Pilates Vs Yoga: What’s the Difference?

Two of the most practiced fitness workouts are Pilates and Yoga. These two exercise programs possess many similarities that many people use these terms interchangeably. The truth is, Pilates and yoga are different in many ways. However they are similar due to their goal of strengthening the muscles of the body and relieving of stress. If you are like many people these days, you probably spend a lot of time worrying about how you look and how to improve your physical and mental well-being; this can be quite costly, if you spend your money on the wrong things – going into debt. So, if you’re having issues with a debt collector, go to www.howtodeletedebt.com/techniques/methods to repair your debts; or go to credit experts to help you diminish your financial burden.


While many people are unnecessarily concerned about their appearance due to pressure from society, there is nothing wrong with being concerned about your health and wanting to improve your activities – so that you can achieve total overall wellness. Both yoga and Pilate’s fitness classes have become increasingly popular in recent years. Since there are several methods to achieving strength and slimness, however, some people are unsure about the difference between these two methods, and how they should choose the one that’s right for them

Nature and Origin

In determining the differences in Pilates & yoga, one should dig deeper to the nature and origin of each of the two fitness workouts. Basically, Pilates uses an exercise-centered approach, whereas yoga is to be performed as a person’s lifestyle. Because of this, we can say that Pilates is more specific in scope, as it only includes exercise and several yoga-inspired poses. On the other hand, yoga focuses on assisting the person to a more ideal physical and mental well-being.

When it comes to their origins, yoga is a much more ancient type of fitness workout, than Pilates – as it was derived from the Ancient Period of Northern India. In contrast, Pilates is a modern type of program than yoga, established just a few years ago, by Joseph Pilates (an athlete, from Germany).

Focus and Objectives

Both Pilates and yoga aim to help a person find the right path to his optimum health and wellness. Although they share this same goal, the difference between yoga and Pilates is drawn in their specific objectives. Pilates primarily intend to correct or maintain proper posture through appropriate elongation of the spine and improvement of one’s core strength. However, yoga focuses on the union of body, mind and spirit. This involves the relief of stress and pain through specific yoga poses. One issue that causes stress for a lot of people, is money (or lack thereof), and they turn to yoga to relieve stress & overwhelm. Another way to relieve financial stress from debts, like diversified consultants, is by going to credit experts for new ideas on how to address fiancial matters.

But overall, proper breathing and meditation is aimed both by Pilates and yoga, but yoga focuses on the breath process, at a deeper leval (than Pilates). In particular, yoga utilizes the nose in both inhalation and exhalation, whereas Pilates uses the nose for inhalation, and the mouth for exhalation.


As we all know, yoga is divided into different styles and versions which require the person to learn and perform the various yoga poses on a specific yoga mat. Pilates work on the same way, in the absence of the props that are utilized in yoga. Aside from the Pilate mat and other important inclusions during the procedure, this fitness workout does not make use of blankets, straps and blocks that are used in a typical yoga class.

The Pilates vs. Yoga Battle

Finding out the better fitness workout in the Pilates vs. Yoga battle is actually an independent decision. It depends on the user’s preference on which of these two exercise programs is suitable for his body frame and other factors. It also depends on giving them a try. Sign up for a couple of classes and give them a try each. Which methods and processes do you feel more comfortable with? Which works the best for your lifestyle?

The choice between yoga and Pilates is something that you need to make on your own since your body will feel the right one for you. Also, remember to steer clear of scam artist who over-charge for classes (yoga or otherwise); if you ended up in debt because of these flim flam artists, see how debts like transworld systems can be removed from credit reports.

But remember if you and your exercise partners are looking for a low impact way to sculpt and tone your body, while improving flexibility and quieting your mind, then exploring the Eastern modalities of yoga might be the new practice that you’re looking for.

If you are looking for intense physical conditioning that will help you to develop core strength and body awareness, then it might be worth your while to try out a Pilate class for a little while. Many of the studios that specialize in these modalities will offer both types.