Anybody who knows their fitness facts will be able to tell you that Yoga and Pilates aren’t all that different from each other. Here’s a look at how the two are related:

Yoga is an ancient practice which involves the use of breathing techniques and bodily movements to attain physical and mental wellbeing. However, contrary to what is generally perceived, yoga is not just a mere mental exercise or physical workout alone. Yoga is a systematic series of different physical postures or “asanas” that help us strike the perfect balance within our body while various “mantras” help us in focusing our thoughts towards finding inner peace.

Pilates, as we all know, is a well-known exercise technique of modern times. Originally invented by health and fitness guru Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, today Pilates is an integral part of any good workout regimen. Both Yoga and Pilates are an extremely popular form of exercise for hundreds of people, from Hollywood celebrities to your next-door neighbor.

Just like several exercise methods, Yoga asanas aim to strengthen and stretch the body. Similarly, the Pilates program too is designed to stretch and strengthen the core or powerhouse of our body. Pilates is also practiced to add definition to the body, enhance strength, and develop a good posture which is again not unlike the effects of practicing Yoga.

In fact, Yoga and Pilates are so similar in some aspects that people who practice both tend to substitute certain techniques of one, with the other. Here are few tips to help you practice Pilate and Yoga at home:

1. Before you begin practicing, make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing which allows you freedom of movement. Also, the room you intend to practice in should be ideally well ventilated. You should also ensure you have enough space around for you to move your arms or legs in all directions without any objects obstructing your movement. This way, you won’t hurt yourself or break something while shifting from pose to pose.
2. Both Pilates exercises and yoga postures especially those that involve compression of the mid-section should never be attempted on a full stomach. It’s always a good idea to listen to your body instead of going ahead with the exercises anyway, since practicing too soon after eating or drinking will make you feel uncomfortable.
3. When practicing either yoga or Pilates its best to use non-slip surfaces like a mat or rug. This especially important when practicing on your back as is the case with certain Pilate exercises since the padded surface will provide protection for your spine.
4. One of the most important things to remember when attempting a Yoga asana or Pilates pose is to not overdo it. In other words, do not try to execute positions or body movements you aren’t physically comfortable with, because if you push yourself beyond your personal limitations, you might end up injuring yourself.

Keep these tips in mind when practicing yoga and Pilates and you should be well on your way to healthier and happier lifestyle.

The Pilates workout system is one the most effective and fast-working exercise programs out there. Today, many places like schools, community centers, gyms etc. hold Pilates courses and the reason for this widespread acceptance of Pilates is that it focuses on strengthening and toning different muscle groups at the same time and because users who have practiced Pilates have experienced amazing results in a short period of time.

Apart from being the surname of its inventor, Pilates is also short for Proximal Integrating Latent Agile Toning Exercise. The Pilates workout is a systematic set of exercises which are designed to develop the powerhouse of your body, through breathing, strengthening, stretching and balancing. Although it is a strenuous activity for short periods of time, it isn’t a cardiovascular workout and doesn’t put too much pressure on the cardiovascular system. This means that Pilates is an ideal form of exercise for people of all fitness levels.

The history of Pilates goes back to the Second World War when the inventor, Joseph Pilates, who was an intern at an English hospital, created a machine out of springs and defunct hospital beds to help wounded soldiers recuperate and regain and maintain their fitness levels. Born in 1880 in Germany, Joseph Pilates moved to New York in 1926, bringing with him his then-new exercise techniques and termed it as Pilates. And the rest, as they say, is history.

As mentioned earlier, a Pilates workout brings together the combined effect of breathing techniques and special stretches on Pilates equipment. To this effect, Pilates maybe compared to Yoga, but at the same time, it is far more dynamic than Yoga in nature. When using a Pilates machine, the exerciser is put through systematic motions while keeping the torso stationary and stretching the limbs in different directions. Doing so makes the core of the body more flexible and stronger.

The Pilates workout is an extremely beneficial form of exercise and thousands of people have experienced amazing results just by spending a few minutes doing Pilates each day. Many individuals report that doing Pilates makes their bodies better toned, stronger and more balanced unlike other exercises. Other benefits associated with Pilates include weight loss, heightened energy levels and a great overall feeling. Pilates is also a good way for injured athletes to train while recovering. It’s also an ideal workout plan for older people or pregnant women as it isn’t as strenuous as other exercises such as a cardiovascular workout. However, one must not forget, that despite all its benefits, a Pilates workout is a great supplement to any exercise plan, including aerobics and cardio, but it cannot be treated as a single workout plan on its own.