Yoga and Pilates Fusion Workouts
Wander into any gym or exercise studio and you are bound to find classes with interesting titles heralding some type of “fusion” workout. Yolates, PiYoga, and Yogilates are just a few examples of combined Yoga and Pilates routines that claim to offer the best of both worlds and profess to be bigger, better and more effective. But do they work?
To determine if these hybrid routines are truly superior to the systems they combine, it’s important to understand the differences between Yoga and Pilates, and what is unique about each exercise system.
What are the Goals of Yoga?
Since it’s been around about 2000 years longer (if we’re fact-checking), let’s start with Yoga. The practice of Yoga has a rich history that spans the globe. Spiritually, Yoga reaches beyond our humble planet and extends into the heavens: The original mission of Yoga was to cleanse and purify the body to receive the Divine Power of God. Today, while many still preserve this as their practice goal, others use it to promote health, fitness, and mental stability.
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It’s important to understand the differences between Yoga and Pilates. |  |
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To achieve the full benefits of this practice, Yoga practitioners push their bodies and minds to the limit through a variety of strategies. In a Yoga class, you can expect to hold challenging positions, assume difficult postures, regulate your breathing, and, perhaps most demanding of all, attempt to quiet your mind. Classes often incorporate chanting and always end with resting postures to prepare the body for re-entry into everyday activities.
What are the Goals of Pilates?
Developed only 90 years ago by Joseph Pilates, the Pilates method is a purely physical experience that does not contain any spiritual or religious elements. Compared to Yoga, Pilates is a mere blip on the screen, yet the Pilates practice is a sound anatomical strengthening program which draws on modern wisdom about the human body.
Your typical Pilates workout includes mat exercises and apparatus routines with the primary goal of improving core strength. Pilates exercises move rapidly from one exercise to the next with a minimum of repetitions and absolutely no static postures. Quite the opposite of Yoga, the Pilates protocol is to exercise dynamically, taxing the muscles to perform in ways that translate directly into real life. Pair that type of routine with over a dozen spring-driven pieces of equipment and Pilates can seem as far away from Yoga as a six-pack of abs can get.
Similarities Between Yoga and Pilates
There are some similarities between Yoga and Pilates. Joseph Pilates drew upon his own practice of Yoga, among other things, to create his training system, which has often been called “yoga in motion.” Both Yoga, although devoid of equipment, and Pilates focus on developing a high degree of musculoskeletal control through focus and concentration. In fact, during Joseph Pilates’ lifetime, his method was never called “Pilates” but rather “Contrology,” which Pilates explained was “The Art of Control.”
The biggest difference between Pilates and Yoga is in the type of class you choose. A private Pilates session on Pilates equipment focuses on your specific needs and is tailored to address your strengths and weaknesses according to your instructor's assessment of your ability. A Yoga class, on the other hand, is a communal experience where you can be more independent in your practice while benefiting from the energy of a group environment.
Both Yoga and Pilates are systems of exercise intended for execution in a predetermined order. Purists argue that following order is essential to maintaining the integrity of each method and that exercises taken out of context or reconfigured may not be as effective. There is a reason that Sun Salutations follow a certain format and that the Pilates Abdominal series follows a precise order. Each method is organized to cycle through distinct movement patterns as well as particular muscle recruitment, similar to circuit training.
If you are interested in trying a fusion class before mastering the fundamentals of either Pilates or Yoga, you won’t be any worse for the wear. But if you’re hoping that you’ll get the maximum benefits of both in one nifty class, you may be disappointed since there is no perfect formula.
My advice is to stick with the original systems of Pilates and Yoga in their purest forms—we already know they work!
By Carlo DeCarlo, Nov 10, 2008
It makes sense that beginners of Yoga and Pilates would benefit from sticking to the pure form of each exercise method - and I'm sure purists prefer them in their original form - but I'm wondering if anyone has had a different experience with the Yoga/Pilates fusion. It would seem that it might be interesting to switch things up if you've been doing either Yoga or Pilates for a long time. Has anyone tried this fusion method and enjoyed it?
By Erica Watson, Nov 10, 2008
I guess I will have to experience both in order to fully understand the key difference betweent the two.
By Julie Elaine Brown, M.A., Nov 30, 2008
But I almost think we need a video or something to show the difference.;)
By Tiffany D, Nov 30, 2008
not pilates because I am afraid of it, though I always thought they were the same. Alycea, what is your take on Yogalitaes? I would like to try this, any thoughts.
By Elizabeth B, Dec 05, 2008
Great article! I never really knew the difference between the two. I think I'll try Pilates soon! I would also love to see a video highlighting the main differences of Yoga and Piliates.
By Sat Hari Kaur K, Apr 08, 2009
Well, yes, but with a few important corrections. You wrote, "The original mission of Yoga was to cleanse and purify the body to receive the Divine Power of God." That implies a duality, which is actually antithetical to the philosophy of yoga. Yoga means "union." It's about creating the experience of the totality of our being, the union of that which we call body and mind and spirit. As we experience our wholeness, we also experience that that which we call human and that which we call divine are one.
You'd also said that yoga is static rather than dynamic. Not so with Kundalini Yoga, as anyone who's ever done frog pose or spinal flex or run in place can attest.
Lastly, yoga can certainly be taught individually and often is (sometimes we call it yoga therapy) although there are distinct benefits to the energy of a group.
The biggest confusion that students have when they practice both yoga and Pilates is how to breath. Many mistakenly think they should be holding the mid and upper abdominal tight, which restricts and interferes with proper breathing and can even encourage reverse breathing.
Sat Hari Kaur Khalsa
Ottawa, ON
Kundalini Yoga teacher & teacher trainer
Yoga therapist
Breathing specialist
By dawn dancing otter, Apr 09, 2009
I find it interesting that we are choosing to focus on the differences between Yoga and Pilates, when they are really in the mindset of the observer.
As a 20+ years facilitator of Pilates Yoga and Dance, I see crossover in all 3, and if I looked closer at Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and other martial arts, gymnastics, and Nia I would again see crossover. It is really in the intent and observation of the practice. The word 'Yoga' means 'Union', so for me, all of these practices unite us with ourselves on a conscious level. To me, it's all yoga.
Big Love,
dawn dancing otter
By Jessica D, May 05, 2009
Yoga and Pilates are different in that yoga is a lifestyle and pilates is a form of exercise. Pilates engages the body and mind, and Yoga engages the body, mind and spirit. Joseph Pilates practiced yoga and it is evident that he used many of the principles of the physical aspect yoga in developing what is now referred to as pilates. I would say that the exercises in pilates are much more like the exercises in Kundalini Yoga rather than Hatha Yoga. Although many pilates instructors will tell you yoga doesn't focus on the core and that pilates is needed in order to strengthen core, this is an incorrect assumption. Correct yoga instruction addresses what should be happening with all of the different areas of the body in each posture such as engaging the abdominal muscles in order to support the spine and stablize the body.
Each Asana or posture is an exercise, a meditation, a connection to energy flow, and a self-diagnostic instrument.
As an exercise, the posture is used too isolate specific points or areas that act as reflex triggers to enhance the functions of the glands and organs, and to re-direct, flush, or increase circulation.
As a meditation, the posture creates a special link and foundation between the body and the mind. Each posture stimulates an area of the body and the mind. Each posture stimulates an area of the body as the meditation technique employed begins to release emotional masking and blocks. The frequency of the mind's thoughts and the emotional tone of the experience are intimately tied to the posture.
As a connection to energy flow, the posture opens an energy pathway between meridian points. Even a baby in the womb moves and goes through 84 postures. If the baby skips one of these postures, that means that energy pathway isn't developed , and you'll have to compensate later. That is why some postures are unexpectedly powerful and initiate great changes.
As a self-diagnostic tool, particular postures may give you signals of pleasure or discomfort and pain that indicate conditions of the musculature, glands, and emotions.
Take a Posture As a Yogi
You'll go through stages as you adjust to the effects of the posture. At first, you may feel awkward. You may fall back on your Western habit of extroversion and look at everyone else, instead of yourself. When you first take a posture, you take it very consciously. It's new. The first thing you do is take the unconscious, full of habits and patterns, and you put it into a specific, consciously established, fixed or rhythmic posture or asana. Awkwardness comes because you encounter the rigidity of your own ego and habits-consiously.
If you hold it, it starts to feel better. The asana starts to find a natural place in you. Your body adjusts, the shoulders relax, you relax the muscules you didn't need to use. You find a muscle that you didn't know you had. You place your mind in the right way. Suddenly there's a relationship established between you and you. Suddenly, that which is conscious starts to feel natural, starts to give form, shape, flows of energy, and patterning, to that which is unknown in you. There starts to be a bridge, a communication between your conscious and the unconscious, between your right now intentional patterning and all the patterning you don't even know you have. You start to give all of that energy new form.
So, first there is awkwardness, then the posture begins to be natural, and then you start creating form. If you hold the form long enough, the unconscious picks it up and says, "Oh, I can do that." The unconscious does what is usually does: it starts replicating and repeating it, even without thinking about it. First you create the form, then you start transforming all the things you're not even aware of.
Kundalini Yoga 2002 Teacher Training Pilot Manuel
Yogi Bhajan
By Laci Chiodo, May 05, 2009
I have taken both yoga and pilates and enjoyed both. I then took a class that combined the two and I loved it. I really liked the combination of yoga poses and core work. I suggest taking a separate yoga class and pilates class to learn the basics of both and then try a combination of the two to see how you like it.
By Wes L, May 11, 2009
Yoga is that which helps uncover more of who we really are and less of who we are really not.....
By Dorothy W, Jun 03, 2009
I was told years ago that the physical practice of yoga developed separately from the religion which eventually adopted the practice for meditation. As such, the teacher - who studied the discipline for a master's degree in physical education - taught stictly from the point of view of that original intention of the excercises and with no reference at all to a religious discipline. She was emphatic about this. Lately, I suggested to a colleague of mind that I wanted to take a course in yoga and he said one must be a member of that Indian religion to do yoga... i.e., that it is a sacred practice... If so I will stick to Pilates, which I love.
By Connie H, Jun 20, 2009
I have a wonderful teacher at Hambrock Holistic Center that teaches Yoga, Pilates, and Fusion classes. She does a great Modified class for those of us who aren't as fit as we would like to be, as well as compensating for weaknesses and injuries. Carolyn McCrane teaches small and individualized classes primarily to those of us over forty.
The are many Yoga poses that I have trouble with and many of the Pilates moves are more than I have the stamina for, so the fusion of the two allows me to strengthen my core and relax my ligaments. The class has allowed me to feel successful and now I can handle more of both the yoga and pilates movements.
By Amy E, Jul 02, 2009
I am glad I finally have an idea of what the difference is now. It seems like one of the big things is Yoga is spiritually based.
By Sharon B, Jul 02, 2009
This clarification was a big help. Since I'm interested only in supplementing my daily workout with additional stretches and muscle toning, I'll have to find out more about Pilates -- very basic Yoga poses have been part of my workout for about a year now.
By Vicki C, Jul 20, 2009
I sometimes teach a pilates mat class and incorporate yoga positions. The sun salutations are a great way to prepare the body for the pilates session, stretching and releasing the spine and centering the mind. I love the purity of true classic pilates, so I remain true to the progression of the work, but will end the addominal, full body or back extension sessions with some yoga movements to hold a stretch and bring the mind and body back into focus.
By Silvie H, Aug 04, 2009
MISTAKE!
Yoga practitioners do NOT push their bodies to the limit. That's a sure way to get injured. They bring the position to the 1st edge of resistance and stay there. A limit is far beyond that.
They do not assume difficult postures. They do postures that are within their abilities and once they get stronger and more flexible they move on to the next level which may seem difficult to a lay eye but it is easily accessible to the experienced yogi.
Please NO pushing and difficult postures. That is what yoga is NOT about!!!!
By Mind Your Body M, Aug 12, 2009
It is interesting that this question keeps popping up and I recently wrote a bit about it on my blog. I stated that Pilates positions are Yoga-like and holding the positions can be strengthening but in Pilates, we gain strength to move through those positions with control and fluidity. I also mentioned Yoga is a spiritual practice first, Pilates is Mind/Body but a strengthening practice, first.
I enjoyed reading Alycea's comments. Gail Giovannniello, Mind Your Body
By Anita S, Aug 21, 2009
It becomes very clear how very different the philosophies and exercises are for yoga and pilates. While there are some positions that they share, they are done for completely different reasons.
Yoga is to balance the mind, body and spirit and to ultimately get you to focus in the present in preparation to meditate.
Pilates was developed to get a strong gymnast body and it's goal is to strengthen the core and create lean and strong muscles.
Unfortunately for me, I can't do yoga classes anymore due to a wrist problem. But I can do pilates and I really enjoy both for different reasons. Yoga makes me feel balanced and at peace after the session. And pilates gives me a great strengthening workout.
By Deebah D, Aug 22, 2009
I recommend taking pilates and yoga solely first to fully understand the distinction and benefits of both. Once you have been acquainted with both pilates and yoga then a "fusion" class is a great way to get the benefits of both especially for those of us who have a busy schedule. I am a belly dance instructor and enjoy fusing both belly dance fitness with pilates. Think of it as mind/body cross training ;).