Melody Boza • March 18, 2016

Pilates vs Yoga

Pilates vs Yoga

A wooden pilates reformer with blue yoga mats on top of it.

Here is a very basic answer to the nagging question, "What is the difference between yoga and Pilates?"

The Fundamentals:

Pilates is a mainly physical practice in which most ALL of its core principles are centered around physical fitness. Yoga is a mainly spiritual practice with only ONE of its core principles (asana) centered around fitness.

The Fitness:

Equipment: A full and challenging Pilates workout can take place solely on a mat OR on a variety of spring loaded equipment. Yoga is done on a mat with no equipment. Props like blocks and straps are often used in both practices.

Exercises: Since yoga is a much older practice than Pilates (over 5,000 years) there are so many lineages and varieties of exercises when it comes to the physical postures. Pilates, though not without its own variety, is more likely to have a familiar structure to each workout. While both practices offer exercises for the full body, in yoga there are often more opportunities for stretching with longer holds in specific postures and balances; whereas in Pilates there are more opportunities for core strengthening, resistance training, and specific muscle targeting.

Meditation: There are many opportunities for stillness and silence in a yoga class, including a dedicated final rest (savasana). While it is common to leave a Pilates class feeling relaxed and centered, there is no formal mediation portion of class.

Which one is better for you?

The decision is personal. Try both and see for yourself! For more information about each practice, please either visit our Yoga page or visit our Pilates page. We offer private or semi-private sessions by appointment, as well as group classes. For complete pricing information, click here.

-- Thanks to our Guest Blogger, Melody Boza, a Pilates and yoga instructor here at Body Aligned.

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