ask stylebook: pilates vs. yoga?

by Sara VanderGoot | 12.09.14

Please contact our Pilates & Yoga advisors, Becky Boutillier (left) becky@mindthemat.com & Laura Schwartz (right) laura@mindthemat.com to find out what class is best for you.

Katie: How do I know if I should take Pilates or Yoga?

Sara VanderGoot, CMT, e-RYT 200, RYT 500: Pilates & Yoga are complementary exercise systems, so I often recommend that clients take both Pilates & Yoga. Pilates focuses on core strengthening, postural alignment and spinal stabilization while yoga a bit more on finding the balance between strength and flexibility as well as actively reducing stress. Beyond that, it depends on your goal. If you have sciatica and back pain you might choose Pilates. If you have tight hamstrings or are seeking to reduce stress you might choose yoga. At Mind the Mat we have Pilates & Yoga advisors who can help you identify your goal and choose the right class.

Please contact our Pilates & Yoga advisors, Becky Boutillier (left) becky@mindthemat.com & Laura Schwartz (right) laura@mindthemat.com to find out what class is best for you.

About the author
The latest from Sara
About the studio

Sara VanderGoot

co-owner, CMT, e-RYT 200, RYT 500 | Mind the Mat

http://www.mindthemat.com

smvand@yahoo.com

703.683.2228

Sara VanderGoot, CMT, e-RYT 200, RYT 500, is Co-founder of Mind the Mat Pilates and Yoga and Director of Mind the Mat Yoga Alliance certified teacher training program. Sara is an experienced Registered Yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance. She studied Interdisciplinary Yoga with Don and Amba Stapleton in Nosara, Costa Rica and at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Sara is Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, licensed by the Virginia Board of Nursing. Sara has been practicing massage therapy, including specialties Prenatal Massage, Postpartum Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Thai Yoga Massage, in Del Ray, Alexandria for over 15 years and a yoga instructor for 7 years. At Mind the Mat she specializes in Prenatal Yoga, Postpartum Core Yoga, Mommy and Me Core Yoga, Partners Yoga, and Hot Flow Yoga. Sara frequently acts as a birth companion for many of her clients, doing massage and yoga during labor and delivery to facilitate comfort during both medicated and unmedicated births. Before becoming a massage therapist and yoga instructor, she was a lawyer in the Washington D.C. area and found that the healing practices of massage and yoga brought a balance to her life that she had been searching for.

Mind the Mat Together: Reconnect In Person With Community This Summer!

By Sara VanderGoot

06.02.21
When Your Mother’s Book On Motherhood Gets Published! + Special Mother’s Day Offers

By Sara VanderGoot

05.05.21
Street Style: Laura Andors

By Sara VanderGoot

04.30.21

Mind the Mat Pilates & Yoga was founded in 2008 by Megan Brown, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Polestar Certified Practitioner of Pilates for Rehabilitation and Sara VanderGoot, Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher (e-RYT 200, RYT 500). In their private practices as physical therapist and massage therapist respectively Megan and Sara observed that many of their clients were coming in with similar needs: relief for neck and shoulder tension and low back pain as well as a desire for more flexibility in hips and legs, stability in joints, and core strength.

Together Megan and Sara carefully crafted a curriculum of Pilates and yoga classes to address needs for clients who are pregnant, postpartum, have injuries or limitations, who are new to Pilates and yoga, and for those who are advanced students and are looking for an extra challenge.

www.mindthemat.com

2214 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301

703.683.2228