Yoga or Pilates?

Has anyone who is not a size 2 had much success with either Yoga or Pilates?? I have a gym membership that offers tons of free classes and I'm trying to find the right one for me. I am not obese but not "small" either. Everything I research just shows Skinny Minnie's doing the poses. It seems a bit intimidating.

Replies

  • Anyone who can tie their shoes can do yoga and I donno what pilates is.

    Check out youtube, lots of free yoga there and you can do it at your own house to see if it suits you.
  • ElizaB84
    ElizaB84 Posts: 105 Member
    I prefer yoga. Its more reaxing for me.
  • drangonfly2323
    drangonfly2323 Posts: 197 Member
    I am not a size 2 or even close and I do yoga classes regularly. You'd be surprise. I am never the smallest but a lot of the times I am not biggest either. I really love my yoga.
  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    Try both and see which you like better. It's just going to be a bunch of normal people in the class, and given the time of year, a lot of beginners.
  • nikkihk
    nikkihk Posts: 487 Member
    Pilates is better for muscle toning IMO... it's more like weightless weight lifting. Yoga is good for flexibility... and though they seem similar? They have completely different benefits. I'd do both honestly.
  • jbee27
    jbee27 Posts: 356 Member
    Both of these are totally dependent upon the style of yoga or Pilates that is being taught and the style/personality/philosophy of the instructor. Both involve a lot of stretching and body resistance

    In my experience with both, Pilates involves more dynamic movement, whereas yoga is more 'pose' oriented. Yoga is traditionally more spiritual or “mind-body” oriented, with some meditation/breathing components.

    I started doing Pilates and Yoga when I was 220 pounds (5'9" tall), and I was rarely the largest person in the room. Yoga instructors typically offer modified poses, and I’ve found them to be very encouraging of participants moving at their own pace.

    I’m envious of your gym with free classes! In that situation, I’d try them all and go back to the ones I like!
  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    Both are great. Yoga is a series of poses (asanas) that build strength, balance, flexibility and really get you in tuned with your body. I find it very relaxing and challenging. Pilates, is similitude but a little bit more aerobic. I had injured my back and after PT I did both and it was very helpful. Pilates was developed to get injured dancer back into shape. Both help in lengthening and stretching. Try them both!

    And by the way, I'm not skinny nor very flexible and enjoy them both.