Yoga and Pilates may look alike, but they have different ideas behind how we do them.

Yoga:

• Where it came from: Yoga started in ancient India and connects the body, mind, and spirit.
• What it’s about: Yoga focuses on being aware of yourself, controlling your breath, and finding emotional balance. The goal is to feel good overall. This includes physical poses (called asanas) and spiritual practices like meditation.

Pilates:

• Where it came from: Pilates was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. It takes inspiration from gymnastics, martial arts, and even yoga.
• What it’s about: Pilates is mainly about building core strength, keeping your body aligned, and controlling your muscles. It emphasizes careful movements, focusing on precision and smoothness rather than the spiritual elements found in yoga.

Even though both practices can influence each other, they have different core ideas—yoga’s focus on overall well-being versus Pilates’ emphasis on physical strength. Understanding these differences can really help improve your experience in either practice!