Yoga or Pilates?

I don't think it matters - I have tried yoga, pilates, tai chi, and Alexander technique (less popular now than it once was).
I find that personally, I can't 'sequence' well, and have found that body Control Pilates works best for me.
Bear in mind that there are different versions of each. Any teachers will give you a trial session, and you can see what suits best, including how easy it is to get to, cost, and how pleasant the atmosphere is.
Also, if you are well co-ordinated generally, you may find 'church hall' or large leisure centre classes quite adequate. I am very clunky physically and have always needed a small class with a patient instructor.
Because of mobility and accessibility issues, I now do my pilates at home, and have a 1-to-1 with my instructor every 6-8 weeks to check that I'm on the right track.
good luck!

I have done all three, yoga, pilates and Tai Chi. I tried 3 different yoga instructors before I found one I liked. She moved away a few years ago and I didn’t bother again. I started doing Tai Chi last year, which I enjoyed and it really helped with balance. That teacher then started running Tai yoga classes which are great. They are not as intense as yoga and the movements are slower. I have been doing Pilates for a couple of years and again enjoy the classes as our instructor is excellent at adapting moves for individuals. So, a Tai yoga and a pilates class a week. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy.

Both! Do them on different days - that's what I do and I enjoy both equally. Good luck.

Case of swings or roundabouts! Also really depends on the teacher, you can really enjoy one but find the teacher annoying. Test them both out I’d say.

I do both and prefer yoga but it’s difficult to find a yoga class that is right for you. They are all so different and what’s beginner’s yoga for some is not beginner’s yoga for others. Personally I think pilates would be the better option because of your reasons for wanting to start something. If you have time doing a mixture of the two is the ideal.

I have done pilates for about 15 years and currently attend 2 classes each week. Finding a good teacher is key whichever you do. Mine is a qualified physio and is great at modifying exercises so that you can work around any injuries or difficulties. she also incorporates balance challenges and rings the changes with different equipment that she provides. Quite a few in her classes are rehabbing form injury or surgery and she makes sure everyone stays safe. I think it's really important for the teacher to watch her class so she can correct positions, not every teacher does this. I definitely prefer pilates to yoga and we do plenty of stretching.

I do both but prefer Pilates. Research has shown that Pilates is more effective than painkillers for lower back pain - it’s gentle slow stretching and building up core strength.

I've done & enjoyed both, but now my focus is on Pilates. It was a physiotherapist who advised me to do Pilates: a weekly class helps
me to be more supple despite my back/mobility problems, and it keeps me moving. My daily exercises (as advised by physiotherapist) appear to be very Pilates-like! (I could do yoga as well, but I can only manage one class a week.)

I'm now 72 and have done both. I started with yoga 25 years ago and struggled with it but Pilates, which I've now done for 20 years is brilliant. I much prefer Pilates as the movements are constant and doesn't rely on balance as yoga does.

Key to the success with either is a well qualified instructor and one that understands the restrictions some of us older ones have.

There are different types of yoga and I'm thinking of trying Hatha yoga which is said to be good for beginners.

I had a hip replacement 5 years ago due to arthritis and the surgeon said doing pilates had set me up to make a good recovery. As toscalily says: it's good for core and strengthening.

I've had a range of teachers over the years and the best ones are those that give variations for each position, so I can build up to the advance movement as and when I want to push myself a little further. The best night's sleep I get is after a Pilate's class. It's a good workout but also calms me. I should be strict with myself and get the mat out more and do some at home.

Try a class. Some may provide mats and other equipment you might need: bands and blocks. I decided to buy my own pilates mat and have bought a 15mm thick one. It's better for my knees. Mats for yoga tend to be much thinner.

Having done both - yoga for years I think Pilates actually does more for you in the way of keeping you supply.

toscalily

Before lockdown I regularly attended both Yoga & Pilates (done both for years), I'm in my 70's A good teacher or gym will usually allow you to attend a class for free to get the feel of it, if not ask if you can as you are a beginner. Pilates is good for core and strengthening, Yoga for the stretching, breathing and calming effect, unless you do one of those new "fast" type of Yoga classes which I would not recommend. Remember whatever you do, go at your own pace, only go as far with any exercise as you are comfortable with and gradually build on that, forget about the bendy 35 year old next to you, accept you are older and stiffer.

Totally agree with Toscalily - I would try both to see

Before lockdown I regularly attended both Yoga & Pilates (done both for years), I'm in my 70's A good teacher or gym will usually allow you to attend a class for free to get the feel of it, if not ask if you can as you are a beginner. Pilates is good for core and strengthening, Yoga for the stretching, breathing and calming effect, unless you do one of those new "fast" type of Yoga classes which I would not recommend. Remember whatever you do, go at your own pace, only go as far with any exercise as you are comfortable with and gradually build on that, forget about the bendy 35 year old next to you, accept you are older and stiffer.

Why not consider Tai Chi?

I did Pilates and Tai Chi, but had to give up Pilates because of recurrent cramp. Tai Chi stretches and keeps you flexible in a gentle and dupportive way.

I did do one Yoga class. It seemed to assume you have good balance. I have dyspraxia, which means poorish balance and tending to be a bit clumsy and haveing squencing problems. The Yoga nearly reduced me to tears as even the simplest yoga movements were beyond me. Both Pilates and Tai Chi can accommodate my dyspraxia.

As Glorianny says it's worth trying a few classes to find one that suits you.

Many classes start up in September when the schools go back here and then beginners classes do start from the beginning. by June/July they are running at the level the class members have attained through the year so maybe more advanced.

Tai Chi is also good for stretching and balance.

I’ve only done Pilates and would say start with that to see how you go.

I don't think you have to choose one or the other really either. But I would say get a teacher who understands what they are doing and is prepared to work with you and at your speed. I've been to a couple of Yoga classes which were called "Beginners" but which were very demanding and too much for me (and I can still do a plank and downward dog from when I learned years ago). I started a Pilates class via Zoom in lockdown and the teacher is wonderful. She watches you on screen and helps and corrects you. I'm still working at beginners level, but she offers more advanced moves which I sometimes try. I have a friend who tried a class locally named beginners and dropped straight out, because it wasn't!
So maybe look around try each class and decide then? Good luck

I don’t think you need to choose between them, you can do both together (on different days!) quite comfortably, until and if you decide you prefer one to the other.

I do pilates ,I have the pilates reformer equipment at home.I find it a great help with my back ,I have ahernaited disc and it streches it out.I use it as soon as I get up and can function normally through the day .