Yoga And Pilates Similarities And Benefits
– Guest blog post by Juliette –
What Is Similar About Yoga And Pilates?
Yoga and Pilates can be combined very well if you want to work on your posture and strength. Despite the differences, there are similarities in movements and goals. Because of these similarities, it is a nice combination. They’re like sisters.
Pilates has the following six principles:
- Centering
- Concentration
- Check
- Breathing
- Precision
- Flow
Because it resembles the basic principles of yoga, you can easily integrate it into your yoga routine.
My Journey
Eighteen years ago, after my third pregnancy, I was introduced to Pilates and I loved it! Especially after I gave birth to two children in one year.
Pregnancy changes your body and with Pilates, I got my strength and energy back within a few months. Important tools I needed to take care of three small children. This was when I decided to become a Pilates trainer.
As a mother of young children, you need strength and energy. You are constantly lifting and you try to keep tons of balls in the air.
Pilates was my resting point. I could really focus on my body for a moment, but also saw how it helped me physically and mentally. You don’t have to be a mother of young children to experience why Pilates is so good for you. I will mention some other reasons:
1. It Strengthens Your Core Stability
Pilates is known for strengthening your abs. Your abs are only one part of your core stability, which you also call your ‘core’.
This is the center from which all your movements come and concerns all the muscles such as your pelvic floor, transversus abdominis and diaphragm that strengthen, support and stabilize your torso.
A strong torso (also called ‘the powerhouse’) also plays an important role in reducing pain in the hips and back.
2. It Increases Your Body Awareness
Pilates focuses on your body and mind and strengthens proprioception: the ability to perceive the position of your own body and body parts.
By bringing your attention inwards you increase your body awareness and you become more aware of positive and negative emotions and pain in your body. As a result, you get to know your body better, you can prevent injuries and learn to listen to your body.
3. You Find A Balance Between Strength, Flexibility And Mobility
Maybe you are flexible but you lack strength (or vice versa). Pilates can help you achieve both because the exercises focus on strength, flexibility and mobility.
It is good for your body to have a certain flexibility, but good mobility is something you should not underestimate. With active mobility, not only is a bit of flexibility important, strength also plays a major role.
In Pilates, we work on all three aspects to get our body moving in the right way.
4. Pilates Is Suitable For Everyone
Whether you’re in your sixties who just started exercising, a professional athlete who demands a lot from his body or a mother who has had three pregnancies.
You can apply all the principles of Pilates to your body and lifestyle. You move from the core, you focus on the right posture and you integrate mind and body.
Ready To Experience The Power Of Pilates Workouts?
On my Membership Platform Team Strongbody you will find more than 140 online Pilates workouts if you want to keep moving with Pilates every day.
The platform is lockdown proof and you have unlimited access to the workouts. Enjoy even more benefits such as:
- 24/7 access to the platform
- A new training calendar every month to keep you motivated
- Monthly access to a one-hour LIVE online Pilates class
- Access to the Recipe Library with healthy vegetarian and vegan recipes
- Every month an inspiring theme about personal growth and development
- You decide where and when you do the workouts
- Can be canceled monthly (with a monthly subscription).
- A personal platform that is run passionately from the heart
As a reader of the Samarali blog, you get a 5 euro discount on your first month of your subscription. Use coupon code Samarali21 and start your Pilates journey!
Would you rather meet me first? Then take a look at my YouTube channel where you can participate in more than sixty workouts. If you haven’t done Pilates before, I recommend Pilates for Beginners Workout.
I truly believe that the combination of yoga and Pilates is a ‘relationship made in heaven. While you enjoy the beautiful spiritual benefits of Yoga, you are working effectively and practically with Pilates.
Good luck with your Pilates adventure!
Love,
Juliette
About the author: Juliette is a Pilates trainer and the owner of Strongbody. She writes about conscious movement, happiness, motherhood, personal development, and travel. She also shares delicious plant-based dishes and can show how to get a powerful body with her online Pilates workouts.
