Yoga vs. Pilates

elle tee · Jul 15th, 2008, 10:32 AM

So since I am terribly out of shape, I've been thinking about starting to exercise a little bit. I'm not looking to lose weight, just to tone up a little and improve my posture. There is a fitness studio/gym near me that offers yoga and pilates classes so I think I will start doing one of these. A friend recommended pilates to me, and I have heard that yoga would be good for what I want, also. However I have never tried either so I don't know what they involve. Can anyone explain what you would do at a class for each of these, and maybe describe any advantages/disadvantages for me? I know it's kind of a silly question, but I am TOTALLY clueless. Thanks!!

lcterp · Jul 15th, 2008, 10:37 AM

I'm haven't done much in terms of classes of either but I have done home DVD's of both so here is my personal opinion of them.

Yoga : Concentrates a lot on breathing and stretching. The poses will help your body relax while strengthening them at the same time with poses like planks and warrior. There is also a lot of balancing involved in yoga.

Pilates: I've only done pilates that focuses on Abs but I just feel pilates is more, smaller exercises whereas I feel Yoga is one long string of moving your body (if that makes sense). I would try both and see what you like and I'm sure some of the other ladies here can give you better definitions and opinions :)

meightry · Jul 15th, 2008, 11:03 AM

I've been doing yoga 6 days a week for the past 2 years. And I've taken some pilates classes. I definitely enjoy yoga a lot more. I find yoga to target my entire body, whereas pilates focuses primarily on my core.
You're going to improve your posture with either of the two. As for toning, it's definitely much easier to tone doing pilates. Whereas with yoga, it might take you a little bit more time to tone. I've found that flexibility is the biggest barrier in starting out yoga. Once you get to a certain level of flexibility, you can really start doing a lot of the asanas (poses) and then you'll start building muscles and getting toned.
But everyone's different in their preferences, I would recommend that you sign up for both yoga and pilates together. That way you can directly compare which you like better.

bagaholic85 · Jul 15th, 2008, 11:07 AM

ive been practicing yoga and pilates for about 6-7 years now. in pilates ur essentially ur own body as leverage to do exercises, focusing on your core (front and back muscles) and breathing techniques. it is actually based off of a lot of yoga poses and motions, but it is not the same. a good pilates class will leave your muscles aching from head to toe. if you are looking for overall body tone, i would say this is the way to go.

yoga on the otherhand, the main focus is balance (most people think its breathing, but balance is the true goal). the balance im referring to extends through mind/body/spirit while offering improvements in flexibility, balance, posture, and tone while calming the brain and improving all other systems in your body (digestive, circulation, the list goes on) through various asanas (poses). weightloss is often associated with yoga because of this. i.e. additional weight = imbalance. but u have to look at it as an added bonus, not the reason behind your practice.

i am obviously a yoga-head (as uve prob assumed from my post and avatar), but if you really wanna loose weight, i believe the best way to do so is 3-fold: aerobics, weight training, and yoga and/or pilates. each offers you different benefits, and it keeps you from getting bored with the same old routine (just my $0.02

)

juneping · Jul 15th, 2008, 12:37 PM

i also did both...i enjoy yoga more. pilates was bit tiring to me..after only 20 min i was ready to leave. it does focus alot on the core that's why it's so tiring to me. and i find yoga is more enjoyable and i hardly notice time. i tend to stare at the clock in pilates classes.

elle tee · Jul 15th, 2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by juneping

i also did both...i enjoy yoga more. pilates was bit tiring to me..after only 20 min i was ready to leave. it does focus alot on the core that's why it's so tiring to me. and i find yoga is more enjoyable and i hardly notice time. i tend to stare at the clock in pilates classes.

Thanks, June! This sounds like me. I get tired very easily, which is part of why I want to start doing something physical. It sounds like at the beginning, at least, yoga is a better choice for me. Perhaps I will move up to Pilates... my eventual goal is to be in good enough shape to take some Krav Maga classes (Israeli self-defense, I think this would be very good for my peace of mind since I get really paranoid and the ability to defend myself would make me calmer). It will be a while before I'm ready to do that, though- I can barely make it up the subway stairs without getting winded right now!

canadianstudies · Jul 15th, 2008, 02:29 PM

I like Pilates, although I will agree it is tiring... at the same time, you *will* lose inches on your waist, and who can argue with that?

Zophie · Jul 16th, 2008, 12:42 AM

I don't think all yoga and all pilates is the same, so I'd just try different classes and see what you like. I love the pilates routine I learned from the excellent teacher I had, but I tried another studio and I didn't think it was worth it. I've tried different types of yoga and some I liked and some just didn't click with me. I think they are both good for you though.

Jul 15th, 2008, 10:32 AM	#1
elle tee Member Joined: Dec 2006 Location: nyc Posts: 1,865	Yoga vs. Pilates So since I am terribly out of shape, I've been thinking about starting to exercise a little bit. I'm not looking to lose weight, just to tone up a little and improve my posture. There is a fitness studio/gym near me that offers yoga and pilates classes so I think I will start doing one of these. A friend recommended pilates to me, and I have heard that yoga would be good for what I want, also. However I have never tried either so I don't know what they involve. Can anyone explain what you would do at a class for each of these, and maybe describe any advantages/disadvantages for me? I know it's kind of a silly question, but I am TOTALLY clueless. Thanks!!

Jul 15th, 2008, 10:37 AM	#2
lcterp La bella vita Joined: May 2007 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 985	I'm haven't done much in terms of classes of either but I have done home DVD's of both so here is my personal opinion of them. Yoga : Concentrates a lot on breathing and stretching. The poses will help your body relax while strengthening them at the same time with poses like planks and warrior. There is also a lot of balancing involved in yoga. Pilates: I've only done pilates that focuses on Abs but I just feel pilates is more, smaller exercises whereas I feel Yoga is one long string of moving your body (if that makes sense). I would try both and see what you like and I'm sure some of the other ladies here can give you better definitions and opinions :) __________________ Terp Grad '07 Pitt Law '10 Currently on an EVERYTHING ban!!

Jul 15th, 2008, 12:37 PM	#5
juneping couch potato-ing Joined: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 1,562	i also did both...i enjoy yoga more. pilates was bit tiring to me..after only 20 min i was ready to leave. it does focus alot on the core that's why it's so tiring to me. and i find yoga is more enjoyable and i hardly notice time. i tend to stare at the clock in pilates classes. __________________ wish list: purse ban until the cc is paid off

Jul 16th, 2008, 12:42 AM	#8
Zophie I <3 my Maltese! Joined: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 6,889	I don't think all yoga and all pilates is the same, so I'd just try different classes and see what you like. I love the pilates routine I learned from the excellent teacher I had, but I tried another studio and I didn't think it was worth it. I've tried different types of yoga and some I liked and some just didn't click with me. I think they are both good for you though. __________________

Jul 15th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#3
meightry Member Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 87	I've been doing yoga 6 days a week for the past 2 years. And I've taken some pilates classes. I definitely enjoy yoga a lot more. I find yoga to target my entire body, whereas pilates focuses primarily on my core. You're going to improve your posture with either of the two. As for toning, it's definitely much easier to tone doing pilates. Whereas with yoga, it might take you a little bit more time to tone. I've found that flexibility is the biggest barrier in starting out yoga. Once you get to a certain level of flexibility, you can really start doing a lot of the asanas (poses) and then you'll start building muscles and getting toned. But everyone's different in their preferences, I would recommend that you sign up for both yoga and pilates together. That way you can directly compare which you like better.

Jul 15th, 2008, 11:07 AM	#4
bagaholic85 Member Joined: Sep 2007 Location: i <3 ny Posts: 2,067	ive been practicing yoga and pilates for about 6-7 years now. in pilates ur essentially ur own body as leverage to do exercises, focusing on your core (front and back muscles) and breathing techniques. it is actually based off of a lot of yoga poses and motions, but it is not the same. a good pilates class will leave your muscles aching from head to toe. if you are looking for overall body tone, i would say this is the way to go. yoga on the otherhand, the main focus is balance (most people think its breathing, but balance is the true goal). the balance im referring to extends through mind/body/spirit while offering improvements in flexibility, balance, posture, and tone while calming the brain and improving all other systems in your body (digestive, circulation, the list goes on) through various asanas (poses). weightloss is often associated with yoga because of this. i.e. additional weight = imbalance. but u have to look at it as an added bonus, not the reason behind your practice. i am obviously a yoga-head (as uve prob assumed from my post and avatar), but if you really wanna loose weight, i believe the best way to do so is 3-fold: aerobics, weight training, and yoga and/or pilates. each offers you different benefits, and it keeps you from getting bored with the same old routine (just my $0.02 )

Jul 15th, 2008, 02:29 PM	#7
canadianstudies 1 <3 Lyndee! Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,274	I like Pilates, although I will agree it is tiring... at the same time, you will lose inches on your waist, and who can argue with that?