<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Over the years, the fitness world has evolved dramatically. Nowadays, exercise junkies know and can attest that all weights and cardio will no longer cut it.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">This discovery is partly responsible for the seemingly cult following both yoga and Pilates have enjoyed through the years. While often connected, interchanged, and used in the same sentence, there are distinct </span><span style="color: #0000ff;">difference between yoga and Pilates</span><span style="color: #000000;"> not many are aware of.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Explore the many </span><span style="color: #0000ff;">difference between yoga and Pilates</span><span style="color: #000000;"> have and discover what each discipline has to offer. </span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #000000;">Pilates</span></b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Born in Germany in 1880, Joseph Pilates had to deal with several medical challenges as a child such as rheumatic fever, asthma, and rickets. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">His determination to combat his afflictions has turned him into an exercise renaissance man of sorts at the age of 14. By then, he was already an accomplished diver, skier, gymnast, and wrester. He has also posed as model for anatomical parts. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">When he was interned for a year in England during World War I, he taught internees the fitness regimen he has developed. Apparently, those who embraced and practiced his program were able to survive the influenza epidemic that claimed thousands during that time. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Once referred to as <i>Contrology</i> (the study of control), Pilates is also often referred to as “moving meditation.” This non-impact system is ideal if you wish to develop peerless core strength and great posture. Done consistently, it is your trusted ally in developing powerful, bio-mechanically efficient, and uniformly sculpted muscles.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4956" alt="Differentiating Yoga and Pilates All You Need To Know" src="https://medusamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Differentiating-Yoga-and-Pilates-All-You-Need-To-Know-1024x682.jpg" width="710" height="472" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #000000;">Yoga</span></b></h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Loosely translated, yoga means “to conjoin” or “to yoke.” This holistic practice aims to unite the body, spirit, and mind through meditation, breathing techniques, and movement.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">While yoga’s exact history and origin is uncertain, it is believed to be at least thousands of years old, with yoga postures depicted as drawings dating back to as early as 3000 BC.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Introduced in the nineteenth century, yoga started as a movement for vegetarianism and health. Over the years, it has evolved into a myriad of styles available for practitioners today. While there are diverse styles to pick from, the five principles of yoga remains contant—<i>asanas</i> (proper exercise), <i>pranayama</i> (correct breathing), <i>saucha </i>(proper diet), <i>dhyana</i> (positive thinking and meditation), and <i>savasana </i>(complete relaxation).</span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #000000;">What are Some of the Key differences between Yoga and Pilates?</span></b></h3>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Every movement in Pilates extends through the limbs and emanates from the center or the core. Yoga on the other hand emphasizes breath concentration first and foremost before focusing on mastering and deepening a pose.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">In yoga, practitioners use either a heat-inducing and smooth breath known as the <i>ujjayi</i> or a rapid one that produces internal heat referred to as <i>kapalabhati.</i> In Pilates however, a controlled, slow, and diaphragmatic breath is employed in most of its exercises. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Yoga is focused mainly on enhancing the flexibility and strength of the limbs and the spine while Pilates works on promoting abdominal strength first before focusing on overall flexibility and symmetrical musculature. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">In yoga, majority of the poses are done standing and makes use of gravity in order to lengthen the body. However, there are also a number of poses that are carried out on the floor such as twists, bends, and plows, among others. In Pilates, many of the exercises entail lying down, either side-lying, on the back or supine, and on the stomach or prone. Movements are designed to engage and lengthen the abdominal muscles and defy gravity.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Yoga is a lifestyle and any exercise benefits are as a result of this approach whereas Pilates is targeted and is more musculoskeletally oriented.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #000000;">Taking into account all the superb benefits yoga and Pilates has to offer, it is no doubt wise to incorporate both in your daily exercise routine. </span></p>

Differentiating Yoga and Pilates: All You Need To Know
