Let's talk Pilates...
“But I am a yogi at heart...” “I’ve tried Pilates before and it was boring..” “Pilates is too hard...” “Pilates hurts your neck...”
I have heard all of this and more when I talk passionately about Pilates. But I get it! I am a yogi at heart too and Pilates came along for me way after yoga and for a long time was not even a close second. But then something clicked and I realised that yoga and Pilates do not have to be two separate practices. Yoga and Pilates complement each other and can work together to help strengthen your core, lengthen your body and improve your alignment.
Pilates not only strengthens your core, but teaches you how to consciously tap into your core muscles when you need them the most in yoga. For example Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon) goes from being a pose of balancing precariously with one hand on the floor to being a pose of a greater stability and strength. Now being able to open the chest, lengthen the spine and your deep awareness of the core means you can glide in and out of the pose easily; a centre of gravity that you never knew existed.
I am of course not alone in realising that Pilates and yoga can work well together. Pilates is an over 80 year old system of body conditioning designed by Joseph Pilates and interestingly Mr Pilates derived much of his study and technique from Eastern philosophy which also includes yoga!
The differences with yoga and Pilates are that whilst yogis may be instructed to hold poses or flow from one pose to the next (depending on the style of the class), Pilates is more of a rhythmic practice of precise movements, focusing on stability from the core, working deeper and isolating different muscle groups. Pilates can help yogis build that stable centre that is required for many yoga asanas (poses), meaning you become stronger in your yoga practice and can avoid and prevent injury. Many arm balances and inversions in yoga also require a strong and stable centre too. Therefore Pilates could literally send your yoga practice flying and turn it upside down!
Finally Pilates is not boring, and if you think about Pilates as being able to enhance your yoga practice then how can it be? Pilates definitely does not hurt your neck when being done correctly. That’s why it’s important to find a class with a knowledgeable, friendly and approachable teacher to discuss these concerns and to chat about technique. Lastly, Pilates doesn’t have to be too hard. As above, I am a yogi at heart, and I am passionate about yoga and Pilates being available to all regardless of your ability and that it should be fun and enjoyable. If it feels too hard at any point then take a pause in the class and join back in when you are ready. My Pilates classes, just as with yoga, are judgement free and are a safe and supportive space for all body shapes and sizes.
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