Pilates vs. Yoga - What's the difference?

Yoga and Pilates Fusion Workouts (why not too)

Combining different forms of exercise is a hot trend these days. However, its popularity is generally among the creators that make money off the ill-informed whom so often fall for the pitch line “best of both worlds.” As a certified Pilates instructor that has taken more than my fair share of Yoga classes I can say that programs such as Yolates, PiYoga, and Yogilates are not Yoga, and definitely not Pilates. And, do not offer the full benefits of either Yoga or Pilates. The biggest misconception is that Pilates is like Yoga. This is not accurate, and its important to understand the differences between Yoga and Pilates.

What are the Goals of Yoga?

The practice of Yoga has history that spans the globe. Yoga is a very spiritual practice. The original mission of Yoga was to cleanse and purify the body to receive the Divine Power of God. The practice is much more mainstream today, but still on some levels preserves this as the practice goal, but most use it to promote health, fitness, and mental stability. To achieve the full benefits of this practice, Yoga practitioners push their bodies and minds to the limit. In a Yoga class, you hold positions, assume complex postures, control breathing, all while trying to keep the mind at peace. Classes often include chanting and end with resting postures.

What are the Goals of Pilates?

Developed only 90 years ago by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates method is a purely physical experience that does not contain any spiritual or religious elements. The Pilates practice is a sound anatomical strengthening program that is based on modern wisdom about the human body. If someone says Pilates is “relaxing” then they are not doing Pilates correctly. Pilates is difficult, and challenging. And, at no point is relaxing accept the end where you leave invigorated, but at the same time with a sense of self improvement.

The typical Pilates workout includes mat exercises and apparatus routines with the primary goal of improving core strength. Pilates exercises move quickly from one exercise to the next with a limited number of repetitions and absolutely no static poses. This couldn't be further from Yoga. The protocol of Pilates is to exercise dynamically, pushing the muscles to perform in ways that translate functionally into real life.

Similarities between Yoga and Pilates

There are some similarities between Yoga and Pilates. Joseph Pilates drew upon his own practice of Yoga, among other things, to create his training system that has often been called “yoga in motion.” Both Yoga, although devoid of equipment, and Pilates focus on developing a high degree of muscle strength and control through focus and concentration. In fact, during the majority of Joseph Pilates’ lifetime, his method was never called “Pilates” but rather “Contrology,” that Pilates explained was “The Art of Control.”

The biggest difference between Pilates and Yoga is in the type of class you choose. A private Pilates session on Pilates equipment focuses on your specific needs and is tailored to address your strengths and weaknesses according to your instructor's assessment of your ability. A Yoga class, on the other hand, is a communal experience where you can be more independent in your practice while benefiting from the energy of a group environment.

Both Yoga and Pilates are systems of exercise intended for execution in a predetermined order. Purists (like myself) argue that following order is essential to maintaining the integrity of each method and that exercises taken out of context or reconfigured is not nearly as effective. There is a reason that Sun Salutations follow a certain format and that the Pilates Abdominal series follows a precise order. Each method is organized to cycle through distinct movement patterns as well as particular muscle recruitment, similar to circuit training.

Stick with one or the other. Or better yet both! If you practice Pilates it will help your Yoga and vice-versa. Have any questions about your Pilates workout? Ask!