[written by Loan Cao]
When it comes to low impact and mind-body fitness, two practices often come to mind: Pilates and Yoga. Both have evolved over the years, offering different variations and an abundance of physical and mental health benefits. While both focus on building strength, improving flexibility, and enhancing overall quality of life, each comes with its own style, benefits, and purposes.
Pilates:
Revolves around core stabilization that takes you through a series of dynamic movements involving both upper and lower extremities.
This practice is particularly effective at strengthening your body’s smaller, deep stabilizing muscles (local muscles) that are crucial for balance, postural support, and flexibility, while also reducing back pain and the risk of injury. Through intentional movements and controlled breathwork, the deep core muscles become engaged, also activating muscles of the lower back, hips, glutes (global muscles).
Many moves can be performed on a mat, but pilates also uses unique equipment, like the reformer, to apply additional resistance and to challenge stability and strength.
Yoga:
Involves elements of mindfulness that focuses on flowing sequences (Vinyasa) or holding postures (Hatha or Yin). This meditative practice harmonizes physical postures and stretches with breathing techniques.
Many styles of yoga are available, and while it is often envisioned as slow and gentle, it can also be athletic and vigorous. It emphasizes flexibility, balance, and controlled breathing that help calm the nervous system.
At Tandem, we offer Pilates in a rehabilitation setting to restore movement patterns and to enhance functional movements to get you back up and doing the things you love. We focus on breaking bad habits of doing harmful movements in order to establish a more efficient and healthy way to do everyday activities.
We encourage our patients to integrate pilates into their weekly routine to maintain the strength and confidence that they’ve built. Beginners will likely benefit from attending pilates 2-3 times per week to allow muscle adaptation and recovery. Since it’s resistance-based and more physically demanding, your body benefits from a rest day between workouts. Intermediate and advanced individuals can go up to 3-4 times per week for strength and posture movements.
If Pilates is something that peaks your interest, consider signing up for one of our small, group classes through the link HERE, or by giving us a call at (504) 407-3477.
