Julina Halim is a trained Pilates Instructor and a Certified Women’s Health Pilates Specialist by The Center for Women’s Fitness. She specializes not only in nutrition, but also health promotion, behavior coaching, women’s health Pilates and corrective body movements, corporate wellness designs, dance and movement for personal and team development.
1) What are the main differences between Pilates and yoga?
Pilates and Yoga are two different “systems” while there are some similarities. Both are mind-body exercises that require mindfulness, coordinating movement with breathing. Both are known to be transformational, and the benefits often include a stronger body, increased flexibility and range of movement, and a positive change in mood, energy etc.
Main Difference 1 – the root
Yoga is an ancient practice that has evolved throughout thousands of years. Its exact origin is unknown, and it’s now known as a big part of the Indian culture with the purpose of connecting individual consciousness with the universal conscious thought movement, breathing, and meditation, integrating physical, emotional and spiritual health. The movements are executed with these purposes in mind.
Pilates is a “designed” exercise, originally, for the purpose of physical rehabilitation. It later became very popular amongst dancers and performance artists in New York in the 1950s, before becoming a fitness trend for the mass. The classical Pilates principles include: breathe, concentration, centering, control, precision and flow, modern anatomical and biomechanical thinking are later integrated into the system.
Main Difference 2 – the practice
While breathing and concentration are important in both Yoga and Pilates, they are practiced quite differently.
Yoga focuses more on the whole body, emotional and, often, spiritual, experience during the practice. Pilates, while offers a whole body workout, focuses on aligning the spine, building a strong core from inside out. Pilates is also often used, besides rehabilitation, as a functional training towards certain athletic performances or performance arts.
Main Difference 3 – the purpose
Considering how differently each of these forms of practices started, in very many ways, they complement one another. In yoga, the goal is to stay connected with the breath and the flow. In Pilates, it is the precision and the correct engagement of the core.
How to know which one is right for you? You have to try both!
2) How can I benefit most from Pilates?
Most of those who start doing Pilates often experience a sensation of feeling longer and taller. You will develop a strong core that allows you to move with greater ease in your everyday movements. For those suffering injuries or conditions, the exercises will help strengthen and align the body, prevent further injuries or harm and many experience a reduction of pain.
3) What is a common misconception about Pilates? And how do you, as an instructor, rectify it?
“I am not flexible enough to do Pilates!” On the contrary, Pilates will help increase your flexibility. Our focus is help you work with your body, in order to move with greater ease and grace in what you need to do.
4) What can I expect from the first session with you? How would my sessions progress from there?
Most people may find it a little confusing coordinating breathing and movement in the first session. It gets better every quickly moving forward! However, your progress depends on your existing condition and how often you come to class.
5) What are the different benefits from attending a group session versus a private one?
Exercises in a group class are designed to offer overall workout that will suit most people attending the class. In a private session, the instructor is able to focus and tailored the class to meet your needs.
To find out more about our Pilates programs with any of our instructors, please call our Front Desk at 03-42568833 and ask about a special price for the first trial.
