Pilates vs. Yoga: Benefits & Differences

Pilates and yoga have become two of the most popular forms of exercise in North America. So much so, that many studios have started offering both, at times even combining the two into a class called yogalates!

At first glance, the two practices may appear as one and the same. While they do carry many similarities, there are several key differences.

Keep reading to learn which movement method best suits your needs. Spoiler alert - it just might be both!

Pilates and yoga are both low-impact forms of exercise that offer a wide range of physical benefits including increased strength and flexibility. These two schools of movement can be adapted to suit any fitness level. As your familiarity with pilates and/or yoga grows, so too do your options for more advanced postures and exercises. There is essentially no finish line - so the learning and growing can continue indefinitely.

There are many popular forms of yoga including Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Bikram, Yin & Restorative, whereas pilates is traditionally offered in two forms - mat pilates and reformer/apparatus pilates. Recently, a higher intensity style workout, inferno hot pilates, has gained popularity throughout North America

Both pilates and yoga classes may be styled in a classical manner or in a more contemporary fashion that allows the teacher and practitioner to incorporate more creativity, sometimes going so far as to merge the two into one - aka yogalates.

• Both yoga and pilates offer a wide range of physical benefits including increased flexibility, strength, stability, and balance.
• Both yoga and pilates emphasize the importance of alignment.
• Both forms of movement can also be used therapeutically in injury recovery and prevention.  

• Decreases stress - With an emphasis on mindfulness and presence, the practice of yoga can serve as a powerful tool for managing stress. By linking breath and movement, yoga can help to slow down stressful thoughts and continuously bring the practitioner back to the present moment with a sense of calmness and ease.
• Improves balance - Through practicing balancing postures, yoga can help build a better sense of balance that can be translated into day-to-day life. As we age, better balance can be extremely beneficial to prevent falls and injuries.
• Increases strength and flexibility - Like pilates, yoga focuses on low-impact movements. Through the use of body weight and sustained isometric holds, many yoga asanas can build significant strength while creating a sense of openness in the body.