As a Christian myself, I definitely checked into this when I was looking into Pilates. I know some Christians who are fine with Yoga, and I’m not judging them if they can separate it from it’s roots… but I couldn’t. And I didn’t want to go there inadvertently with Pilates.
So from someone who has looked into it, and studied Pilates history, here’s the scoop on Pilates, where it is from, what it’s about. Let’s explore whether it is the same as Yoga, or if it’s better than Yoga for Christians.
So where does Pilates come from?
A Brief History of Pilates
Joseph Pilates was born in Monchengladbach, Germany in 1883. While there is a lot we don’t know, His father was a boxer and we think that is probably how he got his introduction to the fitness world.
During WW2, being German, Pilates was detained on the Isle of Man. During his time there, he developed much of his program and trained the men in his group. It is believed that he also helped rehabilitate soldiers who had been injured.
Some say that Joe studied yoga in the development of “Contrology,” (his name for Pilates), but I have not heard of this in my training, or the research of the most notable sources I have found as of yet. If this is the case, he left the spiritual part out of it.
Joe Pilates After the War
Sometime after the war, Joe pilates came to New York, and with the help of Clara Pilates, he opened a studio/gym, and developed and patented several pieces of equipment which are still in use today.
His gym being right next to a dance studio, caused his work to gain popularity quickly in the dance world, as he was the man who could help with the injuries the ballet dancers sustained.
Joe trained them, but his vision for his method went far beyond dance. He wanted his method to be used by the masses, even envisioning it being used in schools.
Pilates Starts a Life of its Own
After his death, a group of his friends and loyal clients worked hard to see to it that the method would not die with him, as well as to help provide for Clara. John Howard Steel was one of these friends, and was close to Joe and Clara. He wrote about it in, “Caged Lion, Joseph Pilates and His Legacy”. It does present Joe as a rather colorful character with not-great morals, so be aware of that.
As for preserving Pilates, his friends succeeded. Pilates is growing in popularity across the country and even the world. The studio where I received my training teaches other pilates trainers, with virtual trainings made available by necessity thanks to Covid. They have trained aspiring instructors virtually in many countries.
So now that we know a bit of its history, let’s compare it to yoga and see what the similarities and differences are.
Where Do the Exercises Come From
It is believed that Joe came up with some of his exercises by watching young children at play, as well as watching animals. He named some exercises by what they resembled, and others by the motion you do. For example “Swan”, and “Cat”, vs. “Roll Up”, and “Spine Twist”.
Mind Body Exercise – Is it Okay for Christians?
Mind-body exercise? This is one place where people really get tripped up. Mind body exercise is not spiritual in itself. How you practice it could be.
“All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.”
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation
1 Corinthians 10:23 NASB1995
“I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation
Romans 14:14 NASB1995
If you can’t separate Yoga from its roots in eastern religion, don’t do it. Pilates, as best as I can tell, is separate, and I have no problem with it. If you aren’t convinced, then look into it further, and wait to try it until you are.
“One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.”
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation
Romans 14:5 NASB1995
While this verse is talking about holy days, I think the principle applies.
What is Mind-Body Exercise?
Both Yoga and Pilates are classified as mind-body exercise. What this basically means, is that both forms of exercise are choreographed and precise, both involve breathing, proprioception (knowing where you are in space), and you really have to focus on what you’re doing.
There is no holding poses in Pilates, it keeps you moving, (except for stretching which requires a little time holding the stretch to benefit from it), and there’s no meditation. You’re too busy trying to do the exercise.
Mind body exercise is low impact, relaxing, and enjoyable, without failing to also be challenging and beneficial.
Yoga and Pilates Get Combined, Which Adds to the Confusion
The other place people get tripped up is simply that Yoga and Pilates get lumped together frequently. You may go to a pilates studio, or a yoga studio and see “yogalates” classes. What this means is they’ve taken stuff from both methods, and put them together into one class.
But with Yoga being based in eastern religion and pilates being based on a German guy’s effort to improve the health and well-being of… everybody, to me there is a clear difference.
Joe Pilates Wasn’t an Angel Either
Now I’m not saying Joe Pilates was a totally stand up fellow- as I mentioned before, he was a bit of an odd duck. He definitely had some worldliness in his story. I’m just saying, I have found no actual evidence to indicate any eastern religion in the development or history of pilates.
You will see articles to the contrary on the internet, but with the best information we have from people who knew Joseph and trained with him, it simply doesn’t seem to be the case.
Pilates is a Great Alternative to Yoga for Christians
So it is with this information that I feel confident to recommend Pilates as an excellent alternative to Yoga for myself, my friends who share my concerns about Yoga, and you.
For happy bodies…
Melanie
