Yoga Or Pilates For Back Pain?
Yoga and Pilates have evolved over the years. With many different changes coming in different studios and gyms around the globe, there is something for everyone. Yoga and Pilates are great low-impact, fun workouts that also emphasize using your body weight as resistance. However, not everyone can practice these workouts, as some poses require more flexibility than others. If you’re interested in learning more about this type of workout, and which types of Yoga and Pilates poses are best suited for this style of exercise, then keep reading!
First, a little background information about Yoga. Yoga was developed by Hindu tradition and focuses on achieving a state of mind of inner enlightenment. The term Yoga actually means “to join together” in Sanskrit, and is often used to describe a spiritual practice. It is often practiced as a way to find relaxation and control and is frequently combined with meditation. The purpose of these practices is to combine breathing and movement into a unified system. Most practitioners believe this unified system gives a greater understanding of yourself and enables you to become more aware of your connection with the universe.
In contrast, Pilates is an all-encompassing physical discipline that focuses on core strength, flexible and balanced postures, and deep breathing techniques. These postures are done before yoga or other physical activities and are designed to increase strength, improve flexibility, and build muscle tone. Pilates has been adopted by athletes, as well as yoga enthusiasts, as a way to increase strength and endurance without adding muscle mass. This method of exercise works several areas of the body at once, and results in improved posture, bone density, flexibility, and circulation. In addition, it increases lung capacity and decreases back pain.
Yoga and Pilates share some similarities, particularly the emphasis on breathing and movement. Both are focused on improving strength and flexibility in the limbs, hips, back, shoulders, and spine. However, they have different goals and methods of achieving those goals, with the focus on different postures (shoulderstands, butterfly poses, cobra and reclining poses, etc. ).
Yoga uses poses (asanas) to connect breathing and movement together. It requires controlled breathing, combined with a conscious focus on the breath to fully experience the pose. When doing yoga exercises, it’s important to remember not to focus solely on the workout itself; it is also important to fully stretch and replenish the muscles being used in the workout. Some yoga styles, such as Ashtanga and power yoga, are very demanding on the joints, and if not done correctly can lead to injury.
Pilates is another well-known exercise routine that incorporates controlled breathing and movement into the workout. While yoga sessions typically focus on the breathing and concentration involved in the postures, Pilates exercises usually require some form of movement. Pilates is also popular among women, who find the focus on flexibility beneficial for their over-all health and feel the relaxing effects of the movements to help them relax. For women, especially, flexibility is important because it helps prevent the onset of osteoporosis and other joint problems.
One key point to note about yoga and Pilates is that both focus on deep breathing, but there is more focus on yoga specifically. Many of the yoga poses require holding the breath, which is essential to maintaining good posture and reaching deeper levels of relaxation. The purpose of the postures is to release the tension held in the muscles and joints while allowing the breath to come through, slowly. However, yoga can be done without the use of breaths.
If you think yoga and Pilates poses could benefit your health or back pain, it’s best to work with a certified yoga teacher to determine if this would be a good choice for you. Not every yoga class will be ideal for back pain, so make sure you discuss this with a yoga teacher before you sign up for any class. With the added benefits of flexibility, better posture and improved overall health, adding yoga or Pilates poses to your yoga routine could be just what you need.
I am passionate about yoga and this is my blog. I have been practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaching for 5. Yoga has transformed my life in so many ways and I love being able to share that with others. My hope is that through this blog, I can help people learn more about yoga, connect with other yogis, and find inspiration to live a healthier, happier life.
