Pilates vs Yoga

Updated on April 27, 2011
J.U. asks from Williamsburg, VA
5 answers

Have any of you ever tried Pilates or Yoga? Which do you like better?

Any one know the advantages of one over the other.

I am thinking getting a book about Kripalu Yoga since I am a bit out of shape and dealing with a slipped disc. But then I remembered I used to do pilates. I wonder should I go back to pilates or try something new.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for the suggestions.

I certainly need more relief from stress so I will go ahead with the yoga. I have done pilates before and really enjoyed it. It has gotten my back stronger so that I am not in nearly as much pain as before.

The disc thing turns out, happened when I was a teenager, apparently a certain % of the population will have a break and a disc will slip due to growth spurts and stuff but will fuse and heal by age 18. The doctor say majority never know that they have a slipped disc unless for some reason they get an x-ray. I have discovered having two kids within two years will kinda aggravate it and that is how I discovered it. Also sleeping on your stomach is just not a good idea. You know when the kids are around 2 and they seem to fall from the ceiling while you are sleeping. That was what made me start to sleep on my stomach and then that is when my problems started.

The Kripalu style is for beginners who are a bit out of shape and/or has an injury so I am thinking that would be the best place to start.

Thank much!

More Answers

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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I feel that Pilates is more to tone and to get into shape and yoga is more for stretching and stress relief. They are both good to do. I do 10-15 minutes of yoga in the morning to stretch out and then pilates seperately. If you can take some classes you should-both are very specific in their form and with your bad back you should have an instructor make sure you are doing it right so you don't hurt yourself. Yoga might actually be the better place to start until your back gets better.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

I take a class that combines both. We do Pilates for abs work. My abs still hurt today from my class yesterday even though I work my abs regularly. I prefer the Yoga personally, but the Pilates sure does work. You might be able to find a class or DVD that combines them and you get the best of both. My class is called "Body Flow" and is offered at the YMCA.

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V.M.

answers from Erie on

I am no expert but i always thought that yoga was more stretching and elongating with some strengthening and pilates was more using your own body as almost resistant type weights. I find the yoga relaxing and pilates really really hard.

M.M.

answers from Detroit on

I like Pilates. I downloaded a vidoe from Exercise TV (I think it was $1.99) called Less is More Pilates by Lizabeth Garcia. It's 20 mins and I really like it. It gives you a core workout and you do not have to be all that "talented" to do it ;)

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Both are great ways to exercise. There are many forms of Yoga, so some may be relaxing and others are really hard work! I would do some quick research on the types, and decide if one sounds better for you.

Pilates is great "core" exercise and will help you be stronger all over, also. There are variations on pilates, also. The type I did in a class was very challenging, and effective! It got me back wearing bikinis after baby. I now do the P90X Ab Ripper DVD and it works...

I personally like Pilates because it gets to the point. Yoga is challenging, but slow moving and I'm impatient. I am also training in Karate, so I'm getting an all-body workout there. There's a guy in my karate class that is over 40 does Yoga and is he ripped... gotta tell ya, we all enjoy when he takes off his shirt!!

If you go to a class, I would tell them about your slipped disc, so they can help you with any modifications needed to stay safe.

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