| As a Yoga teacher, and a Pilates instructor, it is very | | | | toward health, but for some students, japa |
| noticeable that Pilates and Yoga reach two distinctly | | | | (repetition of mantras), or meditation, may feel very |
| different groups of people. The typical Pilates student | | | | uncomfortable. |
| does not want to learn about meditation, Pranayama, | | | | Let's look at this situation closely. Some people feel |
| Sanskrit, bandhas, mudras, or doshas. In the mind of | | | | uncomfortable because japa is commonly practiced in |
| a Pilates enthusiast, all of these Yogic aspects are | | | | Sanskrit, and they do not comprehend the words. |
| considered secondary to the physical "workout." | | | | Swami Sivananda said, "Repetition of any Mantra or |
| In a Pilates mat class, the emphasis is on precise | | | | Name of the Lord is known as Japa. Japa is an |
| movement, to gain maximum benefits and results, | | | | important Anga of Yoga. It is a spiritual food for the |
| for physical appearance. Although Yoga and Pilates | | | | hungry soul." |
| are often categorized as mind and body exercise, | | | | Japa is a spiritual aspect of Hatha Yoga. Japa is |
| Pilates' focus is much more about the physical body | | | | commonly practiced in Bhakti Yoga, which is deeply |
| than Hatha Yoga's holistic approach to overall health. | | | | spiritual and the most popular form of Yoga in India. |
| Hatha Yoga, which is union through physical mastery, | | | | Some Yoga students would rather not sing, chant, or |
| is a complete health maintenance system for mind, | | | | pray out loud. Some people do not trust anything or |
| body, and spirit. Pilates is an "off shoot" of Hatha | | | | anyone who is spiritual. Unfortunately, there have |
| Yoga, but it is a unique, complex, and extremely | | | | been a number of holy men who have violated the |
| complete "exercise system." | | | | public's trust. |
| Therefore, most forms of Hatha Yoga are not simply | | | | In the United States, anything spiritual has become |
| exercise classes. A complete health maintenance | | | | "politically incorrect." There is a movement to take, |
| system, such as Hatha Yoga, took thousands of | | | | "In God we Trust" off US currency. The irony of this |
| years to develop and evolve. The Pilates method is | | | | is, a few loud voices have caused the public to be |
| close to a century old, but it has already started to | | | | hesitant about anything that could be considered |
| evolve in its own different directions. | | | | remotely religious. |
| So, which is better Yoga or Pilates? Neither - The | | | | Hence, the Pilates instructor only has to focus on |
| truth is, the student makes an individual choice, based | | | | precise physical techniques and making sure students |
| upon his or her specific needs. Many Yoga students | | | | experience the physical health benefits of the Pilates |
| enjoy the holistic approach, which Yoga takes | | | | Method. |