So Why is Pilates Different from Going to the Gym or Yoga? Part II

I was asked in a previous post what makes Pilates different from going to the gym or Yoga?. In the interest of full disclosure, my wife asked the question but its a good question, so here goes :)

In this post I'll list some obvious differences between Yoga and Pilates. Let me stress I do not believe Pilates to be better than Yoga, although I have a personal preference for Pilates :)

Pilates exercises often look a lot like Yoga but are normally performed and taught a little differently: the focus is on the core, remaining centred and stabilised, in complete control, with precision, flow and concentration.

This differs from how Yoga is normally performed as:

• Pilates is concerned with only the physical and mental, not the spiritual (Yoga is not normally concerned with religious spirituality but meditation and the energies of the body).
• multiple repetitions are common for Pilates exercises (in the range of 3 to 10) but not common with Yoga asanas (normally 3 or less).
  
• a variety of different resistance equipment is used to practice Pilates, from the small portable Magic Circle to the Reformer and Cadillac.
• the majority of Pilates involves trunk flexation (forward bending), trunk extension (backward bending) is emphasized a lot more in Yoga practice.
  
• Pilates exercises are normally dynamic, few positions are held. Many Yoga asanas are held for several seconds or longer.
  
• Pilates has a long association with Physical Therapy, using and modifying techniques and exercises developed by clinicians.
  

Many Pilates exercises have no link at all with Yoga and were either invented by Joseph Pilates or were inspired by his work with other disciplines including: Boxing, Weight Training and Dance.