Asking anyone with experience of both yoga and pilates

[WearyCat]

I have never had the opportunity to do a Pilates class, but I have a deep and historically physically strong yoga practice (Ashtanga, vinyasa flow). I’m dealing with some back and joint pain and the GP yesterday said I should do Pilates because of its core work. I feel my yoga practice requires a very strong core and have never had any issues with that, I’m pretty strong. (At the moment my problem is recruiting that strength because using my core also uses muscles in my back which are so very painful.)

Anyway I wanted to ask if anyone can tell me- is Pilates actually better than yoga for the core, or is it that many people think of yoga as gentle stretching rather than a very physical activity if you want it to be? (Avoiding the fact that yoga has far more to it than a physical practice, which is why I practice it really.)

Thank you @stshapbl i thought it was mechanical but actually I feel now that it may be inflammation related (and dr is testing for this) so I am keeping gentle for now. I’ll hope to be able to go back to strong exercise though at some point or I’ll lose all my strength and fitness.

If you can afford it maybe try a 1:1 Pilates class so that they can focus on what you need. There are also specialist Pilates teachers who support rehab.

Personally for me, pilates helped my lower back pain more than yoga. I have a degenerated lower disc and get pain when my nerve is pinched.

However, as has been mentioned choose your class very carefully. I was really lucky that near me we had a studio run by a pilates expert. You were not allowed into the general classes without doing a 6 week class first, embedding the basics. Classical mat course i think it was. I then continued and my back pain really improved.

I decided recently to go to a 'pilates' class at my local gym as a nice change to the weights I'd been doing. It was so not pilates but some revved up fitness and tone class I left after 15 minutes. I really felt for my friend who had gone to this class, having been recommended pilates by the GP but she had no prior knowledge as to what pilates should look like.

I do enjoy yoga too for the holistic well being I find it brings.

I have also found Pilates better for lower back pain. My Pilates teacher is very well trained (she keeps using us as guinea pigs for her training course ideas!) and gives so many alternatives for different levels and for injuries.
I used to do a lot of yoga but can't remember anyone adapting moves to this level.

I'm a pilates teacher ( classically trained) with many years teaching experience.
Pilates (the classical repertoire as opposed to gym based fitness classes called "pilates" on or off reformers...) is all about the spine. In pilates we work from the inside out - a properly trained teacher will assess your movements on the reformer as a starting point ( the machine is used to give reference points for the teacher while the client executes different exercises...see it like a plumb line of sorts) The reformer gives your teacher information about any misalignments...then ( and this part is very important) the teacher can make a choice about which OTHER piece of equipment will help correct or challenge the client ( matwork is the most challenging as it does not offer reference or support). If you only work on the reformer you are missing a huge part of the system and missing out on the benefits as ell.

When the spine is aligned the rest of the body can work in balance. Which is why pilates is good for back pain ect...the "core" support the spine, pelvis and torso which is what Pilates focuses on: strengthening and aligning as a first port of call.

Find a teacher who is comprehensively trained ( on all pieces of equipment - not just mat and reformer). Trust me when I say that teachers that have spent years and years to learn the full system will advertise it on their biography. If they do not mention comprehensive training they will lack the knowledge to help you properly and fully. When looking for a teacher do not accept anything less - this is your body and it's important you have the right tuition and support.

I hope that this helps. The pilates industry is not regulated so unfortunately anyone can advertise "pilates" but not all of it is real pilates: corrective, supportive and transformative & safe.

Good luck - :)

Thank you @EMPilates 🙏