If you think Yoga and Pilates are very similar, or one is better than the other, I invite you to read on....

Both Yoga and Pilates require mind and body co-ordination using different breathing teachniques, and  due to their holistic approach to exercise, you may think they are very similar. Having practised both forms of exercise for many years, I have come to have my own personal answer to explain the differences in their approach from a practical point of view.

Although Yoga takes many forms and some are more aerobic than others, in a Yoga class, you will often find yourself holding a pose (asana) for some time before you move on to do the next. The muscles you contract to keep certain parts of your body in  a specific position are put under isometric contraction. Here you will focus on staying in one pose and learn how to allow your body to relax into it as opposed to putting a strain on your body. 

Pilates, on the other hand, places more focus on moving specific parts of body in a flowing motion. Each Pilates exercise has a unique sequence of movement to  target specific muscle groups. In a Pilates class you will be working on moving certain parts of your body while stabilising the other parts. It is this idea of 'enhanced mobility supported by greater stability' that makes Pilates such an ideal exercise for anything from rehabilitation to training professional athletes.