Page 132 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2025

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
story by Joey Lee
If you’ve ever wondered whether you should roll out the yoga mat or hop on a reformer machine for Pilates, you’re not alone. These popular workouts may share some similarities, but they have distinct roots, goals and benefits. And one thing is for certain, both have extremely dedicated followers who say their way is the best, but which one might be right for you?
Yoga brings together physical poses with breathwork and meditation. It began in India more than 5,000 years ago and combines physical postures (or poses), breathing techniques, and meditation to promote balance, flexibility, and inner peace. Some classes focus more on the spiritual and meditative aspects, others, like power or vinyasa yoga, emphasize strength and movement. Practitioners believe it’s about the whole package, getting stronger while also connecting the mind, body and
breathing.
Pilates is relatively new, especially compared to yoga. It was
developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century and is a system of exercises designed to strengthen the core, improve posture, and enhance body awareness. Pilates can be done on a mat or specialized equipment like the Reformer, and it’s low-impact and highly effective in building lean muscle and improving stability.
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