Yoga & Pilates

Yoga and Pilates have a lot in common, but also have different qualities. Both are about getting to know your body better, moving with greater awareness and creating more balance in a busy everyday life. Yoga also has a clear focus on breathing, mindfulness and mental calm, whilst Pilates focuses more on strength, stability and body control.

You don’t need to be flexible, strong or experienced to get started. The most important thing is to meet your body where it is.

Yoga

Yoga is about meeting yourself where you are, with acceptance and tolerance. It is about concentration and focus, and about taking control of your own mental and physical life so that your senses and mental activity can become more at peace.

The aim of the physical yoga exercises, known as asanas, and the breathing techniques, known as pranayama, is traditionally to prepare the body for meditation and a state of greater stillness.

In our practice, we practise being present in the here and now, with mindful awareness. We shift our attention away from our minds and thoughts and down into our bodies. We learn to listen to our body’s signals, take the necessary care and simply be more present in life and within ourselves.

We learn to breathe, de-stress and accept things as they are.

Yoga is not about getting into an advanced pose or touching the floor with your hands. It is at least as much about what we experience along the way, and how we respond to whatever arises. Flexibility is therefore just as much about the mind as it is about the body.

We can carry this awareness with us into our everyday lives. Yoga provides space for both self-care and time for ourselves, and can help us achieve a better balance between body and mind.

And perhaps the best thing of all is how you feel afterwards. Practising yoga simply makes you happy.

Pilates

Pilates is a form of strength training developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century, with a focus on stability, body control and precise movements.

The exercises are performed calmly and in a controlled manner, but can be highly effective at the same time. The movements follow the breath, and the focus is on both lengthening and strengthening the muscles. There is a particular focus on the core muscles and the deep stabilising muscles, which contribute to stability and a stronger, more balanced body.

Our bodies are designed for movement, but many of us spend a lot of time sitting and move in a relatively one-sided way throughout the day. Over time, this can have an impact on our posture, mobility and muscles.

In Pilates, we work on strengthening the areas that need more strength, improving mobility where the body is stiff, and developing greater control over how we move.

Regular Pilates can help you achieve a stronger and more flexible body, better posture, improved balance and more conscious breathing. Many people also find they have better body control, more energy and stronger core muscles.

Yoga or Pilates?

It doesn’t have to be one or the other.

Yoga is ideal for those who are looking for a combination of movement, breathing, flexibility, mindfulness and calm. Pilates is ideal for those who want to work in a more targeted way on strength, stability, posture and body control.

Many people find that the two forms of exercise complement each other very well. The strength and control gained from Pilates can be valuable in a yoga practice, whilst the flexibility, breathing and calmness of yoga can be a good complement to Pilates.

The most important thing is to find a form of exercise that you enjoy and that’s good for both your body and your mind. Perhaps you’ll find it here with us, whether it’s yoga, Pilates or a combination of both.

Not sure what’s right for you?

Please feel free to get in touch, and we’ll help you as best we can :)