What is the difference between Pilates and Yoga?
Pilates and yoga are both wonderful and have great benefits, but there are differences. Pilates has a conditioning program and segmental articulation of the spine, yoga has a spiritual component and linear pattern with the spine. Also, Pilates incorporates equipment such as the reformer to boost strength quicker than with bodyweight alone. Transcript: "Great question. What is the difference between Pilates and yoga? While both are wonderful and have great benefits to them, there are definite differences. With yoga, it's more of a spiritual component, whereas with Pilates it's more of a conditioning program. The second thing is what happens with the spine. In Pilates we have classic exercises like the roll up where we do segmental articulation of the spine, whereas in yoga it's more of a linear pattern with the spine and you're hinging a lot more from the hips like in downward dog. The third reason and why I'm in the Pilates studio today is to show you that there is equipment with Pilates. There are what we call the reformer. And with the reformer, there is spring tension that you load the machine with. And what I find is that with spring tension you can boost your strength much quicker than with bodyweight on the mat. So I hope that helps clear up what the differences are. And those are my three favorites."
PJ O'Clair
Intl. Master Pilates, Mind Body Educator & Author
Great question. What is the difference between Pilates and yoga? While both are wonderful and have great benefits to them, there are definite differences. With yoga, it's more of a spiritual component, whereas with Pilates it's more of a conditioning program. The second thing is what happens with the spine. In Pilates we have classic exercises like the roll up where we do segmental articulation of the spine, whereas in yoga it's more of a linear pattern with the spine and you're hinging a lot more from the hips like in downward dog. The third reason and why I'm in the Pilates studio today is to show you that there is equipment with Pilates. There are what we call the reformer. And with the reformer, there is spring tension that you load the machine with. And what I find is that with spring tension you can boost your strength much quicker than with bodyweight on the mat. So I hope that helps clear up what the differences are. And those are my three favorites.
Carol Earle
Pilates Instructor and Movement Specialist
What is the difference between Pilates and yoga? Both are what we would call mind-body exercise? Yoga has more of a spiritual element to it. So achieving that, that sense of higher Consciousness and Asana, which are the yoga. Postures is one way that you achieve that goal in Pilates are mind/body component is much more about being aware of how you're moving. We use the term proprioception which really means knowing where your body is in space at any given time. So for any movement that you do or any action or any exercise, you know, where the mobility is coming from, where the stability is coming from, where the balance is, you know, the right degree of muscle activation to achieve that particular movement or action. Both exercises or forms of exercise. Focus on posture and alignment and strengthening of muscles and core strengthening and balance. They're both great to do. I practice both, I hope that helps answer your question.