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Dieting & exercise

Yoga or Pilates?

(50 Posts)
LuluBeyond Thu 07-May-15 13:56:35

Which camp do you belong to and why? In particular, has anyone attempted both and if you have, which would you recommend for an active woman in their early 60's?

NanaMacGeek Wed 12-Oct-16 22:44:48

I have been attending Pilates classes for a couple of years. It was recommended to me by a physiotherapist who had been treating me for 'wee' issues among other things too. Our instructor is also a physiotherapist and she continually monitors us while we carry out the exercises, ensuring that we are using the right set of muscles. I've tried yoga a couple of times but am just not flexible enough and I found it hard to buy into the spiritual aspects of yoga. However, carrying out Pilates moves requires concentration and coordination and I find that I can forget my problems during the class. When I first joined the class, I had to complete a health and safety assessment, when it came to the question asking what I wanted out of the class, one of my ambitions was to be able to get back off the floor gracefully! Job done!

gillybob Wed 12-Oct-16 22:55:46

I have been doing Pilates for quite a few years now, although I haven't been to a class for a few weeks due to a bout of ill health and a recent minor op.

Will be back fighting this week though. I do feel the benefit if stretching and bending and with my MS I am conscious of the "use it or lose it" way of thinking. I haven't done yoga so can't compare the two, but find Pilates quite relaxing despite my awkward sense of balance.

Maggiemaybe Wed 12-Oct-16 23:04:58

Yogalates anyone? I have a couple of (cheap from Amazon) Louise Solomon dvds which I work out to 2 or 3 times a week in the privacy of my front room. After a fortnight on holiday without them I feel the rot setting in re suppleness and toning (or lack of!). I'm also a fan of the long walks and chocolate routine.

I used to spend a lot on various classes at our local centre and think they're over-rated. I couldn't afford them now I'm retired anyway, and certainly wouldn't be exercising 3 times a week if it cost me a fiver a go.

NotTooOld Thu 13-Oct-16 16:21:19

Menopaws - perhaps that's why a lot of exercise classes are done to music these days! grin

Roger02 Fri 21-Oct-16 03:43:58

I think that for women over 60 Pilate is better because it helps builds strength in the core muscles especially the legs,abdominal,arms,hips and the back.

M0nica Fri 21-Oct-16 09:12:42

I do pilates because it is just an exercise system and nothing more. I have always had poor balance and it is getting worse with age, I am in my early 70s. As others have said, it strengthens core body strength. It was hard work to begin with but gets easier with practice. I also do a lot of walking and swim regularly, but pilates addresses a specific problem and that is why I do it, its part in contributing to my overall activity level, is by the way.

rupert Sun 22-Jan-17 08:25:33

I do both, and I'm currently training to become a Pilates teacher. It is worth checking out the credentials of Pilates teachers as apparently anyone can set up! If you look for a course that is physio orientated it will be geared to sort out your problems without pain.
I'm over 60 and am moving a lot better.

grandma60 Sun 22-Jan-17 08:50:09

Has anyone tried Tai Chi? There is a class near to me which I am thinking of joining. It used to be yoga but I think they have changed the instructor. I enjoy country walking but I don't have anyone to walk with and am unable to have a dog.

rupert Sun 22-Jan-17 09:15:00

I practice Sun style Tai Chi and love it.

rupert Sun 22-Jan-17 09:34:15

www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFwo_YXMhzM
I'm not sure this will work but here goes...

stevenkotler Fri 29-Dec-17 05:31:24

There is no doubt that Pilates is really helpful and is suitable for every age group and I also agree that most yoga and Pilates studios offer teacher training and certification to increase their profitability but if you do proper research in your area I am sure that you will be able to find good Pilates studio which have experienced trainers because certification is not everything its true experience counts.

sarahmulls21 Mon 04-Mar-19 07:07:23

asdasd

sarahmulls21 Mon 04-Mar-19 07:08:35

When doing pilates for beginners Brisbane you should just take it lightly and carefully. It can be frustrating at times but it will be good in the long run.

Lilypops Thu 07-Mar-19 08:12:57

Menopaws? Your comment about fart and wee issues made me laugh, that's exactly why I am thinking twice about joining a class, I would be so embarrassed if I was the one !!

margaretrodriguez Tue 12-Mar-19 11:16:05

I recommend Pilates. As it is considered good for old age people to correct alignment, build core stability. Also, it is helpful in recovering from injuries.

Bellanonna Tue 12-Mar-19 15:56:31

I posted on this thread three years ago. I’m still doing pilates x2 weekly and still able to do the things I did three years ago. I think it’s brilliant.

margaretrodriguez Mon 18-Mar-19 08:13:57

I personally don't think that age matters in the Fitness but yes, if someone is not able to do physically exercise, then Yoga could be better option which helps to improve life way of living life.

fitnesshealthforever Mon 18-Mar-19 12:04:00

One of the main differences between Yoga and Pilates is that Yoga can be used for improving the flexibility of the body and it will also gradually increase the flexibility of your joints. Whereas Pilates focuses on trying to relax muscles which are tense and provide strengthening of the numerous muscles of the body.

jackfowler Mon 29-Jul-19 13:53:46

If you’re looking to start an exercise class or tone up without a sweaty and high impact spin or kickboxing class, yoga and pilates are excellent options. Though both emphasize stretching and balance, the classes and the benefits are different. Here’s a guide to figuring out which is best for you — not that you have to choose. The two can complement each other and both can be a healthy part of your regular exercise regimen.

dabossman Mon 02-Mar-20 19:23:40

pilates all the way!!

M0nica Tue 03-Mar-20 15:38:52

I do pilates but we once had a yoga class when our pilates instructor was ill.

I hated it. I am mildly dyspraxic and have poor balance - hence the pilates. The first half of the Yoga class was exercises requiring balance that I simply couldn't manage because my balance is poor. The tutor took no notice and left me floundering. I was about to walk out when she got us on our backs but be then I was beyond caring and cannot remember exactly what exercises we did.

My pilates teacher, knows she has people in class with balance problems and if an exercise, very rarely expects us to stand on one foot or similar, she always suggests that anyone with balance problems move to the wall or barre that is in our studio to use it for support and several of us do, No fuss, just a mention. She does this for any exercise that she knows someone could have difficulty with.

I also do Tai Chi, and I absolutely love it.

Shirleyw Tue 03-Mar-20 17:42:06

I do pilates at home now, used to go to a class but she did another class before hand and was never on time, i got fed up waiting in corridor lol..., i did try yoga but they crammed in too many people, i couldnt see instructor properly so copied others, which is not the thing to do so i never went back. Shame that, even stretching our arms out you had to avoid the other person so not relaxing at all.

MartineMagali Sun 14-Jun-20 12:21:04

Bonjour. I have done yoga on and off from my twenties up until my fifties. In my sixties, I started 1-to-1 Pilates with a fantastic coach, for three years, which gave me a strong understanding (core strength / awareness of pelvic floor muscles) and for the last four years, until January 2020 (!), I followed a class, with a dynamic coach: in a group, Pilates is also fun and friendly. I miss it. The difference between yoga and Pilates, for me, is the notion of mood, speed and energy. You should try both.

jeanie99 Mon 22-Jun-20 01:16:11

I attended classes for Yoga and Pilates once a week for three month until
I started with lower back pain and pain down the side of my face.
Went to the GP I had damaged the nerves down the right hand side of my face and was told this was a classic neck injury. I was put under the physio with my back and neck for 6 months.
Because of this I had a dexa scan and it was found I had Osteoporosis.
Previous to this I used weights at the gym without a problem.
I am not saying don't do either of these classes but take it easy and definitely choose classes where the instructor walks round checking your positions.
My instructors didn't check, they sat in front of the classes just showing you what to do. So it was easy to get into positions which were incorrect and causing injury without you realizing it.
Just be very cautious and make sure the instructor is well qualified.

My problem is although I am 75 I am very flexible and didn't have a problem doing any of the exercises so didn't realize I was injuring myself.