Yoga X Pilates

What is Yoga ?

Yoga is a group of physical , mental and spiritual  practices or disciplines originated in ancient India. Yoga is well known for its postures and poses or “asanas” such as lotus posture. But they were not original yoga traditions in India. Yoga was developed in India about 5000 years ago, with the purpose of connecting individual consciousness to a universal consciousness. Poses together with breath control and meditation, boosts physical , mental, emotional and spiritual health.

Yogic tradition has a focuses on others practices, such as spiritual energy, using breathing methods and mental focus. Fitness is not a primary goal.

Yogis are Male practitioners of yoga, and Yoginis a female practitioners. Since 5000 years Yogis passed the discipline down to their students.

The Yoga Sutra is a yogic philosophy that focuses on how to master the mind, control the emotions and grow spiritually . The Yoga Sutra is one of the oldest texts in existence.

The tradition practices of yoga began in West at the end of the 19th century. And the really interest of exercises, started in the 1920s and 1930s in India and later in West. Yoga as a spiritual message, often uses the image of a tree with roots, branches, blossoms and fruits. The branches represent each one a set of characteristics.

For example: Hatha Yoga is the physical and mental branch. Raja Yoga is the meditation branch. Karma Yoga represents a branch of the future without negativism. Bhakti Yoga is devotion , emotions, acceptance and tolerance. Jnana Yoga is a branch of wisdom and developing the intellect through study. Tantra Yoga is a branch of ritual, ceremony or consummation of a relationship.

Equipment for yoga is very simple: mats and small props !    

Practicing Yoga you can decide which branch to follow. However modern Yoga have a focus on exercise, flexibility, strength and breathing. If you are beginner, classes of Hatha Yoga, introduces the basic yoga postures, with focuses on stretches and poses designed to stimulate inner peace and physical energy. Yoga for beginners offer low-intensity positions that allow you to access your flexibility and endurance, preventing you from getting hurt. A typically class of yoga starts with the setting off an intention for the practice, and ends with meditation and relaxation. 

What are Chakras ?

Chakras — If you are in a yoga or meditation class you probably heard about chakras. Chakras are central points of energy, within the human body. Its determines the way people experience reality through emotional reactions, aversions, fear, confidence, desires, physical symptoms and effects.

There are 7 majors chakras, and each one correspond to specific organs as well as physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual  states of being and can influence all areas of your life. The belief about chakras is that when the chakras are open and in balance, our energy is free flowing . When the chakras are blocked, you may experience anxiety, fears or nightmares, digestion disorders, and others symptoms.

• The first chakra or root chakra is associated with the base of spine, the pelvic floor and the three first vertebrae. Is responsible for the sense of security and survival.
• The second chakra or sacral chakra is located above the pubic bone ,is associated with sexual and creative energies.
• The third chakra or solar plexus is source of individual power and self-esteem. It governs metabolic, digestive and stomach issues.
• The fourth chakra or the heart chakra is located in the centre of your chest. It covers the heart, the thymus gland, lungs and breasts
• The fifth chakra or throat chakra rules all communications . Is associated with thyroid, parathyroid, jaw, neck, mouth, tongue and larynx.
• The sixth chakra or third-eye chakra is located between your eyebrows. Includes pituitary gland, eyes, head and lower part of the brain.
• The seventh chakra or crown chakra is located at the crown of your head, and according to the Chopra Center is the center of enlightenment  and our spiritual  connection to our higher selves, and the divine.

How you can see, practicing yoga is good for your body and spirit connection, and your flexibility and strength.

What is Pilates ?

Pilates is a physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who was a german Physical Trainer, and inventor of the ” Pilates Method”. His father was a Gymnast and his mother a Naturopath. Pilates developed a system of exercises, first called Controllogy. 

It was originally used as a rehabilitation program for prisoners of war and was later found to be of great benefit to anyone seeking a higher level of fitness. His method as the art of controlled movements ( workout ). Pilates improves flexibility, builds strength and develops control and endurance in the entire body. His method puts emphasis on alignment , breathing, developing a strong core, and improving coordination and balance. The core consisting of the muscles of the abdomen, low back, and hips, and it is also known as the “powerhouse”, which is the key of a person’s stability. Intensity can be increased over time as the body will adapts itself to the exercises.

A Pilates routine includes exercises that promote core strength and stability, muscle control and endurance, including exercises that stress proper posture and movement patterns and balanced flexibility and strength.    

Joseph Pilates created apparatuses , which could support the body in order to correct dysfunction and improve movement, alignment, strength and coordination. The method demands intense focus. Pilates exercises are done on either on a mat on the floor or on equipment developed by Joseph Pilates. His workout equipment uses pulleys and resistance from the participant own body weight on the machine and graduated levels of springs. The Reformer is probably the best known piece of resistance equipment .

The 6 Pilates Principles :

• centering
• control
• flow
• breath
• precision
• concentration

They are essential components for a high-quality workout. The Pilates method emphasizes quality over quantity and the exercises do not include a lot of repetitions for each move. Doing each exercise fully, with precision , you can reach results in a shorter time than you can imagine.

Joseph Pilates said that, full breathing feeds and stimulates the circulatory system , which is a body cleansing process that detoxifies the blood and refreshes the cells. Here is the root of the vitality you need to enjoy life and exercise.When breathing and circulation are working well, the body also has a natural rhythm wherein the organs are toned and refreshed and there is energy for daily life.

Core strength and torso stability, along the 6 principles, set this method apart from other types of exercise. How the body moves, not just in the studio, but in a daily life, is the most important aspect of Pilates workout. Be strong and flexible with grace and efficiency are qualities practiced consciously through Pilates exercises. You can see an ideal body with uniformity and muscular development, which is a pleasing visual, and a natural result of training the body to move with harmony and efficiency .

by Helena

Naturalize Yourself !

ref:

pilatesmethodaliance

Mayo clinic

better health.vic.gov