3. Yoga Is an Ancient Practice
Yoga has far different roots than Pilates does. The mind-body connection techniques go back as far as 3,000 years – maybe even more. The beginnings of yoga can be traced back to Eastern religions and have served as a holistic approach to health and overall body awareness and consciousness.
4. Pilates Is More Contemporary
Unlike yoga, Pilates has a much shorter history and is not rooted in religious practices or spiritual means. Pilates was developed during World War I by the man we mentioned earlier, Joseph Pilates.
While yoga has its roots in enhancing mind, body, and spirit connection, Pilates was ultimately designed to rehabilitate injured German soldiers. Joseph Pilates worked hands-on with these soldiers to help them stretch, strengthen, and stabilize their muscles.
5. Body Awareness vs. Mind Awareness
Perhaps one of the most significant differences between Pilates and yoga is their two main focuses: body and mind.
On the one hand, Pilates focuses on body awareness. While the mental aspect of Pilates is still very integral to the process, the goal is to focus on core strength and stability by performing movements with precision and accuracy.
Yoga still requires these same goals but emphasizing the connection between the mind, spirit, and body. That’s why the meditative portion of yoga is deemed so crucial.
Pilates instructors are more likely to have their clients focus outward on the physical body, while yoga instructors tend to be more concerned with the inward, spiritual part of the body.
6. Equipment vs. No Equipment
You can practice both yoga and Pilates without equipment. However, it is far more likely for Pilates to implement the use of equipment over yoga.
At times, yoga may use various equipment such as blocks, bands, and exercise balls. But more commonly, yoga is performed using nothing more than a yoga mat. Most people don’t even wear shoes!
On the flip side, Pilates can use a series of highly complex machines and pieces of equipment. Some of these pieces include the reformer, tower, barrel, and chair – all of which are large wooden and metal systems with complicated setups and demanding workouts.
Pilates also often includes a mat, exercise balls, bands, and blocks.
Overall, it’s safe to say that Pilates is more equipment-heavy than yoga.