Yoga vs Pilates
Both pilates and yoga are forms of exercise and fitness systems, but Pilates was developed in Germany by Joseph Pilates in the early twentieth century, while yoga originated in India and has been practiced for thousands of years as a mental system and physical. It is said that yoga was developed by the Indian sage Patanjali and has many other forms today.
While Joseph Pilates also called his method ‘Contrology’ which states that his method uses the mind to control the body, yoga has traditionally been seen as a science that uses the body, particularly breathing, to control the mind. However, awareness of breathing, alignment of the spine and strengthening of the muscles is a central part of both systems. But, pilates includes aerobics and several yoga postures as well.
While Pilates developed more as a system to help soldiers wounded in war, yoga developed as an ancient Hindu science for physical and mental development. Later, Joseph Pilates developed his system even more.
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali defines eight aspects of yoga in the following way: yama (abstaining from violence, lying, coveting, sensuality and possessiveness), niyama (purity, contentment, austerity, studying and surrendering to God), asana (sitting position for meditate), pranayama (control of breathing and other exercises), pratyahara (withdrawal of external attachments), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (liberation).
Joseph Pilates defines aspects of his system in the following way: breathing (to circulate blood properly), centered (to order the central muscles related to the abdomen, lower back, hips and buttocks), concentration (intense focus) during exercises and even standing), control (as in muscle control), precision (accuracy of movement and technique), flow or efficiency of movement and use of equipment.
While Pilates is a basic set of 34 exercises, yoga has hundreds of asanas (postures) not only to improve various bodily functions but even to cure problems. Today, yoga and pilates are practiced all over the world, but none should be done without the guidance of a qualified teacher. Many schools of physical exercise from around the world now integrate pilates and yoga into their courses.
