Mat mates
In the West, yoga classes, which also last between one and one and a half hours, focus on a set of physical postures ('asanas'), breathing exercises ('pranayama') and meditation. How much of each you'll experience will depend on the type of yoga class you attend. Iyengar yoga, for example, is a very precise, slow form which uses various props, including cushions, straps and wooden blocks. Ashtanga, or power yoga, on the other hand, is a quicker, more fluid kind of practice that takes you through several different postures - and it's difficult not to build up a sweat. Most classes these days are a fusion of the two, so you'll get a mix of meditation, slow movements and a few quicker, dynamic poses as well. Sessions are done in bare feet on a mat, and you will twist and turn your body into various challenging positions. You are encouraged to use breathing to hold each asana and deepen each stretch. The spiritual thread is explored to greater or lesser degrees in different classes, and some may include a session of meditation or chanting. However, the popular focus is on the more 'down-to-earth' benefits, including improved strength, flexibility and mental clarity. The ultimate goal of yoga - connecting with the true self - may be a bit abstract to begin with, but after a few sessions you will get comfortable with the idea and be able to achieve this stillness and inward focus.
Breathing and concentration are fundamental to both practices, but yoga employs them on a deeper level. Some yoga classes focus heavily on the breath and may include a session on specific breathing exercises. One subtle difference is that in yoga, one inhales and exhales through the nose only (called ujjayi breathing), while in Pilates inhaling is through the nose and exhalation is through the mouth.
Which one is for me?
The best way to answer this question is to try both. Like any other discipline, 'it's up to the individual,' says Gordon Thomson, who has taught Pilates for 22 years and devised the Body Control Pilates system used in schools all over the world.
Having said that, many choose Pilates for its emphasis on the core postural muscles: this can strengthen lower backs and flatten tummies - especially after pregnancy - at a much greater rate than any yoga class, however dynamic it may be. Furthermore, Pilates is often recommended for those who need to maintain the body's strength while recovering from an injury of any kind, especially those of the lower back.
Meanwhile, others find the spiritual side of yoga more appealing. Most regulars agree that it helps to reduce stress and sculpt the body into a leaner, stronger and more flexible physique.
previous | 1 | 2 | 3 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
DietAnotherDay| Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
