Yoga can be an excellent exercise for rehabilitation, sometimes better than pilates depending on your particular needs. A very experienced, knowledgeable yoga instructor can help you build strength and flexibility, choose exercises that fit your abilities, and how to modify exercises if you need to. Yoga classes can vary a lot, depending on the focus, teacher, or yoga studio. There are classes designed for chair-bound seniors in nursing homes, meditative yoga, yoga for preschoolers, and classes that Olympic-caliber athletes attend. Pilates is not quite as diverse in its presentation.
On the other hand, yoga can also be done without a large focus on spirituality, if that’s not your thing. When it comes time to choose a class, if yoga interests you but spirituality does not, you can look for a more secular yoga class.
Yoga started over 5000 years ago in India. What is colloquially referred to as yoga is actually part of a larger philosophy and way of life. It was invented to promote a better understanding of oneself and the alignment of the mind, body, and spirit. Pilates was invented in the early 20th century as a method of body rehabilitation and strengthening. It started as a tool to rehabilitate World War I soldiers, but it took off when dancers started using it to increase their dancing performance.
With Pilates, the breath is used more as a technique of providing the muscles with the energy they need to exercise effectively. Concentrating on the breathing technique throughout Pilates will help you to manage the quantity of oxygen coming into the body and travelling to the muscles to help them become more relaxed. In yoga, the breathing exercises help you to achieve relaxation. Throughout yoga routines it is important to continuously concentrate on how the breath is being employed. Sending the breath to areas that may be tight or are holding stress can help to relax these specific muscle groups in your body.
Yoga and Pilates both contain several poses that are suitable for toning the abdominal muscles. However, Pilates exercises are a lot more intense and results may be achieved much quicker than they might be if practicing yoga. Through frequent Pilates exercises, a flatter and firmer stomach can be achieved.
One thing you can’t get out of home pilates exercise is the use of machines, so keep that in mind.
Once you arrive at a yoga or Pilates studio you’re interested in trying out, talk to the instructor about your goals and what you’re looking for in a class. This will help you decide what class is right for you.
