Which class for better posture + flexibility - yoga or pilates?

[Patchworksack]

I'm on a self-imposed project to improve my running from a shuffle and get my 5k/10k times below 30 mins/1 hr. I have joined a gym and had an induction session in which the (actually v helpful and positive) PT said I had rounded shoulder, tight pecs, weak core, tight hamstrings and one leg much stronger than the other. really it's a wonder I can get from A to B at all He recommended something like yoga or pilates. I am doing 2 gym sessions (mixture of cardio and weights) a week plus Parkrun at the weekends. What's the difference between yoga and pilates and which would you recommend?

I know this isn't what you asked, but if you want to get your 5k and 10k times down you really need to run more than once a week. There is loads you can do - tempo runs, longer runs, hills - all mixed up during a weekly programme, that will have a huge HUGE impact on your race speed. Come and join us on the Running thread.

To answer your specific question, both yoga and pilates will help you if you are looking to improve your overall flexibility, core strength and focus on areas of imbalance/ weakness. They are also both good complements to running (which makes you tight in your hamstrings and calves).

Yoga is about movement with breath, and I would describe it as more holistic and inward looking than Pilates (I find it calms my mind, which isn't what I went to the class for, but just a great bonus). I find I get more from yoga; poses are held for much, much longer so you get a very deep stretch. You will also build strength, particularly as you get a bit more experienced and more flexible you will find you get deeper into poses and into more advanced poses too.

Pilates is more toning but also some lovely stretching movements. It is also focuses a lot on your overall posture, which sounds ideal for you with your tight pecs and rounded shoulders (sounds like me a year ago!!)

I personally think what will make the biggest different is finding an instructor that you love - my yoga instructor is AMAZING and I think that's why I feel I get more out of it.
Have fun whatever you do, and good luck with the running.

Thank you Daisy! I know I need to run more really but it's difficult finding time/motivaton to get out. I do the Daily Mile three days a week with my children before school starts and the gym is near school so it just fits in to go there immediately afterwards, run on the treadmill and then do some weights too. I am in a local running club but dark evenings in the cold and wet have just not happened over the last few months. I am a fair weather runner!

Yoga has deeper flowing movements, you typically move across the mat a lot more, with a combination of standing, seated and lying down postures. It’s great for building strength, balance and flexibility. There are many styles, most common: vinyasa- a flowing class where you move through postures continuously; ashtanga- a set series of postures you work through (very physical); restorative/yin- more focus on relaxation and deep stretches, mainly mat based very little standing sequences - great to stretch hamstrings, open hips etc.

So there’s really no such thing as just “yoga” depends a lot of the class style. My mum runs a yoga studio and half her yin class is runners who use it to prevent injury.

Pilates is smaller, contained movements that mainly target your core. It’s more mat based and more repetitive. It’s brilliant for toning and core strength, less about flexibility I’d say.

Hope that helps.