You can hardly turn on the TV nowadays without hearing someone talk about Yoga or Pilates. Articles fill the pages of websites and magazines and it seems “everyone who’s anyone” is doing one or the other (I’m a huge yoga fan!). Why all the excitement?
Doing Yoga and Pilates will not only increase strength and flexibility, but help relieve stress and improve overall wellbeing. Your metabolism will get a boost too because both help build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even while at rest. We love that!
While Yoga and Pilates have a lot of similarities, there are some big differences to note. Yoga, an ancient Hindu philosophy, combines a series of postures, breathing exercises and meditation to help the mind and body achieve harmony. Many people use Yoga for toning, strengthening, flexibility and relaxation. There are many variations and types of Yoga and all have been shown to promote health, longevity and a heightened level of self-awareness. To learn more visit Yoga Journal or My Yoga Online
Pilates, originally created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920’s to help strengthen muscles during rehabilitation, is a series of controlled movements and breathing techniques that aim to develop flexibility, strength and balance without adding muscle bulk. Pilates helps to sculpt the body and strengthen the "core" (torso) while increasing circulation, alignment and focus. Most people do mat Pilates, which uses your own body weight for resistance, but Pilates can also be performed on a variety of machines to tone and strengthen. To read more about Pilates click here or here. Many gyms offer Yoga and Pilates classes or you can buy videos to practice at home. If your gym has Pilates machines, make sure there's a qualified instructor to teach and supervise you during the exercises. If you don’t know which practice is best for you, I say, try them both! Incorporate the strengthening techniques of Pilates and meditative aspect of Yoga into your daily routine to increase energy, improve health and see the stress of your everyday life begin to diminish. Some tips for Yoga & Pilates practice... Wear comfortable clothes that allows you to move freely. It's best to practice Yoga & Pilates barefoot, using a mat or non-slip surface. The room should be well ventilated and have enough space to extend your arms and legs in all directions. Yoga postures & Pilates exercises should not be done on a full stomach. Listen to your body – if you practice too soon after eating or drinking, certain poses may feel uncomfortable. If you feel weak or shaky in a pose, come out of it. Gradually you will build up your strength and be able to hold the pose longer. Focus on your breath throughout the workout by inhaling and exhaling completely. Breathing awareness not only feels good, but also balances and regulates energy flow within the body.
Be sure to let me know how it goes! - Lauren Labels: Health, Lauren, Mind-Body Connection
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