Yoga or Pilates?

i do both. yoga is more for my relaxation. pilates is for toning. plus, between them, i am more flexible and my back is in much better health without having to do physical therapy!

I've done both and they're quite different and it's actually quite useful to do both regularly. The yoga is definitely better for relaxation (it's been proven to normalize cortisol levels), but the form I do is very active, so it's not a bad workout. The pilates is excellent for toning the core/gut and keeping the back healthy. I had lots of back pain in the past which is gone if I keep up my rotation of yoga and pilates. If you eat right at the same time you do these exercises, you may lose some weight, but they are not really aerobic workouts, which is what you need to really lose weight. You also don't even need to leave you house to do either. Check out the videos/CDs at your library. They may have some. I like Denise Austin's workouts.

I would try both and would try different types of both. I've done both for about 4 years now and the types of yoga we offer at my work are much more of a 'sweat' work out than pilates. That being said, the relaxation part of yoga practically puts me to sleep, but that's after the instructor has kicked my butt with all the yoga moves. :)

I only do pilates now, mainly because I'm most concerned with keeping my core and back toned. It helped me completely get rid of my mommy pooch and has allowed me to perform better at my other sports - hockey and soccer.

I didn't lose weight with either one. Just eating better and not eating after 8pm caused me to do that...

love pilates! Hate yoga!
my opinion!

I've done both and I prefer yoga. Particularly kundalini yoga, although I've tried hatha and at least one other discipline. I liked pilates, but it is more about the movement (getting into the position) than actually holding the position, as yoga is. For me, it was more about stopping and forcing myself to relax, and for that, yoga was definitely the way to go.

Yoga definitely has different 'flavors' depending on the discipline and you may want to try a couple of different varieties to see what fits you best.

I totally prefer yoga. Try a hatha yoga class first- that is for beginners. I like pilates a lot too, but it's not nessarily relaxing. I've been a personal trainer for about 5 years and always incorporate yoga into my workouts- I really believe it benefits the whole body. Just go with an open mind and hopefully you will have a great teacher too! Good luck!

I've done both...I prefer yoga for relaxation. I think pilates is more of a "workout". Not that yoga is easy or not a workout, but it's more relaxing. Try both and see what you prefer!

Good luck!!

I have done both but I prefer pilates . . . I need all the help I can get with toning up the belly! Plus, it is more active (at least the class I go to) than yoga.

I normally get 20 mins of cardio in before the pilates class but with doing both I have lost weight and my stomach is getting flatter. Plus, I used to go to the chiro a few times a month and I have not been in almost a year now! I can tell it is made my core much stronger than before, there was stuff I could not do when I started that now I can.

I have one other reccomendation for you too. If you can find someone that teaches Lotte Berk Method it is a great workout! It is kind of like pilates in some of the moves but it is based on ballet. I was sweating just sitting there doing ab work, not even really moving much, and I was sore for several days after that!