The debate between which one is better, Yoga or Pilates, has been going on for quite some time now. While both may seem very similar on the surface, the way they work on your body is significantly different.
But to understand this difference better, we must know the origins of both these forms of exercise.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF YOGA
Yoga is a 3000-year-old Indian practice that is popular for its flowing movements, focus on breathing, and meditative aspects. Yoga is often promoted as a way of life that includes changes in diet and visualisation practices.
But the reason why Yoga originally came into being was to gain self-control and instil calm in your body. It is only later that it was popularised as a way of exercise, mostly due to its various iterations popping up in foreign countries such as the US.
In ancient times, Yoga was considered a practice suitable only for the saints. However, nowadays you can find numerous Yoga studios around you that offer classes in various forms of Yoga, ranging from Vinyasa to Ashtanga.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF PILATES
While such injuries can be managed through painkillers, and there are other methods out there that will help you “manage” the pain, none of them will teach you the correct movement patterns to ensure that the injury does not reoccur.
None, except Pilates.
Pilates is the only form of movement in the world that focuses on efficient body mechanics. It was developed by Joseph Pilates, who was born a very sick child and suffered from a disease called rickets, or bendy bones. To strengthen himself, he studied wrestling, yoga, body-building, gymnastics, martial arts, and the human body in great detail and then created his form of exercise called Pilates.
Hence, Pilates was born out of the need to improve body mechanics.
BUT HOW DO THESE TWO HELP IN EASING LOWER BACK PAIN?
A 2015 study published in the International Journal of Yoga found that Yoga can be effective in the short term to treat chronic back pain. However, additional therapy was recommended for treating the lower back pain for the long term.
Yoga stretches your muscles and can work well if you have tight muscles. But if the cause of pain is incorrect body mechanics, then yoga can make it worse. In most cases, the cause for long-term lower back pain is incorrect body mechanics.
Pilates is extremely useful for treating long-term lower back pain. The fact that it works to improve the body mechanics itself makes it the preferred choice to treat back pain from the core. Across multiple studies, it has been found that people who underwent Pilates training under expert guidance experienced significantly lesser back pain, no matter what their age was!
EXERCISES FOR LOWER BACK PAIN PILATES IN DUBAI
It is important to note that Pilates for back pain should be done under proper guidance, as it involves various movements that need to be done properly lest they may be harmful to your body. That’s why you need a place where you can get the best guidance possible.
The PAD Fitness in Dubai offers customised Pilates that is tailor-made just for you! We have a roster of experienced trainers who can teach you the nuances of various movements involved in Pilates and help heal your lower back pain for good!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!