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Yoga v/s Pilates- Know Which One is Better for You |
There is no easy and straightforward way to decide if Yoga is good for a person or Pilates. Both of them are considered to be highly therapeutic. They help strengthen the core functional muscle groups and also in stretching the connective tissues in the body. Hence, choosing between them will not be easy and would depend upon the person concerned, of his/her physical build, personality and preferences.
Yoga is a practice of various asanas which develop, strengthen, and stretch muscle groups. It is simply not of the body alone as its various asanas intend to achieve a unity of the spirit with the body. Through stretching, balancing and coordination between it and the different muscles and parts of the body, it intends to make the mind fully aware of its capabilities and strength. Yoga is always done as a set of exercises, either in a class or solo. The choice of asanas and their sequence depend upon the exerciser.
Pilates, on the other hand, is a very light way of exercising which focuses on the abdominal and back muscles. A regular exercise of these core muscles help to stretch, tone and strengthen the central muscular system of the human body and thus prevent the occurrence of any injury. These exercises can be done using machines too. However, it is best that the use of machines is always under the supervision of a trained instructor.
If you want to decide which method to opt for, then following are a few questions that you need to ask yourself.
1. Know what is it that you want to achieve. Is merely a flat abdomen your desired goal or do you want general well-being of both your body and mind. While Pilates can get you a flat abdomen and stronger back muscles, a union of spirit and body would be attained only through Yoga.
2. Know how much time you can spare each day for a workout session. While a session doing Pilates can ask you to spend anywhere between 20 to 60 minutes, a Yoga session may be generally an hour long. Further, Pilates with the help of a trainer can be an extensive programme. Hence, know how much time you have on your hands and then choose between them.
3. Know how much time you are willing to spend on learning the new exercise regime. Pilates can be learned quite easily whereas you might have to spend a lifetime learning the proper technique of doing the Yogasanas.
4. While Pilates indirectly improves your confidence and self-belief, Yoga is more about meditation that has a strong influence of its original religion where it emerged. Hence, you might not accept some aspects of meditative Yoga training. To avoid it, choose a more de-spiritualized approach to yoga.
5. Know the resources available at hand. Checkout how comfortable you feel while working out through the use of a video. Also, if there is a need for visiting a studio or taking the help of an instructor, then how conveniently located are they? |
