seattle yoga

5 Differences between Yoga and Pilates

Have you ever been interested in pursuing yoga or Pilates, or maybe both? Or perhaps you already use one or the other (or both) as a form of exercise, but would still like to learn why they are beneficial forms of physical activity, and what their specific benefits are. Read more to find out!

The Beginning

The practice of yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. It has become an important part of their culture, and many different types of yoga have stemmed from the original practices.

Pilates is a much more recent form of exercise, started by Joseph Pilates, a German athlete, in the mid 1900’s. It was created as a form of rehabilitation and used to strengthen patients, both injured and healthy. Quickly it became very popular within the dance community as it aided and strengthened their training and performance.

Mind, Body and Spirit

While Yoga really seeks to integrate the mind, body, and spirit, Pilates focuses more on mind and body. Joseph Pilates practiced yoga himself, and this practice strongly influenced the creation of his form of strengthening. However, if you’re looking to include a spiritual experience to your practice, Pilates typically will not satisfy that. Exploring and studying spirituality within oneself through mediation is a very important part of yoga.

Breathing Techniques

Though efficient breathing is essential in both practices, yoga places a special emphasis on the breath, trying to match deep breathing to each movement and posture while inhaling and exhaling through the nose.

Pilates focuses on breathing as a way to bring energy to your working muscles, inhaling through the nose and exhaling out of the mouth.

Strength and Flexibility

While both yoga and Pilates will aid in strength gains and increased flexibility, yoga emphasizes balance, and will work out every muscle equally. Each posture is countered by another posture, ensuring muscle and body balance. Yoga aids in healing, flexibility, and joint strength, while striving to achieve mental, spiritual, and physical well-being.

Pilates places great emphasis on core and spine strength. Some classes use machines to facilitate strength gains, while other classes simply use the body’s weight and resistance to increase strength.  

Class Structure

Yoga classes are set up by the style chosen, such as Bikram, Kripalu, Ashtanga, or Vinyasa, and each style includes different poses. Mediation exercises or some type of focus is often given at the beginning and end of a yoga class.

Pilates classes are more structured, and focus on strengthening the core of the body and the spine. The series of exercises or routines are fairly consistent, and you can often know what to expect at the beginning of a Pilates class.

What’s Best For Me?

Whether you chose yoga, with its emphasis on deep breath, balance, and spirituality. Or Pilates, with a more structured routine and a focus on strengthening, (or both!) you now have the information necessary to decide, or simply to appreciate why you have chosen one of those practices already!

Check out Anya’s post on what to expect for your first HOT YOGA class to be posted soon. She will also be writing soon about yoga mat reviews. Subscribe and Follow us so you don’t miss out!

If you’re in the Seattle or East-Side Area check out some of our favorite studios we practice at!!

Seattle Yoga Lounge in Greenlake

Haute Yoga in Queen Anne

Root 2 Rise in Woodinville

Exhale in Kenmore

The Dailey Method in Bothell and Mercer Island

Still hungry for more? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Better yet, come into one of our clinics to learn even more!