Pilates on Fifth will help you understand ‘What is Pilates?’, the differences between Pilates and yoga, and the secret of Pilates exercises

Ten years ago, after falling in love with Pilates exercises and opening our New York Pilates studio, we were constantly asked, “What is Pilates?”, or “are Pilates and yoga the same thing?” The popularity of Pilates exercises has grown exponentially since then and many seem to know that there is a difference between Pilates and yoga! So before we talk about the differences between the two, let’s answer the question “what is Pilates?”

Pilates is a system of exercises developed by a German man named Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. Originally designed as a rehabilitative practice on an exercise mat and specialized equipment, Pilates exercises (as they are now known) target the deep muscles of the abdomen and spine to strengthen the body from the inside out in proper alignment. The goal is to achieve a balance of strength and flexibility, a balance of opposing muscle groups and better balance in the body when moving through all of life’s activities. But the answer to the question “what is Pilates” would not be complete without discussing gravity, or the lack thereof, really! Joseph Pilates, years ahead of his time, knew that gravity pulls our bodies out of alignment, distorting joint relationships and causing some muscles to bear greater loads and others to under perform. By working without gravity, alignment can be improved and faulty movement habits corrected so that the body learns the right way to perform movement and the right muscle to use.

So how are Pilates and Yoga different? Well, both systems have been categorized as mind-body fitness programs and both systems focus on the breath more specifically than other exercise methods. Beyond that, Pilates and Yoga are very different! The two systems were designed with different goals, and while practitioners will see increased strength and flexibility with both, each person needs to decide which is best for him/herself. As for the two of us, we enjoy both Pilates and Yoga, but obviously, lean a little more towards Pilates since we now have New York City’s largest Pilates studio!

Enjoy a Pilates workout with a Pilates DVD or on the Pilates reformer

The Pilates workout as an effective form of exercise gained popularity in the ‘90’s, and the Pilates DVD boom in the early 2000’s solidified Pilates place in mainstream fitness. But many still don’t know that the specialized equipment – like the Pilates reformer – provides both support for the body and assistance for proper execution. For many, performing a Pilates workout on a Pilates reformer can help correct muscle imbalances and improve alignment more quickly than the mat exercises alone. So even if you love doing your Pilates workout at home with your favorite Pilates DVD, consider supplementing your mat work with a Pilates reformer workout at a fully equipped studio.

Joseph Pilates invented the Pilates Reformer and other Pilates equipment to aid in injury rehabilitation, as the equipment allows for exercises to be performed without gravity. Performing mat exercises delivers an excellent Pilates workout; however, the Pilates mat repertoire is arguably the most challenging of all Pilates repertoire – on all equipment! The Pilates reformer, for example, provides support that the Pilates mat work cannot. This allows someone who is starting Pilates to perform exercises properly and safely and thus reap more benefits. Because Pilates mat work alone is very challenging, many Pilates beginners who start their practice with a Pilates DVD find the DVD ineffective because they lack either understanding of the technique or the strength required to perform the exercise properly. With the exception of a few, almost every Pilates DVD on the market is well instructed and well designed, but because the Pilates mat work itself is challenging, many fail to see results.

If this sounds familiar, please, come visit Pilates on Fifth! We have Pilates reformer classes in addition to mat classes. Our dedicated team of compassionate instructors will help you augment your home Pilates practice, so that you may get more out of your favorite Pilates DVD and more out of your Pilates workout.