Yoga/Pilates

L

lwseymour

Cathlete
My understanding is that fitness is made up of 3 different elements; cardio, strength, and flexibility. I have done cardio for many years, but I have been inconsistent with strength training over the years. I am now being consistent with strength training and cardio. Now, I would like to add the flexibility part to my routine. Do many of you find that you have overlooked this part of fitness, or is it just me?

I guess my question is, should I get a stretch tape (such as the new Tamilee Webb video) or should I try yoga? Honestly, I am quite confused about the difference in yoga and stretching. Is one more effective in promoting flexibility? Or is it just personal preference? Would anyone mind telling me how yoga has benefited you?

One more question, would you consider the "core stabilization" sections in the CTX series as pilates? I'm confused about what pilates is? I have read alot about pilates in the collage video catalog and frankly, I'm more confused than ever. Do most of you add pilates and/or yoga to your routines and if so, do you find it benefits you? Sorry so many questions.

Lisa
 
Hi Lisa!

I'm certainly no expert, but I've been focusing a lot on yoga and now pilates because of my knees, so I can at least share with you what I've experienced. I started doing ashtanga or power yoga a couple of years ago. This type of yoga is said to be more flowing, as there are connecting moves between the poses. This type will not only greatly improve flexibility, but also strength. I presume you are using different muscle groups to hold these poses, therefore it is very complimentary to standard weight training. I'm also certain that weight training will help with being able to hold certain poses. I found it to be a great compliment to the usual cardio/wt training - I always feel great after a yoga workout. My favorites are the Bryan Kest series, and others have said the Baron Baptiste series are good. I'm sorry I can't help you with other yoga tapes.

I've recently started doing pilates and this is a very different approach to fitness. The goal is total body fitness, through developing strength and control of the torso, i.e. back and abs. Therefore there are lots and lots of exercises targeting this region and form and breathing are crucial to making progress - it takes a lot of concentration to do this right. It is also very different in that the repetitions are low before moving on - at first I wondered how so few could be effective, but it is amazing the effects of these workouts. It's a little mysterious to me! Most of the videos are matwork - but there are also flexband and pilates circle workouts as well. There are also pieces of equipment that are mostly used in studios using these flowing exercises. I can say that my always pooches out stomach has already flattened out somewhat doing pilates, and that's a miracle! :eek:

I think both are really great ways to develop flexibility and strength in ways that are a lot different from standard weight training - my guess is that mixing it up could also potentially lessen the risk of injury. I always feels really good after doing these types of workouts. The core stabilization exercises in CTX are similar to pilates exercises, but again, the pilates system seems much gentler on the body, you don't hold the poses as long.

Hope this long winded response helps - :)

Cheers!
Colia
 
Interesting Subject

Thank You Lisa for asking the question.
Colia Thank You for responding.

This is a subject that has been on my mind. I did dance ballet for 18 years. At 24 I was considered ancient! Went into cardio & strength. I am not as limber as years past. Have seriously been looking for a good tape. Lisa, I understand the confusion but there are many out there hopefully have additional input.

Any and all point of view seriously appreciated!!!

Thank You,
Laura
 
RE: Hi Lisa!

Hi Colia,
Yes, this helps very much. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I think I'm gonna get a beginning yoga video and possibly a pilates tape also. I keep hearing about how pilates is so effective for flattening the abs. Boy, do I ever need help in that area!
I will simply have to try each to understand how they are different and what they will do for me. I may just bite the bullet tomorrow on my lunch hour and run pick up some new tapes. Thanks.
Lisa
 
RE: Hi Lisa!

Well, I just saw this thread, and had to respond due to the fact that yoga is one of my favorite things to do! Now I don't do power yoga, I like Hatha yoga. The poses are held long enough, that you can feel the muscles release, but you don't get sweaty. In fact, I feel like warm jello afterward, it's a great way to relax! My flexibilty has improved greatly since I took up yoga. I feel,IMHO, that yoga is better than athletic stretching because the stretches are usually held longer. It also leaves you very calm afterwards. MY back pain has virtually disappeared since I've been doing it regularly! I was also a dancer, I still teach tap in addition to my other classes!! So I had a good bit of flexibility to begin with. But since doing yoga, it has gotten even greater. Give it a try!!

Aimee
 
Hi Colia!

Do you have any favorite Pilates videos? I have a collection of YOGA tapes but would like to try Pilates. I generally prefer DVDs, but if I need to go video..I'm willing to get videos.
Thanks for you suggestions.
Dawn
 
Hi Lisa! Yoga will certainly add more flexibility to your cardio and strength training. There are, however, 24 different types of yoga out there. Its just finding the right one that you'll feel comfortable with. Power Yoga (ashtanga) is very strenous. It flows one movement into another without pausing. The Hathya yoga provides you with pauses in between each movement for meditation. Its definitely more relaxing. Then there's Kundalini which is the most ancient form of yoga. All of the other yogas are based upon this one. This one I feel you should start off with simply because it gives you everything from flexibility, relaxation, meditation and even aerobics. Then I would also recommend you try Ali McGraw's Mind & Body. It's taught by Eric Shiffman a master of yoga. I had started out with Power Yoga once a week and derived much more flexibility from it, however, like I said before it's very strenuous and if you want a light day try one of the other two tapes I mentioned. Pilates is based on your core strength meaning your lower back and abdominals primarily. Moira Stott is a master teacher and one of the best. Her instructions are impeccable. From doing Cathe's CTX tapes (plank work), I found that I was much more precise with my movements in Pilates. Give it a try, you won't regret it! Good luck! Kathy
 
Friends that take both yoga & Pilates classes like yoga for flexability & Pilates for tightening the abs. Precision Toning is a good intro to Pilates mat work & is widely available. My only criticism is that it doesn't show the use of a band or circle for beginner modifications. I've heard the Stott tapes are good if you can stand her personality. The Voight & Denise Austen tapes are Pilates & yoga insprired rather than traditional Pilates work. Voight's Body Reform tapes lack the controlled breathing & movements of Pilates.

Even with regular Pilates work, I still reach for Scott Cole's Millenium stretch. It's strictly stretching & relaxation & is a great way to end the fitness week.
 
Pilates videos

I like The Method's Precision Toning with Jennifer Kries (avail at Target for 6.99) to begin with. I've also got The Method's All in one workout (which I didn't really like except the last portion which is with Jennifer Kries again, and is an amazing pilates workout for abs) and Dynamic Firming (which is okay, not as good as Precision Toning).
I've heard good things about Living Arts Pilates beginner and intermediate, both can be found at Whole Foods for 14.98 each (all through collage, too). I've also heard good things about Karen Voight's Body Reform and Abs and back.
 
Hello all!

I think Kathy knows what she's talking about with her video recommendations. I will never forget the first time my friend and I tried the volume one Kest tape - we kept falling over and laughing saying, "He wants us to do what????" :eek: :D But with practice and patience, we got better at it. Kathy is probably right that other types of yoga are better to start off with, this type is just more to my liking - I had a beginner tape with Patricia Walden that was very thorough, but just too slow for me.

In terms of pilates tapes, I agree that the Moira Stott tapes are excellent - she has a revised set of mat tapes that I am using, that I'm told are quite a bit better than the original series. I have also enjoyed Precision Toning with Jennifer Kries, which is mostly based on pilates exercises - this tape also begins with a 15 minutes introduction to basic principles. This one is auctioned on ebay frequently, as are many other pilates videos. Reading books about the techniques have also helped a lot, in that you have more time to think about and practice the basics of these practices than in doing a video.

Thanks for all the info everyone -

Cheers!
Colia :)
 
Dawn

Dawn, if you are looking for Pilates DVDs, you might want to try one of the new Method workouts. I have 3-Dimensional Toning and Perfect Mix and both have some good core work segments.
 
RE: Dawn

Sharon,
Thanks for the suggestion. I just order Precision Pilates made by Jennifer Kries since I could get in DVD version through Amazon. It is back ordered but I'm willing to wait for a DVD. I think I recall amazon also had the 3D Toning by Jennifer Kries on DVD. I'll try that one next.

BY the way amazon is also taking PRE-ORDERS for Kundalini Yoga with Grace and Strength DVDs for $13.99.

Dawn
 
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