If you’re looking for a workout that improves strength, boosts flexibility and calms a racing mind, a session that combines yoga with Pilates might be just the thing.
These classes allow you to reap the benefits of both disciplines in a single sitting—and you can find plenty of them online.
Nicole McPherson, a certified yoga and Pilates instructor, recently shared a low-impact session on YouTube that ticks all the right boxes.
Incorporating breathwork with core-focused moves, this 20-minute workout will boost your strength and help you connect with your body.
How to do the 20-minute workout
You won’t need any equipment for this workout beyond a yoga mat.
The benefits of combining yoga with Pilates
Pilates can improve your strength but lacks any mindful benefits, while yoga can soothe our nervous systems and improve flexibility—but it isn’t great for building muscle.
Merging the two disciplines means you get to experience the benefits of yoga and the benefits of Pilates, leading to a balanced workout routine.
"Blending heart-opening, expansive yoga postures with core-centered Pilates—often using resistance bands or weights—improves overall strength, bone density, balance, core stability, flexibility and posture," says Bethan Morgan, founder of Yogalates London and specialist in the award-winning Solomon Yogalates Method.
What is Yogalates?
Many trained instructors (like Mcpherson) create blended yoga and Pilates sessions, but there's a specific practice that merges the two disciplines and is recognized as a trademarked term: Yogalates.
In addition to merging the best bits of yoga with Pilates, this practice takes into account scientific research and the latest exercise recommendations.
"Yogalates incorporates scientific research into functional movement and therapeutic exercise to provide a holistic practice that improves posture, core stability and overall strength and flexibility, while also relieving mental stress and relaxing the nervous system, bringing the whole body into balance," says Morgan.
"[It’s] a safe and comprehensive approach to wellness for body, mind and spirit, establishing a strong and stable body, a calm mind and joyful spirit."
