Many chiropractic patients wonder which is best: Yoga or Pilates? It depends on the individual and their personal needs. Both yoga and Pilates work in supporting your body, mainly the muscular system. 

The muscles of the abdomen, the back and the buttocks all support the spine. These are the core muscles. If these core muscles are weak, they often contribute to the root of back pain, especially lower back pain. 

Shortened muscles can throw the spine out of alignment and cause back pain. Stretching exercises lengthen shortened muscles and help to relieve back pain. Tight back muscles, tight buttock muscles, and even tight hamstrings (back of thigh muscles) or quadriceps (front of thigh muscles) can affect the alignment of the spine.  

Flexible and strong muscles help maintain proper posture and prevent back strains and sprains. Yoga is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit; and is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body’s posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even amid a stressful environment. Your own body’s weight is used for resistance from one posture into another. There are several different yoga styles. It boils down to personal preference and individual needs.  

Pilates is aimed at reaching similar goals with a series of controlled movements. The major difference is that the Pilates technique has a full complement of mat work, as well as incorporating work on the Pilates machines. The emphasis of the exercises is to strengthen the abdominals, improve posture, stabilise and lengthen the spine, improve balance and overall strength. 

Pilates works the whole body, emphasising control precision and concentration in both the mind and the body. The focus is on quality not quantity, so movements are not performed rapidly or repeated excessively. The abdominal muscles, lower back and buttocks serve as the centre of all movement allowing the rest of the body to move freely. This focus on core stabilisation makes one stronger from the inside out and is critical for advancement. The low impact nature of Pilates makes it ideal for injury prevention and rehabilitation. The balance between strength and flexibility creates a healthy, vigorous and symmetrical workout for all muscle groups resulting in a leaner, more balanced, and stronger body. 

Are you still left with question of which of those two fitness techniques is right for you? 

Here’s an answer for you: Do them both! You don’t necessarily have to choose. The nature of the techniques makes it easy for them to complement each other. Get the stretch from yoga and keep it from Pilates. Strengthen your abdominals and watch your poses improve. Join the breathing techniques of Pilates and meditative aspect of yoga into your daily routine and see the stress of your everyday life begin to dissipate. Both techniques are time-proven and established, and with the help of an experienced instructor, you will surely reach the goals you set up for yourself! 

If you are curious as to which exercises would benefit your best and want to discuss treatment with your chiropractor, book online @ https://www.centenarychiro.com.au/ or call us today on 07 3381 0440