Pilates? Isn’t that like some kind of yoga?
If you have ever practiced either Pilates or Yoga, you have probably heard endless variations on this sentence before. It can be hard to come up with a succinct definition for either in the moment that this question is asked. So why is it that such distinct practices can become jumbled up in our brains?
Yoga has existed for over 5,000 years, while Pilates has only been around since the 20th century. Yoga originates in India as a spiritual practice, while Pilates was invented as a way to recover from physical injury. Yet the two practices are often conflated, leading to a misunderstanding of both.
It is true that Yoga and Pilates have many similarities, specifically in their ultimate goal: maintaining physical and mental well-being. An inability to concretely define the two can likely be attributed to this fact.
Here, we will explore the history of these practices and how they can come together to benefit our lives. You may find that Pilates is actually kind of like a form of Yoga, or you may walk away thinking the complete opposite. Most of all, if you have expertise in one of these areas, we hope you come away with a newfound desire to try another.
Overview of Yoga
In order to understand how Pilates and yoga can be complimentary resources for one another, we must first understand them individually. The history of Yoga is quite extensive, so treat this only as a brief overview and check out our sources at the end for more information.
The earliest archaeological evidence of Yoga, human figures depicting yogic and meditative poses, dates back to around 2500-2700 BC. These artifacts were found to be part of the Indus River Valley Civilization, one of the three earliest civilizations that ever existed (as far as we know), located in present-day Pakistan and northwestern India. Yoga began as a way for an individual to enhance breath control and inner awareness.
During the Vedic Period, Yoga became central to Hinduism as a way to transcend from ordinary life. This time period focused on preserving and adhering to the Vedas, four of the oldest Hindu texts said to be knowledge from the Gods. While it is inconclusive where the first definition of Yoga was used, the Rig-Veda is often pointed out as one of the earliest sources of the term. It is also important to mention that Yoga was not exclusive to Hinduism, it is also closely tied to Buddhism, Jainism, and other South Asian cultures. Evidently, Yoga has always been about more than finding inner peace; it is an ancient and sacred form of spirituality.
Yoga was defined in a more concrete way by Patanjali during the Classical Period. Patanjali presented the Yoga-Sutras, a compilation of ideas founded on ethics, philosophy, and meditation to guide one’s practice.
Over the course of centuries, different branches of Yoga were established. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Hatha Yoga was introduced to the west. Hatha Yoga centered on breaking the ties between the mind and the physical plane, thus continuing the concept of transcendence. The version of Yoga popularized in the west was not as focused on religion, but still contained elements of deep spirituality.
In the modern day, Hatha Yoga is what many people picture when they think about Yoga. Hatha Yoga prioritizes Asanas and Pranayama, physical poses and breath control respectively. Another popular form is Vinyasa Yoga, in which practitioners combine fluid movement, or “flow”, with breath control. Aerial Yoga, a very modern invention, utilizes hanging silks to enhance flexibility and core strength.
Whichever version of Yoga you practice, they all have something in common. Yoga provides material benefits to your body, such as improving flexibility, balance, and strength. As you improve your physicality, Yoga also relaxes and grounds your mind. Even if you do not subscribe to spirituality, practicing Yoga will improve your mental clarity, enhancing the connection between yourself and the space around you.
Overview of Pilates
While the origins of Yoga are somewhat contested, we can attribute much of the invention of Pilates to Joseph Pilates. Born in Germany, Pilates began as a circus performer before being captured and held with his troupe during World War I. It was then that he led exercise regiments for those in captivity, developing his background in fitness.
Many factors contributed to the refinement of Pilates as a form of exercise. Joseph Pilates learned from medical practitioners, modern dance, meditation, and working with injured soldiers after the war. After emigrating to the United States in the 1920s, Pilates made his finishing touches to the Reformer, and created the first iteration of Pilates, called Contrology.
As the method for this early form of Pilates improved, Joseph Pilates garnered a reputation for his ability to cure dancers of their injuries. Many of the dancers that Pilates worked with went on to become Pilates teachers, helping other performers with their own injuries.
The goal of Pilates was to increase the connection between the mind and body by using systematic forms of discipline. It was thought that through more bodily awareness, injuries could be prevented or even fixed without the need for medical assistance. Joseph Pilates even claimed that Pilates benefitted mental health, hoping that the practice could become so widespread that the need for prisons and mental health institutions would decline.
While Pilates had many supporters in the field of fitness, it was not fully accepted by the medical community until the late 20th century. Today, many proponents of fitness suggest Pilates as a beneficial addition to sports and physical activity due to its ability to strengthen mind-muscle connection.
Even though Pilates is founded in science and evidence-based information, people who practice Pilates often feel a sense of spiritual wellness too. The relaxing and grounding effects of Pilates cannot be understated. People may adhere to their routine of Pilates not only because it impacts their body, but also because it impacts their mental well-being.
Combining Two Mediums
Upon comparing the history of Pilates versus the history of Yoga, you may notice the uniqueness of both. Despite their differing origins, Pilates and Yoga both have elements of meditation, relaxation, and, most importantly, an emphasis on self awareness.
Despite Pilates not being rooted in religion and spirituality, focusing on intelligent exercise can lead to mental clarity that feels similar to transcending from physical space. Like Yoga, it can leave a person with a lasting sense of peace.
Both mediums are great ways to achieve rehabilitation, and putting effort into both can lead to beneficial results. Pilates can involve more strenuous activity, and Yoga can be a good way to re-regulate the body after this intense exercise. Pilates targets muscle groups directly, allowing for full body engagement. Yoga can assist with building muscle as well, making Pilates exercises less difficult over time.
Despite all the benefits of Pilates, it still lacks a strong spiritual component. For those looking to become more in tune with their spirituality, Yoga is a great way to transcend from the mundane.
Both Yoga and Pilates can lead to an increase in strength, more flexibility, and better posture. Either is great for mental and physical health, especially in tandem with other sports. Most importantly, both foster a connection between the body and the soul. We suggest trying both in order to find what works best for you. No matter which exercise you practice, always be guided by the desire to improve the well-being of your complete self.