The seven principles of Pilates are: concentration, control, centring breath, flow, precision, and alignment. If that sounds a lot like yoga, you’re not wrong. So, you’re wondering about Pilates vs. yoga: What’s the difference, really? Pilates and yoga are two types of exercise that can benefit almost everyone. Although many people consider them similar, they have important differences. But either one can be a positive force for your health. These are low-impact workouts which are also equally popular for cross-training and boast impressive mind-body benefits. It’s no surprise that they’re long-time favourites of anyone looking to sculpt their body, build strength, and find some zen in the process.

To understand the difference between yoga and Pilates, it’s helpful to go back to their origins. Pilates was created in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates. While Pilates classes are now a form of exercise for the masses, it was developed during World War I as rehabilitation for wounded soldiers. When Joseph Pilates came to New York City from Germany in 1929, he shared an address with the New York City Ballet and began working with their dancers—and many ballerinas still swear by his exercises for injury prevention today.

However, there are some key differences between yoga and Pilates—namely, that yoga is a spiritual practice dating back thousands of years. And depending on your goals, you may find one better suited for you when it comes to your well-being. The good news? There are so many different classes out there now—both in person and on just about every paid and free workout app these days—that makes them more accessible than ever, even if you never step foot in a studio. Yoga is more of a full-body, balanced workout with a lot more standing posture. In Pilates, it’s really about that Powerhouse. Your limbs are involved, but they’re really there to lend strength and stability to that central core.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in India. As a fitness strategy, it blends physical poses with breathing techniques. Because it has some elements of mindfulness, yoga is sometimes called meditative movement. It is popular in the United States. About 94% of those who do yoga say they do it to improve their overall wellness.

What Is Pilates?

Both Pilates and yoga are low-impact exercises, but there is one important difference. When practicing yoga, you typically adopt a position and hold it, or flow into a different position. In Pilates, you adopt a position and then challenge your core by moving your arms or legs. Both approaches increase strength and flexibility.

Pilates moves require stabilizing your core before going through a series of range-of-motion exercises. Although some Pilates studios use specially designed machines, you can also do Pilates on a mat without special equipment.

What are some benefits of Yoga

It can:

Eases stress and stress-related illnesses, such as tension headaches

Ease some symptoms of menopause

Ease low-back pain and neck pain

Enhance sleep

Ease the pain of knee osteoarthritis

Improve balance

What are some benefits of Pilates

It can:

Increase core strength to improve stability

 Improve posture

 Increase flexibility

 Ease lower back pain

Which Should You Do?

It is difficult to say whether Pilates or yoga is better suited for you. If you want to increase your strength and flexibility, Pilates might be the better choice. If you want to improve your overall wellness, you might choose yoga. Still, much depends upon the classes available to you and the skills and qualifications of the instructors.

If you’re really trying to decide, Pilates vs. yoga? Between the two, if you’re looking to strengthen your core, improve your posture, and your overall fitness level and strength, go for Pilates. If you’re looking to increase your flexibility, find more peace of mind and that mind-body connection, go with yoga.

While there are a ton of variations of both that incorporate weights and even machines, they each can be done with just a mat (and if you choose, a few props). They are also both low-impact workouts, meaning that unless you go to a hybrid class incorporating cardio, you won’t be doing any jumping or anything too hard on the joints. In other words, they’re great for all ages.