American Fitness Professionals & Associates

by Leigh Crews, RYTYoga and Pilates are the dynamic duo of the fitness world right now. For people seeking a rewarding new workout, these disciplines have a lot to offer. Participants seem to agree. According to a recent industry survey, 60 percent of responding program directors now offer yoga and 63 percent offer Pilates. The survey also shows that both programs are expected to continue growing in popularity. This article offers an overview of the two disciplines and some tips on finding the right program and instructor for you.

Yoga

Yoga is a centuries-old practice that includes a spiritual component supporting its holistic approach to fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle. Studies have shown that yoga is a powerful tool for reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, improving concentration and balance, and increasing muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.

The movements of yoga have crossed over into traditional group fitness classes, but complete yoga practice can also include breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation as well as exercise. Yoga has many styles, ranging from mild and therapeutic forms to the very vigorous forms which are so well known, such as hot yoga and power yoga. People at any level of fitness can find and explore an appropriate style of yoga.

Pilates

Pilates was created in the early 20th century as a physical conditioning system concentrating on development of the core of the body, or in Pilates’ terms, the Powerhouse. While a healthy lifestyle is encouraged, it is not an integral part of the program. The focus is on the physical in this very ordered and methodical approach to training. For years, dancers have depended on Pilates to give them the lean, sculpted bodies they require for their art. Regular Pilates practice increases muscular strength and endurance, improves posture, and increases flexibility. Since the primary focus is on the core, strong abs and back muscles are a major benefit of Pilates work.

“Mind-Body” Programs

Both yoga and Pilates are considered ‘mindbody’ programs, meaning that participants should be mentally focused and introspective as they perform the exercises. Both are slower than traditional calisthenics, and both coordinate breath with movement. Also common to both is the use of props. Yoga incorporates the use of blocks, blankets, and straps, while Pilates uses small props such as the Magic Circle or larger apparatus such as the Pilates Reformer. Yoga and Pilates can both be done one-on-one or in a group setting.

Yoga and Pilates have much in common, but it may be the differences that are of more importance in choosing the program that is right for you. One of the most significant differences lies in structure. Whereas yoga is more contemplative and can be loosely structured, Pilates is more regimented. Pilates is done by sets and reps in a very ordered and precise way. Yoga, while it does have an innate order, is more organic and free-form.

Selecting a Program

Individuals seem to choose between yoga or Pilates based on which method they feel complements their personality, with “Type A’s” generally gravitating toward Pilates or the more powerful and physical types of yoga. More mellow personality types tend to choose the gentle yoga disciplines. Less intuitive, but perhaps more beneficial, might be the path that seems opposite to the dominant aspects of personality as a way of bringing balance to life, as with the athlete who comes to appreciate the softness and flow of yoga as a counterbalance to the hardness and regimentation of competition.