretching, though if you work with a dedicated trainer he/she can integrate stretches in your routine. Pilate's exercises challenge your core while also emphasizing strengthening your back, arms, inner thighs, and gluts. FOR RUNNERS Yoga is effective for runners because it involves a YOCA Over time they will start to recruit help from other muscles that aren't used to dynamic stretching of muscles that are either stressed by over-exercise, or shortened through overuse. carrying that workload either, or they will break down. Yoga helps manage the workload that your hips, knees, ankles, quads, hamstrings and calves regularly get through. PILATES You'll gain core strength and improve the balance in the muscles of the hips, back and legs. Our posture is a key factor for successful running and Pilates aims to correct postural imbalances, improve body alignment, and make movement more efficient thus reducing the chance of injury. FOR WEIGHT LOS YOGA PILATES One hour of Yoga, depending on the style, will burn anywhere from 200 to 630 calories. One hour of Pilates will burn 270 to 460 calories per session, depending on whether you are a beginner or advanced. THE CLASS YOGA Another element that is often Many Yoga classes are flexible in routine. Postures, sequences and variations can be combined into tens of brought into a Yoga class is meditation. Many Yoga classes use a chant or meditation to bring in the focus and dedication at the beginning, and to seal in and appreciate the benefits of the practice at the end. thousands of routines to create a class. So it will be up to the style of Yoga you practice and the teacher guiding you to decide what's on the agenda. PILATES Pilates classes are a little more structured. Because of this, you will more likely know what to expect when you walk in the door of a Pilates class than a Yoga class. Pilates is generally a more active class. It puts great emphasis on using the deep abs and pelvic floor while the limbs move three-dimensionally in space. THE WORKOWT YOGA In a Yoga class, you will work out every muscle in your body equally. Each posture is accompanied by a counter-posture to ensure you create balance in your body. While core-strength is definitely an important element in Yoga, it is more of a piece of Yoga, rather than the entire focus. PILATES Pilates classes offer a total body workout but focus on aligning the spine and strengthening the core. The exercises done in Pilates classes almost always involve regimented movements to gain core and spine strength. Some classes and one-on-one sessions use machines to gain strength, while others keep you on the mat and use your body's resistance to build results. WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU? YOGA If you are certain you want your practice to be spiritual and are looking to manage your stress, Yoga may be the better option for you. Try Yoga if you want a more relaxed free-flow exercise that's about balance and not only exercising, but enriching life. Yoga helps you manage stress and gain strength, cardio and flexibility in one shot. ПИТЕЗ If your priority is to focus on your back and core, Pilates may be a better fit. Try Pilates if you are a dancer or athlete who wants to elevate his or her game, if you want flat abs, to strengthen your back, or if you've been injured. VOCA PILATES BOTTOM LINE If you don't know where to start, try them both. If you are leaning towards one or the other, try them both anyway. That's the only way to really know which practice you will enjoy and benefit from most. iquid REFERENCES www.worldrunning.com/articles/yoga-and-pilates-for-runners Tifestgle www.yourdailypractice.com/blog/which-is-better-for-stretching-yoga-or-pilates www.active.com/fitness/articles/yoga-versus-pilates-which-one-s-right-for-you www.tescoliving.com/health-and-wellbeing/fitness/2013/october/yoga-vs-pilates-which-workout-is-for-you www.care2.com/greenliving/5-yoga-poses-that-increase-hip-flexibility.html www.liquidlifestyle.ca