What's the difference between Yoga and Pilates
Yoga and Pilates are often lumped together because of the similarities of certain positions and the benefits they both have on posture, flexibility and muscle strengthening.
Actually Yoga and Pilates very different, understanding the differences between the two can help you choose which activity to practice that is best suited to your needs.
Let's look at how Yoga and Pilates differ, starting with the origins
THE ORIGINS OF YOGA
Yoga is an ancient discipline developed in India 5,000 years ago. The etymology of yoga comes from the Sanskrit word Yuj meaning "union." One of the purposes of yoga is to improve our health by disciplining the body and training the mind to develop meditative skills. The concept of health in yoga is understood in a holistic sense, meaning physical-psychological-spiritual well-being.
Yoga consists of eight parts or principles described in the text by Patanjali (who lived trail II and V centuries B.C.) entitled the yoga sutra. The principles are.
Yama: The external ethical precepts
Niyama: The personal ethical precepts
Asana: The postures
Pranayama: The breathing
Pratyahara: The withdrawal of the senses
Dharana: Concentration
Dhyana: Meditation
Samadhi: Union with the Divine
THE ORIGINS OF PILATES
Pilates is named after its originator, Joseph Hubertus Pilates (1883 - 1967) who devised this specific gymnastics codified in the text Contrology. The title refers to the basic concept of the Pilates method in which the focus is on controlling muscles with the mind. After his death, his method passed into history as the Pilates method, or simply Pilates, evolving and supplementing with new medical knowledge.
The Pilates method consists of six principles:
Breathing
Posture
Precision
Concentration of mind
Control
Coordination
PURPOSE
PURPOSE OF YOGA
Yoga aims at mental-physical-spiritual well-being.
Whenever you practice Yoga you should remember the intention with which you practice. Physical exercise does not have a performance purpose, but is meant to bring complete well-being.
We are made up of body-mind-spirit, and physical exercise associated with breath, which is the bridge between soul and body, and meditation allows us to bring unity between the various components. Once we bring balance and unity in the body-mind-spirit we can regain complete well-being.
PURPOSE OF PILATES
The purpose of Pilates is physical performance. Pilates is done to strengthen and sculpt the body.
BREATHING
BREATHING IN YOGA
Breathing is a means of connecting body and mind. It is used both in the performance of yoga asana poses and in meditations or specific practices of pure breathing technique.
BREATHING IN PILATES
Breathing is used as a physical strengthening tool, particularly exhalation is used at the moment of maximum effort to support the most intense contraction of muscles.
CONCENTRATION OF THE MIND
MIND IN YOGA
Mind in yoga is perceived as fluctuating and never concretely focused on living in the present moment. The mind worries about the future or thinks back to the past. It fails to be united with the body in the present. Yoga is concerned with gathering the mind's attention and reuniting it with the body in the present to allow for the balance and well-being that is the ultimate goal of yoga practice
MIND IN PILATES
Mind acts as the controller. In Pilates the mind must control what the body does; it supersedes physical activity rather than joining it.
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