Ask your mum this Mothers Day."Which is best Yoga or Pilates?"

The exercise regime developed by Pilates did draw on some inspiration from ancient yoga positions, though the two disciplines do have some big differences. Yoga is undoubtedly the more holistic of these two health and fitness routines, while Pilates does try to attain a similar level of physical fitness aims. Pilates exercises use a series of controlled breathing and movement routines, and can be especially effective, for a good shaped body, and helping people look more lean and taller than they otherwise might.

When Pilates was developing his exercises during confinement, the only exercise equipment available was the hospital bed. Through imaginative adaptation of a few yoga positions and a bed, a system of exercises evolved over time, and the bed inspiration can be seen in the Pilates machine or reformer, the mainstay of Pilates exercise gear.

The Pilates machine makes the exercise he developed easier to learn, and to some more enjoyable too. Like yoga, Pilates does focus too on breathing, concentration, precision and control. Also, a person's own body weight serves as resistance in many exercises.

Despite the yoga influence, Pilates really only encompasses small aspects of the enormous yoga discipline, and does not try to compete with it. They are best seen as complementary to each other, and if your doctor agrees, they could be used together with good effect

Yoga puts more emphasis on flexibility, relaxation, spirituality, meditation and breathing than Pilates. Given the way Pilates exercises developed, that is no surprise. He made good, or even ingenious, use of what was available in particular circumstances for specific reasons.



Professional Dancer Christa Price in Aeroplane.

It is probably wrong to say yoga is better than Pilates, or vice versa. They are best seen as two possible disciplines in your health and fitness armoury, disciplines which may suit different people at different times.So why not do both click here for full timetable.