What is the main difference between Yoga and Pilates?
As a practitioner of both, they equally offer components that relieve stress, encourage strength, flexibility, control and endurance.
However, the biggest difference between the two disciplines is around rehabilitation and body reconditioning. Whilst Yoga originated as a spiritual practice to move energy around the body, advocating strength of the spine and limbs through the connection of breathe—Pilates, however, uses breath to coordinate body movement, building strength first the abdominals (core) to protect the spine during movement, and then to build strength, flexibility and stability across the whole body.
If I have little or no strength, can I do Pilates?
Absolutely, in fact, Pilates as a form of exercise is gentle and effective for beginners who want to build strength in their core muscles. This, in turn, will help them improve their overall balance, strength, flexibility, and ultimately their posture.
By using our own body weight against gravity as a form of resistance, as well as the using small props such as balls, rings and resistance bands, we can engage more muscle fibres and improve form with precise movements, making every exercise more challenging and increasing the effectiveness of the workout.
Isn’t Pilates more for dancers and gymnasts?
Whilst it’s true that the early adopters of Pilates were predominantly dancers and athletes known for their flexibility and physical endurance — over the years Pilates has aligned itself more towards physiotherapy and injury prevention, addressing knee injuries, back problems, hip replacements to name a few. Whilst the flexible and strong can engage in the more advanced repertoire. Pilates programs can also be modified for individual health or lifestyle needs, such as scoliosis, arthritis and osteoporosis as well as specialised sports programs for runners and golfers, as well as pre and post-natal women.
Can I lose weight from Pilates?
Pilates will deliver key benefits, but it does not burn calories like running or cycling and cannot be counted on for significant weight loss. Pilates aims to move and work the body as a whole, and so can be incorporated into any weight loss program, alongside a healthy and calorie-effective diet for your body. Pilates is a great way to start, but diet and cardiovascular activity are essential too.