Pilates or yoga? Someone must have suggested either to you as a simple way to strengthen your core and improve your fitness without having to get a gym membership or be in "gym" shape. This is true, but there are some distinct differences between the two forms of excercise. This step will help you determine which will be better for you by comparing key aspects of Pilates and yoga.
Instructions
1. Consider your primary needs. Do you need to stretch better or do you want a stronger core? Do you need to lengthen your body or improve your breathing? For stretching, yoga in general is better than Pilates. However, Pilates focuses on several types of core exercises that will strengthen your back and abdominals. And breathing is important in Pilates, but more so in yoga. Balance your needs to figure out which is best for you, but the best suggestion is to do both.
2. Compare styles. Pilates has five major styles: Winsor, Stott, Fletcher, Power and Rael. There are at least a dozen primary yoga styles. Most Pilates styles incorporate small equipment like towels and exercise balls, while several Yoga styles need just a mat but differentiate based on breathing techniques and formations. A lot of yoga is also based on Indian religious tradition. Depending on your instruction there may be more or less focus on the religious aspects of yoga.
3. Compare learning in a group versus learning alone. Although both forms of exercise can be done in groups, yoga seems to be the easiest to learn in a group versus Pilates. Pilates does have movements that require concentration on form, but there are much more faster transitions from one exercise to the next in Pilates than in yoga, which may take some additional instruction and observation to learn proper form and technique. If you want to work alone, Pilates is your best shot at catching on quickly.
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