Health

Friday, August 5, 2011

Yoga or Pilates – Which One Should You Practice?

Yoga and Pilates are two excellent styles of exercise but many people get confused between the two of them. Most people think that one can easily substitute one exercise for the other and get the same results which are strength and flexibility. However, this is definitely not the case. There are certain fundamental differences in how these exercises are done and this gives a practitioner very different results.

Yoga is a very ancient form of exercise that originated in India over 5000 years ago. It is very different from other forms of exercise because it incorporates a spiritual element and not just a physical and mental element. This form of exercise usually involves a lot of meditation and deep breathing exercises, having a holistic approach to health and fitness. Pilates does not have the pedigree of this exercise, having been created in the early part of the 20th century by a German athlete called Joseph Pilates. It does involve a lot of bending and stretching but there is nothing spiritual about it. It is also very structured whereas Yogic studios tend to be very easy going. Teachers of this particular exercise can combine different positions into many different routines in order to suit the convenience of students. Of course, the Bikram style of Yogic practice is an exception since it is very strict and sticks to a particular routine.

A Pilates routine differs from a Yogic routine in that it offers the most comprehensive body workout possible. It is more successful than Yogic positions when it comes to strengthening the core of the body. It is also better when it comes to strengthening the spine. Yogic routines do not focus on any body part because they are more concerned with creating balance and harmony in the body.

Pilates routines involve a lot of mat work but the most effective routines require the involvement of machines. Traditional Yoga routines, on the other hand, do not involve any machines at all. There are a few modern variations of this exercise, the Iyengar style in particular, that involve the use of machines but this is not really the authentic style. Even the breathing styles that both exercises employ are different. People who practice Pilates have to use their nose to inhale and their mouth to exhale whereas Yogic breathing is done only through the nose.

Pilates is the better choice if you are looking for extremely well-toned muscles with a bit of flexibility thrown in. However, you should consider taking up Yoga instead if you are looking for flexibility with a little bit of toning as well. This is also a great way to reduce stress although it will not tone your body to the extent that Pilates can. Pilates is also quite expensive and people on a tight budget tend to avoid it. It would be best that you gave both styles of exercise a try so that you understand which one works best for you and helps you achieve your fitness goals.

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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Selecting a Yoga Teacher – Helpful Tips

You can be sure that you are on the path to good health and fitness once you start practicing the ancient Indian exercise called Yoga. This particular style of exercise is getting popular all over the world because it is provides people with a very good way of keeping healthy without putting their body through any stress. Selecting a good teacher is a difficult task especially since there are so many studios you could choose from.

One of the first things that you have to understand about this particular type of exercise is that there are many different styles you could choose from. These styles are all very different from each other and they provide you with very different benefits. You need to find out exactly how each system works so that you can figure out which one works best for your body type and fitness requirement. This should therefore be the first criterion based upon which you can select your instructor.

The instructor you select should have breadth as well as depth of knowledge about this form of exercise. This will be necessary in case there is a certain physical limitation that prevents you from doing certain positions called asanas. You might have to talk to quite a few Yoga teachers before you find one who is competent enough to give you the training you require. The best teachers will have certification from institutes that offer training in this field.

It is not always sufficient for a person to know a lot about a subject to be a good teacher of it. The person also needs to have excellent communication abilities so that he or she can impart knowledge to you in the best manner possible. Make sure that you check that your prospective instructor has what it takes to be a good teacher.

The teacher you select should also have a good studio. You don't necessarily need to use a fancy studio that has been done up with a lot of expense. However, it does help to have a clean and serene studio to exercise in. Make sure that you get a tour of the facilities before you sign up to join any place. You should also check whether you are comfortable the class size. Lots of students usually means the teacher is very good but it can also mean that the classes are cheap. If you are lucky you will find a teacher who is passionate about his or her job and offers attractively cheap classes that are not too crowded.

You could use the internet in order to find a good Yoga teacher in your city. You can also use it to do a background check on all the people you have shortlisted. Price is also an important criterion, especially if you are going to exercise a lot. Choose your teacher with a lot of care because this decision will determine how good your initial experiences are and also how much you will benefit from it in the long run.