During the past several years, scientists have been studying the benefits that yoga and pilates bring and have studied to see whether yoga or pilates is better for the body. Scientists say that neither yoga nor pilates provide much cardio benefit. Power yoga or an advanced pilates class provides a little more cardio workout. Power yoga "gives the heart the same aerobic workout as a brisk stroll"(Barr). Taking a yoga class burns about 145 calories, while taking a pilates class burns about 175 calories. Experts recommend doing a high-intense activity with yoga if one is trying to lose weight. If someone wants to lose weight by doing pilates, experts recommend doing a fourty-five to sixty minute advanced routine at least four days a week to maintain or lose weight. Recently, there was a study on participants who took yoga three times a week for eight weeks. The participants boosted their body flexibility by twenty-four percent. The participants could do an average of six more push-ups and fourteen more curl-ups. While yoga is good for flexibility, pilates is better at strengthening the abdominal muscles. Pilates is good for flexibility in the back, hips, and hamstrings. Yoga is great for bringing inner peace to the body. Yoga can decrease the intensity and frequency of hot flashes by thirty percent, erase arthritis, and releive back pain better than any other exercise. Pilates is beneficial for back and abdominal strength, increased flexibility, and can help improve posture.
From learning this, I think I would pick pilates over yoga. I really think that it just depends on what a person wants to improve with their body though, when trying to decide between yoga and pilates. I think that pilates would be more beneficial than yoga to a person trying to lose weight. Pilates is said to give the appearance of a taller, leaner, body. If someone was trying to increase flexibility, I believe that yoga would be way more beneficial. I have been a cheerleader for many years and cheerleaders need to be very flexible. I have taken yoga before to help me become more flexible for cheerleading, and it has helped me alot over the years. I really do think that yoga and pilates both can have great benefits on the body though.
Barr, Naomi. "Yoga vs. Pilates ." Oprah Magazine May 2007: Web. 26 Mar 2010. http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Is-Yoga-or-Pilates-Better-for-You
