You’ve heard about the benefits and the relaxed attitudes of the people who enjoy it. But what is the difference between Pilates and Yoga?
If you want to improve your physical health, boost your mental well-being, or start a spiritual journey, both options look attractive.
But how do you choose which one’s for you?
This guide will break down Pilates vs yoga and what sets them apart.
It touches on the technical side as well as personal stories from people in our community who practice either one.
Let’s go!
What is Pilates?
Pilates is a workout system created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s.
It focuses on strengthening your core, improving your posture, and helping you gain better control of your muscles.
While both Pilates and yoga are low-impact, they have different styles, and this is one of the main differences between Pilates and Yoga.
In yoga, you typically hang out in a pose for a while or transition to another one. (We’ve got a Yoga 101 guide that dives a bit deeper into this practice.)
On the other hand, Pilates really zeroes in on strengthening your “powerhouse” muscles, like your abs, lower back, hips, and glutes.
You can do Pilates on a yoga mat, so you don’t need fancy equipment, though some studios might use special machines.
Types of Pilates
Pilates has grown beyond its traditional forms into various styles:
- Classical Pilates combines mat and equipment exercises in a clear order to support full-body movement.
- Contemporary Pilates updates these classical exercises using body weight, external resistance, choreography, and more.
- Reformer Pilates uses a special machine with springs and a sliding carriage to add resistance and intensity.
- Mat-based Pilates is the easiest form to start. It is done on a simple mat without machines, making it perfect for beginners.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice that started in India more than 5,000 years ago.
While today’s yoga often focuses on physical poses (asanas), it’s really all about meditation, breath control (pranayama), and living by some ethical guidelines (yamas and niyamas).
The goal of yoga is to connect the body, mind, and soul.
When you’re holding a pose or just sitting quietly to meditate, it’s a chance to think: Who am I when all the distractions of life fade away?
At Samma Karuna Yoga School in Koh Phangan, yoga is more than just a hobby; it’s a way of life.
With morning meditations and classes by the ocean, students dive into lessons centered around love, community, and supportive learning.
Types of Yoga
There are several types of yoga, and they all vary in how intense they are and what they’re meant to do:
- Vinyasa yoga features dynamic flows that make your heart rate rise.
- Hatha yoga is slower and good for beginners.
- Bikram and Hot yoga take place in heated rooms.
- Yin yoga focuses on deep tissues with long-held seated poses.
- Somatic yoga focuses on strengthening the mind-body connection.
- Ashtanga yoga builds strength and improves circulation.
- Restorative yoga uses props for deep relaxation.
- Iyengar yoga highlights proper alignment.
- Kundalini yoga combines breathwork, movement, and meditation to boost self-awareness.
- Tantra Yoga taps into the five forces of Shakti.
For those wanting to explore Tantra and bring it into daily life, our Koh Phangan School offers Tantra retreats for beginners.
What are the Core Difference Between Pilates and Yoga?
The primary difference between Pilates and yoga lies in the movements. However, their roots and philosophies are also distinct.
1. Physical focus
When it comes to Pilates vs yoga, the physical focus is the most important aspect for some.
Pilates is about controlled movements that help strengthen your core muscles, like your abs, pelvic floor, and spine.
You typically do Pilates on a mat or with special equipment called reformers, which add some resistance to help you build strength and control.
Classes can be pretty intense and structured, making them great for anyone looking to boost their fitness, improve posture, and build endurance.
Yoga, on the other hand, mixes physical moves with spiritual and energy practices.
Unlike Pilates, yoga includes breathing techniques (pranayama), mindfulness, and meditation in each class.
At Samma Karuna, yoga is more than just a workout. It also brings in techniques like Osho meditations, conscious movement through BioDevelopment®.
This makes yoga feel like a life practice rather than just a form of exercise.
2. Breath and energy
Pilates and Yoga both pay attention to breathing, but they do it in different ways.
In Pilates, breathing is about helping you move. It aids in muscle control and gets your core engaged during workouts.
On the other hand, Yoga views breathing (called pran) as much more than just a physical thing.
It’s like the life energy that flows through us, connecting our body, mind, and spirit.
So, in this sense, breath becomes a bridge to our deeper consciousness.
3. Spiritual sense
This is the core difference between Pilates and yoga.
Pilates focuses on building up your strength and balance, especially in your core.
But yoga is more of a practice that brings together your body, mind, and spirit.
If you want to grow personally, heal emotionally, or seek spiritual insight, yoga, especially with Tantra, is the best choice.
So, Should You Choose Pilates or Yoga?
It’s tough to say which is better when it comes to Pilates vs yoga.
If you’re looking to build strength and flexibility or get in shape, Pilates could be the way to go.
But if your goal is to boost your overall wellness, yoga might be a better fit.
In the end, it really comes down to what you want to get out of it.
In Summary
When it comes to the difference between Pilates and Yoga, one helps you shape your body, while the other encourages you to listen to it.
You get to choose what works best for you, which is (most of the time) fantastic.
But if you’re looking for some clarity, connection, or healing, check out Samma Karuna’s retreats in Thailand, Greece, and Mexico.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to know more about us.
