Understanding the Difference Between Pilates Fitness Exercise and Yoga

The world is shifting its priorities and today, you won’t be able to enjoy a high calorie the same way your parents would have when they were of your age. It just goes to show how we value our health and the more we know, the less willing we are to take risks. Are you familiar why is pilates fitness exercise different from yoga? Hence, people strive to enjoy a healthy meal, in terms of tastes as well as for its nutritional value.

It should be of no surprise that almost every other celebrity in Hollywood either wants to practice yoga or Pilates. The advantages offered by these two unique exercises are such that only a few can match up to them and give the level of workout that can achieve individually. You can try to do regular exercises, but if you want results, you might want to give one of these two a try.

Now, it becomes important to differentiate between the two exercises. Their names might be lightly used and you would have come across both of them in a variety of shows on TV, in movies or even in your neighborhood. There is no shortage of people practicing one or both of these exercises and you should find someone relatively easily.

Yoga is more to do with spirituality. It aims to help people understand the concept of mind, body and soul. People who practice yoga are made to believe that with proper mind control, they can successfully treat their body and protect it from falling ill, while building muscle strength and improving their health all at the same time. It is very unique, and an exercise that has history dating back to thousands of years.

Pilates, on the other hand, is more to do with using your body in synchronization with your mind to perform exercises. It is built such that when you do your exercises physically, your mind is also aware of what is going on and contributes to the exercises. It is a modern approach and was developed in the 20th century by Joseph Pilates, a part Greek, part German individual who was assigned the task of developing an exercise regimen for WWII troops.

While it may seem like both the exercise programs are doing the same thing, the truth is that their approach is different. While yoga uses no extra apparatus other than a regular exercise mat, Pilates exercise has evolved to include some exercising equipment that offer resistant exercises and consequently make the workouts more physical.

Whatever may be your final goal; both of these techniques are proven to be extremely effective and are helpful in reducing your weight, toning your body and restoring your health. Under a qualified instructor, you should be able to attain a high degree of fitness and be able to cope with stress as well.

You shouldn’t really be worried too much about which technique you want to go ahead with and trying to be fit. If it is stress you want to deal with then go ahead with yoga; if it’s pure physical fitness exercise that you are after, then Pilates is the answer for you.

Pilates For Better Fitness and A Beautiful Body

I spoke to an old friend in Australia few days ago and was thrilled to hear that she too had just returned home from a Pilates class. I couldn’t explained why but it made so excited to hear that more people are recognizing that Pilates is a wonderful form of exercise and fitness activity.

As we all know, Pilates is a popular fitness activity among the celebrities and the stars in Hollywood. It is inspiring to know that many celebrities like Cindy Crawford, Jessica Simpson and even the Domestic Goddess, Nigella Lawson work hard to gain that Pilates body despite their busy filming schedules. There is really no excuse to give your body a good workout at least once or twice a week. It’s not hard to convince any Pilates enthusiast what the exercise can do for them. It strengthens, tones and builds muscles and helps to align your posture on the overall.

Most of the celebrities have themselves a personal Pilates trainer or instructor to guide them in their workouts in proper Pilates studios. For a start, a private Pilates session can help you gain a clearer and better understanding of the workout. If your budget does not allow you to engage a personal Pilates trainer, a group class works too, but make sure it’s a class of not more than six. Once the class gets bigger, it’s hard to get the movements correct without close supervision. It’s hard for the instructor to guide each person individually in a group class.

I have attended group reformer (with Pilates machine) and group mat and each class is normally between 2-6 students, nothing more. I also work out on a duet session with another Pilates enthusiast on a separate day. Over the months, I have gained much understanding on Pilates but most of all, my arms and abs are stronger and my legs are toned. And my breathing has improved tremendously! Though it wasn’t for a Pilates body that led me to Pilates but I have gained more than just a more attractive physique. Do you know Pilates can also help kids in their mental and physical developments too?

If you want a better understanding of what Pilates exercise is all about before signing up for a class, there are heaps of Pilates videos, DVDs on the web or books to provide the information. It’s not too late to work on those flabby arms and abs for your summer vacation – you just need to work harder

Workout with a Pilates Video or DVD from Home

There are many ways to learn Pilates and if you can’t afford the time and money, one of the most effective ways is to buy a Pilates video. Personally, I have been watching some Pilates videos and they have acted as a refresher for me. Sometimes, I can easily forget those Pilates flow and moves after the class but watching a Pilates video can help to refresh my mind and help me remember what I learned and did. If you aren’t sure what’s the right video to get, watching a trailer will be a good start and YouTube.com is a good place to scout for good references too.

Many of these Pilates Dvds are affordable and can be ordered online. Once you have decided that this method is working for you, do invest in a good Pilates mat. Get one that is not too thin so that it can provide good support for your spine and back when you lie down. After all, the mat will last you for a long time. Eventually, you may want to get a Pilates fit ball. If you are small in stature, a 55cm ball is good and 65cm will be ideal for those who are taller and bigger build. These are just a few cheap and useful Pilates equipment you can buy to get started with Pilates from home.

Do you know you can also learn Pilates online via online streaming technology. The advantage of such a membership is that you don’t need to buy all the Pilates DVDs but instead, you can choose any sort of Pilates exercise in a given time, as long as your membership is still valid. With just $9.95 per month, you can learn Pilates anytime, anywhere, and you can choose from a host of different workouts from the library.

I am a strong believer of working out with a Pilates instructor if you have no basics in Pilates. The Pilates instructor will be able to show you the right way to breathe during the workout and explain a few basic lingo commonly used in Pilates. These ‘lingo’ will help you to engage the right muscles and make your Pilates exercise a more effective one. If you can, do a few private sessions to understand these simple steps before going on your own with your Pilates video. You can work towards a better body before the year end. Get started now.

Why is Pilates Exercise a Great Fitness Activity?

The wonderful thing about Pilates exercise is that it is a great fitness activity for people getting on in age. Pilates can be done at various levels and a qualified instructor can customize it accordingly for the individual.

After practising Pilates for more than six months, I realized that like many fitness acitivies, Pilates can be performed at a pace dictated by the strength and stamina of the individual. Unlike traditional weight training or body building, it is not goal driven. Pilates focuses on the wellness of the individual and in many cases, it helps to meet specific health goals for those who need help on posture, body alignment and rehabilitation. Ultimately, Pilates is all about achieving long term, tangible results.

Do you know that Pilates can also help with relief from stress and mental tension? It can also have a direct impact on maintaining strength and range of motion, both of which are especially important for the aged. Studies have shown that Pilates can also provide relief from back pain and other physical injuries which is why you can find Pilates practitioners in rehab centres.

Concentration is vital in Pilates. The key to effective Pilates is to make the connection between mind and body. One of the core principles of Pilates is to establish control of the body through discipline and focused thought. Controlled breathing plays a pivotal role in achieving results in Pilates. In Pilates,a form of breathing called Lateral Breathing is used. This is performed by inhaling deeply through one’s nose, and allowing the inhaled air to expand one’s ribcage. This form of breathing is also known as Thoracic Breathing.

It isn’t hard to convince Pilates enthusiasts that this is a highly effective fitness activity for maintaining health and vitality, regardless of any age or stage in life. One of the many reasons why I have chosen Pilates exercise as an ongoing activity is because it is great for me when I mature in years later in life. From my observation, aging individuals often lose control of their coordination and muscles, and this can lead to a sense of frustration and mental anguish for people who are used to their sense of independence. Pilates can provide people with the tools and techniques they need to age with dignity and a sense of well being. Having said that, Pilates may not be for everyone, but it could be ideal for you.