If you haven’t tried yoga with Tahl Rinsky or joined Pilates instructor Sylvia for a class before – guys, we’re looking at you – you really don’t know what you're missing. Both yoga and Pilates will challenge you in new ways, uncovering muscles you didn’t know you had.
Want a power boost for your posterior chain so you can lift heavier weights? Look no further than Pilates. Need to improve your range of motion for more free-flowing HIIT workouts? Yoga is a big yes.
Mobility, flexibility and agility are at the top of the list of benefits, but there’s a whole lot more to both yoga and Pilates than that. Let’s explore.
Yoga: find your centre and improve your mobility
The yoga many of us practice today comes in many different forms and styles, all evolved from an ancient spiritual practice that originated in India.
Tahl instructs a dynamic style called Vinyasa. Vinyasa flows engage your body to deliver a genuine cardio workout. It’s also a more creative style, so you won’t just be repeating the same static moves. And because it’s dynamic, you’ll get a whole range of benefits – like targeted toning and strengthening, lean muscle definition, calorie burn, and improved flexibility.
Yoga with Centr is a genuine anytime, anywhere workout – no equipment required.
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Pilates: improve muscular strength and control
The Pilates method was founded 100 years ago by Joseph Pilates – a German with a background in boxing, muscle building, and martial arts who helped his fellow internees rehabilitate and stay healthy during WWI.
The low-impact movements of Pilates are designed to develop muscle control and strength and improve endurance. It’s used by athletes across all disciplines (including pro footballers, basketballers, and tennis players) to improve strength, flexibility, and balance.
While it can be practiced in a studio with machines and equipment, all of Sylvia’s Pilates workouts on Centr feature bodyweight movements that can be done on a mat at home.
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Which one should I do?
So it’s clear that Pilates and yoga offer both unique and complementary benefits. In fact, we have a whole program dedicated to combining the powers of yoga and Pilates – Centr Align will help you progressively build strength and tone while aligning body and mind.
But if you’re looking for a single modality to add to your routine, find the description that fits you in this list to get started.
You need to work on core strength
Whether you have a sore back from sitting at your desk all day, need more power in your golf swing or want to carve out a six-pack, nothing brings the burn to strengthen your core like Pilates.
You do high-impact exercise
Activities that involve a lot of running and jumping, like basketball or Plyo workouts with Bobby, can be tough on your back and spine. Yoga poses such as downward dog are the perfect way to decompress.
You’re a runner
Practicing yoga barefoot strengthens foot muscles that support your running, and will help protect your ankles from strains and sprains.
You have hypermobility
When you have too much mobility in your joints, Pilates can strengthen muscles to increase stability and control.
You carry a lot of stress and tension
Yoga flows not only help to release tight muscles, they also incorporate mindfulness to manage anxiety, improve mental clarity and provide calm.
You have weak spots
If you consistently play one sport or do one style of training, your strength is likely to be imbalanced. Pilates is great for weeding out weak spots and engaging neglected muscles (like your glutes), to bring them up to speed.
You’re looking for a new kind of active recovery
Stretching with yoga reduces muscle inflammation and aids in recovery, while at the same time strengthening your muscles to get you into tip-top shape for your next tough workout.
Your breathing needs work
Learning to control your breathing through your training will boost endurance and help you perform at your best. Breathing is incorporated into each Pilates movement to facilitate muscle activation and release. This will aid stress release, too.
You play sports
Both yoga and Pilates will improve your balance and full-body awareness, helping you move through a full range of motion with more efficiency.
Think you might get something from both styles of training? So do we! Our yoga and Pilates program Centr Align is designed to deliver the benefits of both exercise styles while helping you to gain strength, confidence and tone.
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