What is the difference between them?
More than two million people in Australia practice Yoga, according to research giants Roy Morgan, and the number who practice Pilates is just over half that figure. Both systems are low intensity and low impact and are known to improve muscle strength and tone, and help reduce back pain.
What is Yoga?
But there are significant differences between the two. Yoga is an ancient, spiritual practice that, according to Victoria’s Better Health Channel, soothes your nerves and mind, improves cardiovascular fitness and circulation, improves digestion, and encourages mobility. The positions, or asanas, affect not only the muscles joints and skin, but also the glands, nerves, internal organs, bones, respiratory system and brain.
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a much newer form of exercise—about 100 years old—that has its roots in calisthenics, yoga and ballet. It lengthens and stretches all the major muscle groups in your body but they are never worked to exhaustion. The Better Health Channel describes the benefits of Pilates as: improved flexibility; increased muscle tone; balanced muscular strength on both sides of your body; enhanced muscular control of your back and limbs; improved stability, posture and balance; rehabilitation from injuries related to muscle imbalances; relaxation; and improved body awareness and concentration.
Is Pilates or Yoga best?
So how do you choose between the two? US website healthline.com recommends both, but adds that many forms of yoga require substantial flexibility and mobility, which some may find painful or challenging to follow. Pilates, they say, is a great exercise for those who are recovering from injury. That’s especially the case with Reformer Pilates, where the equipment provides additional support to your body and allows greater flexibility in the load you place on your muscles.
The main advantage that pilates has over yoga is that classes can be tailored to the individual needs of the anyone in the class. At Relinque Sports & Spinal Group, you will be guided through a 1:1 comprehensive physical assessment by one of our Osteopaths. This allows us to identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as postural problems, muscular imbalances and movement restrictions that you may have.
At Relinque Sports and Spinal Group, we’re with Pilates all the way. It’s one of the safest forms of exercise available and can be beneficial for just about anyone, regardless of age and fitness level. We offer three types; Clinical, Mat-based and Reformer Pilates. All have specific benefits and can be tailored to suit everyone.
If you’d like to know more about how Pilates can benefit you, give Relinque Sports and Spinal Group a call on 03 9499 9644!
