With so many exercises offered, sometimes it’s hard to decide what is best for your body and your goals. Yoga and Pilates are popular workouts, both can be done at home or in the gym, but are very different in practice. Learn the breakdown of each workout to decide which is best for you.
Yoga
Yoga is an Indian tradition that started over 5,000 years ago with the purpose of merging individual consciousness with the universe’s consciousness. While improving physical health, yoga targets your emotional and spiritual health, as well. Meditation is a large component of yoga. The moves are repetitive and slow, focusing on building your flexibility and strength in both your physical and mental state.
While physical health is important in the practice of yoga, aligning your spirit is the main goal. There are many different types of yoga, some more rigorous than others. If you’re looking for a relaxing exercise after a long day or looking to build your strength, there’s a yoga practice for you.
Pilates
Pilates is a more modern exercise, created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s as a form of physical therapy. In Pilates, the goal is to gain flexibility and body awareness. Unlike other exercises, Pilates is meant to build strength without building bulk. It’s a resistance exercise, so you won’t usually get your heart rate up as you do with cardio.
Pilates can help you develop better posture, stomach strength, and spine strength. Similar to yoga, Pilates emphasizes concentration, control, centering, and breathing. Many people looking to tone their body choose Pilates.
How to Choose
Ultimately, choosing between Pilates and yoga depends on what your goal is. If you’re looking for an outlet to center your body spiritually, yoga is a great meditative practice to build up. Pilates is a way to center your body’s awareness from the inside out. Both can leave you the feeling of a healthier, stronger body.
Boston North Fitness Center offers yoga and Pilates classes that fit every routine. Our top-notch staff works hard to help you effectively reach your goals. If you’re looking to jumpstart your healthy lifestyle, contact us today.
