Yoga is not Pilates and Pilates is not Yoga.
The two disciplines are very different. It’s like asking for a glass of champagne and getting a pint of beer.
Pilates and Yoga are both considered mind-body exercise and methods of movement and here is where the confusion comes in.
Yoga was developed to prepare the mind and body for meditation. Whilst Pilates was developed to work the body through specific movements to strengthen and improve its function.
Reformer Pilates is very different to Yoga in that we use a reformer machine to add resistance to exercises and to challenge the body further. Yoga requires moving from one static posture to the next, whilst Pilates flows through a series of movements that are more dynamic, systematic and anatomically based.
The Goal of Pilates is to strengthen the postural muscles while achieving optimal functional fitness
Yoga Vs Reformer Pilates
| YOGA |
| Technical Bit |
| Isometric Muscle Movements |
| Scientific research to reduce anxiety / depression |
| Designed to Prepare the body for meditation |
| East orientation |
| No weighted exercise used |
| Strength |
| Different yoga practises build endurance in every large muscle group but strength is not the main focus. |
| Yoga is more about how you feel |
| Back Pain |
| Yoga improves spinal flexibility and strength however certain postures are a no go for those with back pain i.e. deep back bends and cobra’s |
| Flexibility |
| Enhances flexibility and increasing joint motion range |
| Mental Wellbeing |
| Spiritual wellbeing integral to yoga – physical practice gives the body a feeling of balance wellbeing |
| Abs of Steel |
| Whilst Yoga does work the core muscles it isn’t its main focus |
| REFORMER PILATES |
| Technical Bit |
| Eccentric Muscle Movements |
| Scientifically researched and based exercises |
| Designed to rehabilitate and strengthen the body |
| West orientation |
| Use resistance weight to help tone and streamline your body |
| Strength |
| Reformer uses resistance and weight to build strength and emphasis on physical conditioning.
It works all the muscle Groups resulting in a leaner, stronger body |
| Pilates is about how you look |
| Back Pain |
| Focus on spinal flexibility through articulation and evening out the spine. Focus on core and pelvic stability and alignment – Pilates is excellent at strengthening and supporting your back. |
| Flexibility |
| Rather than just stretching to increase flexibility – Focus on why certain muscles are tight and resolves the problem with balancing out the muscles that have gone to sleep |
| Mental Wellbeing |
| Pilates requires concentration which can distract you from daily worries but wellbeing isn’t a primary focus as it is in yoga |
| Abs of Steel |
| Pilates has a unique focus on core muscles in trunk and pelvis and is the best way to build core strength – nothing flattens and forms a stomach like Pilates. |
