Pilates and Tai Chai, better than Yoga?

It is proven and well-known that Yoga dramatically reduces falls, the major leading cause of injuries in older adults. However, a new study suggests that fellow disciplines as Pilates and Tai Chi may be better stability and balance enhancers.

It was demonstrated in the study of Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine that Iyengar yoga is the particular the kind of Yoga, involving the use of ropes, cushions and belts, helps improve the balance, motion and flexibility in legs and feet of people above 65 years old.

After 9 weeks of training with yoga, participants seemed to distribute their weight more evenly throughout the foot, which improves stability and prevents falls.

However, this improvement is not enough to reduce the risk of falls among high-risk individuals as elderly people. Event though yoga focuses on static poses that can be beneficial while standing still, Tai Chi and Pilates result to be more effective at improving motor control and coordination for walking, when actually most falls take place.

In addition, Pilates and Tai Chi focus on precise body movements and strengthening the hip and leg joints, and the abdominal and back muscles. About these, two key facts:

For people over 70, Tai Chi eliminates the risk of falling in half after 15 weeks of practice.

With Pilates, if you loose your balance while walking, you'll be better able to make rapid adjustments in your gait.

Finally, it is highly advised you consult to you physician before engaging into Tai Chi or Pilates for approval, especially if you suffer from lower back problem and disabilities.

Source: Health U.S. News

Yoga +Pilates = YOGILATES

For maximum performance Pilates and Yoga blend in a new method aimed to get the benefits of both disciplines with a synergic effect.

So, considering the fast lifestyle most people have nowadays it turns out terrific to realizing an efficient and effective physical training for getting strength, flexibility, good posture, control and stress management, among other results.

There is an incredible similarity between Yoga and Pilates, two disciplines very “in” nowadays for their wonderful benefits body and mind. While Yoga has a millenary history of over 4 000 years, Pilates has no more than 100.

Though, it not strange they have too many similarities, since Joseph Pilates, the creator of the Pilates method was inspired by yoga to create his method in the 1920’s.

And how Yogilates came up? It was created in 1997 by the New York Pilates instructor and personal trainer, Jonathan Urla. It is a physical method that integrates the strengthening of the core or Powerhouse and the aligning principles of Pilates with the hatha yoga.

Urla also included the acknowledge of the exercise science, dance medicine and biomechanics in the Yogilates system for a complete, effective and secure regime than can be practiced for anyone, no matter his age or work out background. Its regular practice improves your performance in every activity. It includes 300 exercises, from beginners to advanced level.

So, uf you decide to give it a try to Yogilates remember to relax, open your minds and renew yourself with the new fitness of the XXI century.