Yoga or Pilates?

[Dancergirl]

I would like to take up one or the other on a regular basis, and maybe with my dds too (they are 14, 13 and nearly 9).

My only experience of yoga was during pregnancy and I really enjoyed it. Pilates I have done more recently when I was a member of a private sports' club but stopped that now as it was too expensive.

What are the relative benefits of yoga and pilates? And what's the best way to do it? Some of my friends have a private teacher who comes home. Can adults and children do it together?

They are similar in building core strength and stability, yoga probably improves flexibility more and there is a lot more variation in styles, with some being very meditative (eg kundalini) right through to very athletic (asthanga). Yoga imo is more child friendly. I also think it is a great tool for kids for relaxation and dealing with stress and getting the mind-body connection that provides acceptance and appreciation of your body. I think this is incredibly valuable for girls and women in today's society that is so focused on physical appearance. I would talk to a private yoga instructor about a lesson for the three of you together, see what they think, kids yoga is usually adapted to make it more fun but there may be a way of making it work

Thanks. What's the best way to find a private teacher, ask around?

I think most of the teachers at my local studios offer private lessons, I would either get a recommendation from your friends or try a few different classes to find an instructor/style that you like and approach the teacher.

The Wheel of Yoga can help with accredited teachers. Otherwise yes just word of mouth is probably best.

Thanks, and what are the different types of yoga? This is all new to me!

Hatha is the most gentle, Iyengar is more static, Ashtanga is dynamic, Bikram is hot!

I'm sure someone else with a far greater depth of knowledge will come along and post more detailed analysis but that's my general thinking on it.

I would say you need to try both yoga and pilates to see which you like best. As others have said, there are different kinds of yoga, so if you feel the one you try is too slow, too fast, too 'woo', too easy, too hard etc, try another.

I like Vinyasa and Ashtanga because they are physically challenging and as well as meditative. According movement with each breath stops my mind wandering and allows me to focus on the moment, which I find very relaxing & calming but struggle with in RL.

Re practicing with children - That depends on your DC, really. How interested are they in yoga/pilates, and how focused or disruptive are they in general? It could work in the long run, but I would recommend getting them separated in a kids' class, without you.

I think I would prefer yoga and the mind-body part would really benefit dd2 in particular.

Spoke to a couple of teachers who say they charge £50-£80 per session! There's no way I can pay that, what do other people do, go to a group class?

tbh £50-£80 sounds cheap Dancer - when I asked my instructor it was £120-£150 . £50-£80 seems fair enough when you think what they earn teaching a whole class. So I would look for kids classes for the DD's and a class for you, yes.

When the DD"s are teens if they are enjoying it then they should be able to join the adult class.

I prefer Pilates. It makes you really strong and I find it really beneficial. I'd advise trying both though.

Yes, definitely try both. Pilates is based on the principles of Yoga but they are quite different in a fundamental (breathing rhythm) way, as well. Some people feel at home with one, some feel the same with the other. It's hard to predict where your preferences will lie.

yoga yoga yoga

Don't like yoga; Pilates is more mind engaging. And Pilates is not based on yoga, although some of the moves are similar. Yoga classes seem to last longer than an hour but Pilates passes in a flash because I have to think about each exercise but it's not meditative. The benefits are similar AFAIK.

"Joseph Pilates, was heavily influenced by yoga and Zen meditation when he created the technique now known as 'pilates' " he himself practiced yoga before going on to create pilates.

That's me told! I thought he was a gymnast to begin and invented Pilates to help after injury. Dancers and lots of top sports people do Pilates for core strength to avoid or minimise physical damage.

cresset - Am I right in assuming that you have only ever tried one of he more gentle & meditative practices of yoga like Hatha?

Come to my Vinyasa or Ashtanga classes one day and then we'll talk about whether pilates is more like exercise and passes more quickly

Cote, I have only done Hatha as you say, but as I live in the back end of nowhere, your classes may not be an option! Where are you?

When I said "my classes", I didn't want to give the impression that I was teaching yoga. Just the ones I go to

I'm not in the UK, but I expect Vinyasa & Ashtanga classes would be more or less the same wherever you live. If you have a yoga studio nearby (where you have done Hatha), you should be able to find them, too.

Gotcha! I did Hatha in a church hall, with a friend... no yoga studio close by!

How about YouTube? Search for Ashtanga or Vinyasa yoga classes.

Types kinds of yoga are imho very different than Hatha - faster, with each breath corresponding to a different pose. There isn't much navel gazing at all, and they are physically pretty difficult to do. If you give it a go, I think you might be surprised

Having done and enjoyed both, I'd say, not very helpfully, that its more about finding a teacher you work well with, including their approach, costs, availability etc. Enjoy.

I agree that the teacher is everything in yoga. Well, if not everything, then at least 80-90% of whether I enjoy a class or not.

Yes I agree the teacher plays a big part in wether you enjoy a class but being a lady of 61 been around yoga for many years and never contemplated Pilates until now because of arthritic knees and I love it but if York young like I think you are then build up your yoga practice X