Many people are still confused about Pilates and Yoga. In fact, there are similarities as well as differences between the two disciplines. Both exercises emphasize the importance of breathing and building flexibility and strength. However, they are practiced in different ways.
One of the significant differences between Pilates and Yoga is that Pilates exercises focus on developing core strength and efficient movement habits involving flow and movement based exercises. Yoga consists of a series of static poses that also helps to develop core strength, but it focuses more on stretching and flexibility, and not in the daily movement mechanics aspect.
In short, Yoga exercises are static, it gets you into a pose by which you will hold it for several breath cycles before you get out of the pose. Pilates exercises are a series of movements with flow. Each exercise is performed five to ten times before one moves gracefully to the next exercise.
Both Yoga and Pilates exercises believe in coordinating the breath with the movement. The style of breathing for Pilates is called "3 Dimensional Breathing", which helps in stabilizing and protecting your spine when you are engaged in the various positions. You have to inhale through your nose and exhale from your mouth with pursed lips. You are encouraged to breathe into the lateral and posterior parts of your ribcage where it is often under-utilized. Exhaling through pursed lips activate your core muscles and reinforces your abdominal muscles. As for Yoga, it has many forms of breathing, catered for different uses. Mainly, you inhale and exhale through your nose. For instance, the "breath of fire" will energize you and "alternate nostril breathing" will calm you down. There are other breathing methods for deep meditation.
Do you know that both Yoga and Pilates exercises make use of the weight of your body as resistance to challenge the muscles, which eventually make them stronger? Yoga consists more of standing exercises that develop leg strength and flexibility. Pilates is done lying on your back, on your stomach, on your side and sitting down most of the time, focusing on creating muscle balance. In addition, Yoga has more exercises that work on your upper body such as chest, upper back and arms than Pilates. However, this is not the case for machine-based Pilates, whereby the springs attached to the Pilates equipment also help to strengthen your upper body muscles by providing resistance.
Are you clearer on the differences and similarities between Pilates and Yoga now? This will be helpful for you if you are looking for a fitness program. You can make a better choice between Yoga and Pilates since you know which form of exercise can meet your health targets. In fact, Pilates and Yoga are complementary to each other and are excellent cross-training methods in addition to your aerobic and resistance programs.
Author Resource:
Singapore Pilates Fitness Provides Effective, Customised Small Classes That Make You Look Great And Feel Healthy Fast. We Are The First Pilates Studio In Singapore Providing Pilates For Weight Loss, Golfers, Athletes and Youth. Visit Us At http://www.SingaporePilatesFitness.com
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