Pilates vs. Yoga: Which is Best for Your Fitness Goals? (2 of 2)
Yoga
Yoga has origins that are not necessarily known or agreed upon. But what is known is that it dates back at least 3,000 years and has roots in Buddhism, Shamanism, and similar Eastern religions.
The five principles of yoga include relaxation, exercise, diet, breathing, positive thinking, and meditation. Mindfulness and deep breathing are key aspects of practicing yoga and are what lay the foundation for its mind-body fitness approach. It is a combination of exercising your body and maintaining mindful focus. Bringing awareness to your breath and the different sensations of your body are what sets yoga apart from other types of exercise.
Yoga is thought to be helpful for a number of physical and mental aspects of life, including: depression, arthritis, anxiety, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, type 2 diabetes, and respiratory conditions.
Which is better for you: Yoga or Pilates?
Both yoga and pilates are great forms of workouts. And while they can both be beneficial to you, one can be more helpful than the other. The most important thing to do is to always consult your doctor and a yoga and pilates instructor to determine what plan is best for you.
Yoga requires a lot of flexibility and mobility, especially in the areas of the hips, wrists, and along the spine. Many poses would be difficult for someone who has mobility issues or severe physical limitations – although some poses can be modified.
Finding a style of yoga for you is the key to enjoying this form of exercise if you have any sort of physical limitations. You can research styles like acro yoga, chair yoga, and restorative yoga, to name a few.
Pilates is great for individuals who are recovering from an injury or who are older in age because it is super low in impact and force. There are also a variety of different styles of pilates, so there is likely to be a suitable option for just about everyone.
One of the limitations for Pilates lies in its affordability, as it can be a bit expensive to invest in the equipment that is required for several types of Pilates. This could be one of the main reasons that deters some people from utilizing pilates as a form of exercise.