Pilates vs. Yoga
Often times, I am asked by a patient which form of exercise I recommend they begin as they leave my care: Pilates or yoga?
Both forms of exercise have gained mainstream recognition and popularity over the past decade. Both can be practiced in a group setting, during a one-on-one instruction session, or by one’s self in the comfort of your own home. But that is where much of the similarities end.
Pilates, named for its founder, Mr. Joseph Pilates, was developed in the early 1900’s in Europe, and then its practice immigrated to the US along with “Joe”. This method of exercise incorporates the strength training and coordination of the body’s core musculature: particularly within the trunk, hip, and shoulder girdle regions.
Pilates is, in my opinion, one of the best forms of exercise. Each of the orthopedic pain issues my patients present with is partnered with a deficit in one of those three core areas of the body—regardless of whether my patient’s pain onset was insidious or by way of injury. In fact, I have been instructing patients (and other physical therapists) in a form of core exercise called Spinal Stabilization Training since the early 1990’s—long before Pilates became popularized in the US beyond high level dancers.
Yoga, on the other hand, focuses on flexibility and control of balance. Both of these areas are extremely important to the body and will enhance recovery from physical pain—and may even help to ward off future injury. That said, there is a personal concern that I have about yoga which has little to do with the movements participated in and everything to do with the origin and, to some degree, the continued religious aspects which permeate its practice.
Yoga was developed within the religion of Hinduism as one of its six Schools of Thought. Its practice is described as a physical, mental, and spiritual exercise. Many of the “poses” are named to worship the created things instead of the Creator (i.e. sun and moon salutations). The poses were originally developed to display before the gods and therefore create a sense of unity (yoga) with them.
As I said earlier, this is my own personal issue—I do not participate in yoga because I feel that, at its core, it is an affront to my God. Many people participate in yoga with the opinion that they can “eat the meat and spit out the bones” of Hindu spirituality. The choice is yours to make, but when I am asked, I always recommend Pilates over yoga, and I do warn of the potential spiritual entanglement one may encounter if yoga is practiced in the traditional manner.