Most people have heard of Yoga and Pilates – but what is the difference? 

The ancient practice of Yoga originated around 3000BC in India and is a physical, mental and spiritual practice, aiming to achieve harmony in body, mind and spirit. Yoga has many therapeutic properties and is gaining more and more popularity and acceptance in mainstream medicine. Some of its benefits are:

• Improving physical and mental health
• Increasing vitality and energy
• Improving stamina, strength, flexibility and balance
• Strengthening the immune system
• Reducing stress, tension and pain
• Boosting self-confidence and self-awareness
• Delaying the ageing process
• Creating inner peace, harmony and mental clarity

You will leave a Yoga class feeling rejuvenated, more flexible, calmer and with a clearer mind.

Pilates on the other hand is a physical fitness and body conditioning system and was developed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s in the United States. Pilates assists in gaining strength and endurance, toning the whole body and creating a streamlined physique. It is especially known for its focus on building stability in the core postural muscles of the body and is a great practice for gaining good postural alignment. After a Pilates session, you will feel taller, leaner and stronger.

In recent years, many hybrid classes, fusing Yoga and Pilates, have been springing up everywhere. These fusion classes have names like Core Yoga, Yogalates, Yogilates, PiYo and Piloga.

If you are after the whole package of benefits gained from Yoga and Pilates, or you can’t decide on either Yoga or Pilates, or you would like to do both but just don’t have enough time for both – then the Yoga-Pilates fusion classes may be for you. You will experience the therapeutical and calming benefits of Yoga, while at the same time conditioning all of the major muscle groups, developing core stability and a lean figure.

All of the above mentioned exercise systems will aid in reducing stress and will make you feel happier & healthier and create a more positive outlook on life.

About Jacqueline: Jacqueline Brandes is a certified instructor in Solomon Yogalates™, traditional Iyengar Yoga as well as Sports Nutrition and Weight Management. She combines these practices and techniques to create a truly well-rounded and unique fitness & wellbeing program including specialist information/workouts for anxiety/stress, neck & shoulder issues, core stability, back, hips & pelvic stability. Jacqueline recently launched her new website jbyogafit.com which is a portal for Online Yoga, Pilates & Yogalates workouts as well as information, tips, recipes and much more.