Pilates and yoga are both low-impact exercise approaches that focus on body weight resistance. Both workouts can increase overall health, leading to a better quality of life, and both can be done on a mat, but the two modalities quickly diverge in how you practise them and their effects on your body.

Yoga developed in ancient India and typically emphasises the spiritual aspects of finding yourself, finding peace or simply feeling calm. Yoga practitioners believe that the mind can heal the body through practice, meditation and devotion to yoga. Classes are typically long, lasting one and a half hours or more, and often involve holding poses for extended periods. Increased flexibility and better balance are among the benefits of yoga, as are longer leaner muscles.

Created in the 1920s, Pilates simultaneously combines correct posture, controlled breathing and resistance-based movements. Unlike yoga’s focus on the mind, Pilates is about the body healing the body through functional exercise and correct posture to create a 'powerhouse body'. People often say that Pilates works your 'core', and associate their core only with their abdominals, but your core is actually made up of the abdominal muscles, lower back muscles, pelvic floor muscles, glutes and muscles encircling the hips. All Pilates exercises begin with these muscles, resulting in a strong torso which provides stability to the entire body. The strong abdominal and back muscles built through Pilates help alleviate back pain and prevent injury. Typically, Pilates classes are shorter and more intense than yoga classes – at Suna our classes are 45 minutes long and you can expect to work up a good sweat.

Whether yoga or Pilates is best for you depends on what you are looking for. The main difference between the two is movement. If you seek a more stationary experience involving a spiritual element with deep stretching and gentle toning that increases flexibility, then yoga is for you. Alternatively, you should consider Pilates if you want movement, strength and a more sculpted body. Moreover, if you are recovering from an injury or want to strengthen and tone your entire body while improving your posture and balance and building functional fitness, then Pilates is the better choice. Pilates is also a good option if you seek a full-body workout in a short period of time.

Yoga is frequently associated with mindfulness and being present, but often the opposite is true. While holding a long yoga pose, it’s easy for your mind to wander to the stresses of your day or the things you need to do after class.

Suna Pilates workouts focus on posture and breathing with every movement. This concentration on posture while coordinating your breath means your brain is fully focused on your body and you are forced to stay in the moment. Pilates breathing done correctly makes you feel less physically and mentally tired and makes your body operate at an optimum level. Because of our focus on breathing, you can expect to leave a Suna Pilates class feeling physically extended but also energised and revitalised.

Every exercise at Suna focuses on the muscles involved in that movement and building that muscle in the correct posture. We lengthen and strengthen each muscle so that our members build beautiful healthy 'Pilates bodies' that will stand the test of time. If this is what you seek, please visit us at Suna.

Improve your health and your life by giving Pilates a go at Suna. You can get started with six classes for just $60, or join us for our Open Day on Saturday 14 September, when we will offer complimentary 45-minute classes beginning at 11.15am, 12.15pm and 1.15pm. No need to RSVP or sign up.

Suna Pilates
1 Barrys Point Road, Takapuna
09 489 1987
info@sunapilates.co.nz
sunapilates.co.nz