UNFOLD YOUR MAT

Trying to decide between yoga and Pilates? Here’s what you need to know

- MAXINE PETERS

KATE Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Gisele Bündchen, Jennifer Aniston – the list of celebs who have sung the praises of both yoga and Pilates is long.

Both forms of exercise have grown in popularity over the years and are touted by fitness enthusiasts as a great way to increase balance, core strength and flexibility. While they’re similar – both are low-impact workouts that incorporate breathwork – there are key differences.

“Pilates is mostly focused on the physical level, while yoga is a system that incorporates mental and spiritual practices like meditation,” says Steven Heyman, instructor and owner of Yoga Works in Johannesburg.

Which of the two is right for you depends on your fitness goals and temperament, but there’s no reason you shouldn’t do both. “I’d recommend doing both Pilates and yoga,” Heyman says.

Yoga

A holistic discipline originating from ancient India that uses breath, movement and meditation to unite mind, body and spirit

The basics

You move through a series of poses (called asanas) and stretches which are combined into a sequence. “All the postures require a mix of strength, flexibility and balance and while holding a pose or doing a sequence, the yoga instructor will generally cue the breath – when to inhale and exhale – to enhance the experience,” Heyman says.