To Pilates or not to Pilates!!

[Wantorun2013]

Thinking of supplementing with either yoga or Pilates once a week and a 30 min spin class. Other than doing yoga in preparation for child birth 20 yrs ago 😱never done either any one out there know what the difference is ? Thanks

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I may be able to help a little here. I am no expert.....but my son is a Yogi so I hear a lot about it.

Yoga in its true form is a discipline originally from India aiming to balance and give control over body and mind. It includes exercise and balance, mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques etc. It is known to have been around for around 5000 years..... although there are now many variations of the original discipline.

Pilates was developed in 1920 ish by Joseph Pilates, originally as a form of rehabilitation. Many say it is based on yoga techniques. Pilates focuses on improving flexibilty, strength and body awareness. Supposed to be good for core strength.

Over the past 12 months I have been doing some yoga and a little Pilates regularly to aid my running.

When I saw my physio last week he was very complimentary of my range of movement and my core strength (I had my 60th birthday earlier this year). Clearly the running, stretching, yoga and Pilates is doing no harm😀

So I would say have a go at both. But be aware a lot depends on the teacher and their preferences so shop around a bit if you can.

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

Many thanks really helpful think lm going to give Pilates ago first as l need to work on my core stability. So many different types of yoga available as well 😝 thank you x

[Millsie-J Graduate in reply to Wantorun2013]

Enjoy!

There is a wide range of both yoga and pliates on line too, great if you have a smart tv!

[icklegui Graduate]

There are indeed many types of yoga and I have also heard that pilates is a lot like some yoga, just without any spiritual or mindful component. It might just be easier if you go with pilates for your core!

But depending on what's near you and if you get interested in checking out yoga then I know about two types - Iyengar and Vinyasa flow. Iyengar you're supposed to be basically doing the same series of poses each time and the focus is on perfecting and holding poses for a long time, which I personally find a bit boring mentally but that probably means it's good mental practice! Holding the poses is still difficult, even in the simplest of poses you're supposed to activate (tense) all your muscles.

Vinyasa flow is my fave, there's a lot of movement so it's less... boring! The idea is coordinating movement with breathing, for example you might reach upwards with an inhale, then fold forward and bend over while breathing out, step back into a lunge while inhaling, etc. My teachers have all be excellent and you just follow what they say and you'll still get most of the benefit if you don't manage to coordinate.

Both types will help you with balance, stretching, core strength etc., but it'll depend on the teacher's focus as to what you get in each class. I think Vinyasa feels more like a workout to me. I definitely would say go to a few classes, whatever you do, I mean I wouldn't feel confident without a teacher's eye to begin with.

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to icklegui]

Thanks that's really helpful just feel lm loosing some strength and want to do something about it and lm not a gym babe 😂

[icklegui Graduate in reply to Wantorun2013]

I have never knowingly set foot in a gym! I might have to to find a treadmill one day if I can't run outside... dreading that day!

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to icklegui]

😂👍

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I don't know a lot about yoga, but I do Pilates - it is about core muscle fitness. It has made my joints much more supple ( happy knees = good for running ) & my muscle strength & tone better. I am stronger, more flexible and supple in my late 50s than I was 10 years ago. I use a couple of Pilates exercises to warm up my knees & ankles before running. Hope that helps.

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to Elfe5]

Thanks very helpful booking into a local Pilates class next week hopefully, waiting to hear from them😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Exercise on rest days is very useful...

Yoga, you can do very day...(I do)....and there are other things you can do at home too...lots of little exercise routines that you can do, and they need not cost you a penny

I use Yoga for Runners with Adrienne sometimes.. She does a whole series...they are useful

I use a routine from Honolulu trainer too... for strength training... know it off by heart now

Stretching exercises are great too...

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Many thanks for your kind advice. 😀

[SueKen Graduate]

I tried Pilates, couldn't get the hang of the breathing and just got frustrated. But have found a yoga class that I love, especially the relaxation at the end 💤

[Wantorun2013 Graduate in reply to SueKen]

😂😂👍 thanks