Pilates and yoga

[Gonnagetgoing]

I currently do vinyasa flow yoga once a week but suffer with some back pain mostly related to posture and sitting in a chair as I now work from home permanently as opposed to going into the office before and commuting.

I’ve recently done a group Pilates session with a teacher which went well and I was speaking to her about doing 1:1 sessions which a friend of mine does with another Pilates teacher.

She’s come back to me with expensive costs even if booked in eg block bookings. I knew Pilates was expensive but it’s a lot of money. She does do group classes however too.

A friend and her Pilates teacher (different person to the one above) were speaking to me the other day and said 1:1 sessions are far better than group classes but my friend is recovering from a stroke and has obesity issues so I think may need the 1:1 attention which I’m unsure I need fully.

My question is, is Pilates in a group session worth it is or should I stick to yoga?

I would try the group sessions. There shouldn’t be too many in a group Pilates class anyway so the teacher can watch you and correct.

Pilates has been far better for my back than yoga ever was (in fact Yoga knackered it).

A specialist pilates studio should have small groups (6 max for reformer, maybe 6-8 for a mat class). IME lots of people have a couple of121s to start with so the teacher gets to know their specific issues and teach the very basics, then join that teacher's next beginners class.
I pay about £50/hour for 121, but about £12-£15 for my group classes. I do both, but then I have some fairly serious joint issues.

What you want to avoid is larger classes, and also pilates classes within a gym - usually much bigger, less personal attention, and whilst some will be well qualified teachers, some are fitness coaches who have done a weekend course only, rather than years of study. Also these types of classes are often also mixed ability, which makes it harder to meet your needs, whereas a specialised studio would have beginners, intermediate, advanced at the very least - and would still need to adapt exercises within that small specific class, for individuals.

I would try online, I use The Yoga Class www.theyogaclass.co . They give access to so so many great Yoga and Pilates classes for a small subscription fee per month. I think you also get a 14-day free trial.

Been amazing for me as I can fit in a quick 20 or 30 min session when I am at home when works for me. They have an app too which makes it super easy to use

hope this helps

I wouldn't do online if injured or if I hadn't done Pilates before - the movements are precise and you need feedback from the teacher (who can also tailor them).

I do physio led group Pilates for £9 a class, around 12 people, it’s great, lots of individual attention from the teacher.

If it’s back pain from a WFH situation I wouldn’t assume it’s an injury, more a reduced use of certain muscles and bad posture from a low desk etc. The site I was mentioning obviously does yoga also

Hope you find the best solution for your back. :) I know this helped me

Good luck

Thanks all! I’m going to try a small Pilates class with the teacher I’m in touch with.

@mumof2boyzz I do think it could be a combination of whiplash to back which was never treated properly but also bad posture and reduced use of certain muscles as you say.