By : Angus Macnab

Yoga and Pilates are becoming increasingly popular as a main stream form of exercise. The questions that have to be asked are: “What is the difference between the two, how will they benefit a sufferer of back pain and where do you go to take part in such activities?”

What is Yoga? Yoga is well regarded by people across the world as an opportunity to take time out from their busy schedule, taking a holistic approach to the body and mind, providing the “tools” to cope with hectic day to day life. Developed 5000 years ago in India, many people are drawn to Yoga for simple health and fitness, or if they are seeking relief from a particular medical condition, whether it be stress related or a physical condition brought on by over exertion. It focuses on breathing exercises, maintenance of correct posture and meditation.

What is Pilates? Pilates is a form of exercise developed by Josef Pilates in the early 1900’s in New York. It involves low impact, low intensity exercises which encourage the mind to take control of the muscles, putting the body through a series of controlled movements, guiding the body into better postural habits and strengthening the spinal column. Joseph Pilates’ belief was that “physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness”.

What is the difference? The main difference between the two is that Yogic movements are much more static than the fluid movements involved in Pilates. The poses learned in Yoga enhance body awareness, with all movements working on both sides of the body at the same time, ensuring that stress is not put on the sacroiliac joint by putting more stress on one side than the other. This allows for a slow build up of muscle density through gradually increasing levels of exercise, developing suppleness, being particularly beneficial to those who suffer from severe back pain. Pilates is more focussed on improving the body’s alignment by increasing length, flexibility and tone of muscle. It involves a series of daily exercises that aim to develop core muscles within the body and deep breathing exercises which encourage blood flow through the body, increasing the rate of repair of damaged muscles or ligaments, being more beneficial to sufferers of degenerative disc disorders and joint complaints.

Where to find a suitable class: visit www.fitnessvenues.com: select a class type and enter the area postcode. If you have a back complaint, before taking part in any of these forms of exercise it is advisable to seek advice from your GP who may recommend that one is more suitable than the other.