To Yoga or To Pilates
It's not easy to compare pilates and yoga. They are both huge subjects with many differences and similarities. Happily, Pilates and yoga are also very complimentary practices.
Below we explore five exercises that Pilates and yoga share, but first, let's look briefly at a couple of the most obvious comparisons between Pilates and yoga.
Differences in Pilates and Yoga Exercises
For our purpose, which is to explore some of the exercises that Pilates and yoga have in common, it might be worthwhile to start with a few generalizations about how Pilates and yoga approach movement.
One of the significant differences between Pilates and yoga, is that Pilates exercises are very much directed toward developing core strength and efficient movement habits that translate into daily life. Yoga poses also develop core strength. But yoga is more stretch and flexibility oriented, and perhaps, less interested in daily movement mechanics than in expanding consciousness through movement. Pilates also increases flexibility, and has a strong body/mind integrative component, the difference is the degree of focus.