Yoga and Pilates – Which is Better for Me?

Both yoga and Pilates offer a wide variety of health and fitness benefits but deciding which one is right for you depends on your goals. While yoga is rooted in spirituality and focuses on breathwork and wellness, Pilates was founded as a form of injury rehab and is still noted for its ability to strengthen your core and reduce the risk of injuries.
However, the modern evolution of both practices and the rise of different types of yoga and Pilates mean there are plenty of crossovers between the two. To discover which class is best for you, read on to learn more.

The Difference Between Yoga And Pilates

Yoga and Pilates are both forms of low-impact exercise that encourage you to use your bodyweight as resistance. Despite similarities between the two, there are distinct differences that separate the practices.

When practicing yoga, for example, you’ll move between poses – or asanas – and hold each one for a few seconds or moments. In contrast, Pilates takes you through a series of positions and move your body to activate and strengthen core muscles.

A Brief History of Modern Yoga

The practice of yoga is rooted in South Asian culture and dates back centuries but modern yoga, as we know it today, can be traced back to the early 20th century. Inspired by traditional, Hatha yoga and inspired by gymnastics, the modern practice was developed by Kuvalayananda, Yogendra and ‘the father of modern yoga’, Krishnamacharya, and quickly into a form of exercise practised all over the world.

Over time, modern yoga was classified into four distinct types of practice:

1. Psychosomatic yoga – focusing on the connection between the mind, body and spirit
2. Denominational yoga – centring around one’s spirituality or belief systems
3. Postural yoga – emphasising postures or ‘asanas’
4. Meditational yoga – featuring concentration or meditation

Today, we can see strands of all these types of modern yoga within the contemporary practices. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the practice has evolved further to incorporate an even wider range of benefits, styles and applications, such as Bikram yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Restorative yoga, Vinyasa yoga and many more.

A Brief History of Modern Pilates

First formulated by Joseph Pilates as ‘Contrology’ in the early 20th century, modern Pilates is centred around five ‘essentials’: cervical alignment, breath, pelvic mobility, rib and scapular stabilisation and the use of the transversus abdominal muscles. Featuring around 50 exercises that use repetitive movements to enhance the ‘essentials’, Pilates incorporated the use of equipment or apparatus to accelerate the mind-body benefits of practice. 

Indeed, some of the equipment that is used in different Pilates classes, such as the Reformer or the Wunda Chair – were early apparatus that were designed to enhance strength and achieve full mind-body benefits.

We favour mat Pilates here, as it’s easier for you to take what you learn with you wherever you are, without reliance on heavy equipment.

Why We Teach Both Yoga and Pilates

Although there are clear differences between yoga and Pilates, they share many similarities too. Both forms of exercise offer fantastic health and wellness benefits, which is why we teach both yoga and mat Pilates here at Goji London studio!

Whether you’re eager to strengthen your core, improve flexibility or reduce stress, our yoga and Pilates classes use the core principles from these tried-and-tested low-impact exercises to help you achieve your goals.

Book your class here!

With so many benefits on offer, choosing between yoga and Pilates can be tricky, so why limit yourself? Our Taster pack gives you access to three classes in two-weeks and is the perfect way to get a feel for the Goji vibe and discover which practices are best for you. 

To find out more, explore our membership packs and head over to our class schedule to select which class you’d like to attend first.