Whats the difference between Pilates and Yoga ?

[Cathy1]

I'm thinking of starting one of these but I don't know what the difference is. Basically I want to so something that : 1. Will improve my fitness, flexibility etc 2. Is relaxing, 3. Will keep my back exercised and strong as I have a history of mild lower back problems which I think are only going to recure more frequently with age 4. I am not great at keeping up classes so ideally it should be an activity I will enjoy and hopefully feel the benefit of pretty early on (even if that is a stretching/calming benefit). Also - I don't want to spend too much on classes so will prob buy a video to do at home after the first set of classes and then maybe go back from time to time for a class situation.

Any advice ?

Not sure I could tell you the difference but I did do a lot of Pilates (before dd and have yet to find the time to restart properly). I have 2 Pilates videos (one called Body Control not sure of the other one, but both are by Lynne Robinson) which I found to be very good. The instructions are clear and you really do feel a difference to your body very quickly. I still make an effort to readjust my posture whenever I am feeling slumped over due to carrying dd. Like yoga, pilates is all about controlled movements timed with breathing and the moves aren't that complicated (although can be hard).

Pilates is a series of exercises that were developed for dancers by a gymnast - it does have similarities with yoga as it involves standing movements and matwork, and works on small movements and stretching to strengthen and lengthen muscles. There is a relaxation period but it's about muscles, not meditation. Yoga is a much more varied animal, some classes are intensely spiritual and involve chanting and holding poses for a long time to strengthen the mind, others involve jumping into very complex postures (Ashtanga) and is hot, fast and tough. Most yoga classes are in between and involve going through a series of postures that will vary week by week, and work on balance, muscular strength, suppleness and mental clarity. Both will usually improve your body and strength and make you feel looser. I think both would meet your requirements. Pilates is good for backs. With both, though regular classes are not only a great motivator but will make sure you do the exercises correctly. Pilates in particular is based on very precise, small movements which work deep muscles, but if your alignment etc is wrong, they won't do anything for you.

I've been to both yoga and pilates.

I prefer pilates as there is no spiritual stuff involved. I found that a little irritable in yoga, even though it was prob only one or two sentences - it came at the end of a relaxation 'and focus on your inner being, your true spritual centre' or some such nonsense.

I've had two different pilates teachers - one whilst the other was on mat leave. The regular one came back from mat leave looking like she'd never had a baby and focused on 'zip and hollow' which is tightening your pelvic floor and pulling in your lower abs. Her classes are very dance-like and I can lots of similaritites to ballet.

The other teaches Reiki and relaxation and meditation. Her pilates classes are different - still work on core strength but much more slow movement and less dance like.

I guess like most things you have to try it and see how you go. And not write off the whole lot because it might just be the instructor's slant which doesn't suit you.

HTH

You can pronounce yoga

I used to do alot of pilates before I was pregnant and was quite an expert. It strengthens up those 'core' stomach muscles which inturn helps to support your back.
I must admit I didn't do it whilst I was pregnant (although you can) and I went to a class last week (it's now 4months since I gave birth) and I felt like a spaz as I was back to beginner level. I'm sure it won't take long to get back those muscles, but you just don't realise how much being pg effects them.
I find the great thing about pilates is that there are several levels and you don't have to be at the same level as everyonelse in the class, so you can go at your own pace.

Cathy1 - Do you think if you buy a video, that you will find the time to do it? I find that the only way I get to do exercise is to get out of the house (as there's always something that needs doing at home!). Although I suppose it depends whether your child(ren) are at home/school.

The difference between Yoga and Pilates is about 5000 years of practice, testing and evolution... Pilates has only been around about 50 years, though of course Josef Pilates' happily admitted that he took a lot from Yoga in his system ;-)

A less sarcastic answer might point out that Pilates is really an exercise form, whereas Yoga is a holistic system for wellbeing that is aimed at the whole body - that is, physical-energetic-mental-emotional-spiritual wellbeing.
It's just in the west it gets mistaken for exercise...