YOGA & PILATES: Why I practice one and teach the other

Me in 1993

Picture this: a yoga book from the '80s (with models in their flashy unitards and all!) and 5-year-old me attempting headstands in her bedroom. The book must have belonged to my mother, whose love for yoga and spiritual practices was already present in our home. That early exposure planted a seed—a curiosity about movement, breath, and the inner landscape that would grow with me.

As a child, I was always moving, always exploring my body in space. Dance became the way I channeled that energy, eventually leading me to study professionally and graduate as a dancer from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. Movement was (and still is) my language, my outlet, my inquiry.

After completing my dance degree, I knew I wanted to pursue teacher training. Though I was deeply connected to yoga on a personal level, something held me back—I didn’t feel spiritually ready to take that leap into teaching. At the same time, I felt a strong, clear belief in Pilates as a method. It had become a fundamental tool for my own body awareness during the rigorous demands of dance training. Pilates gave me the physical intelligence and control I needed to sustain myself as a performer—and I still believe wholeheartedly in its power to this day. But I also like to add a little more to it.

It surprises many people when they hear that I *practice* yoga regularly but *teach* Pilates. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way around? Shouldn’t I be flying the flag for the method I’ve chosen to share professionally?

Here’s the thing: I see both practices not as rivals, but as complementary philosophies that have each shaped me in profound ways. And I believe it’s time we move beyond the imaginary scission between “yoga people” and “Pilates people.”

A Lifelong Love for Yoga

Yoga was my first love. As a child, I didn’t have the language to describe it, but something about those postures, that stillness, and that quiet inquiry felt like home. Over the years, yoga has grounded me through change, challenged me to slow down, and continually reminded me to return to the present moment.

Yoga is expansive—it’s more than movement; it’s breath, it’s mindfulness, it’s philosophy. It’s how I start my mornings and reset after long days. My personal practice is intimate and ever-evolving, like a conversation I’ve been having with myself since that first childhood headstand.

The Power of Pilates

Pilates came into my life later, and in a very different way. Where yoga offered spaciousness, Pilates offered structure. Where yoga allowed me to explore, Pilates helped me refine. I was immediately drawn to its precision, the way it sharpens body awareness, builds intelligent strength, and supports functional movement in daily life.

Teaching Pilates gives me the opportunity to help others feel empowered in their bodies. I love the method’s ability to meet people where they are—whether they’re recovering from injury, seeking better posture, or just wanting to feel stronger and more aligned.

How They Differ

Yoga and Pilates may share some surface similarities, but their foundations and goals differ. Yoga is a centuries-old spiritual practice rooted in philosophy, meditation, and the union of body, mind, and spirit. Movement (asana) is just one limb of a much larger system. Pilates, on the other hand, was developed in the 20th century by Joseph Pilates as a physical conditioning method—focused on core strength, alignment, and controlled movement. While yoga often includes static holds and meditative breathing, Pilates emphasizes dynamic, repetitive exercises designed to build stability and support functional movement.

And What They Share

Despite their differences, both practices cultivate body awareness, presence, and breath integration. Both can improve posture, balance, flexibility, and strength. Both invite us to listen inward rather than push outward. Whether you're flowing through sun salutations or executing the hundred on a reformer, the invitation is the same: be present, be mindful, and move with intention.

One Informs the Other

Whether you have been practicing Online with me for a while or are new to my Pilates classes in Blackheath - London, you will surely notice I like to offer a bit of both worlds.

Although I teach Pilates, my yoga practice inevitably weaves itself into my sessions. I bring breath cues, mindful transitions, and an emphasis on internal listening to every class. The fluidity of yoga often softens the edges of Pilates; the strength and control of Pilates, in turn, bring clarity and stability to my yoga.

In fact, Pilates gave me the keys to my physical body. It taught me how to feel from the inside out, how to support movement with intention and awareness. That foundation has deeply informed my yoga practice—helping me feel safe, physically present, and truly embodied in ways that weren’t available to me before. While yoga connects me to the vastness of self, Pilates grounds me in the structure that holds it all together.

Instead of choosing sides, I choose integration.

Let’s Bridge the Divide

I’ve noticed there’s often a subtle (or not so subtle) division between the yoga and Pilates communities. As if you must pick a team and stay loyal. But why? Both systems are rooted in deep respect for the body. Both can be transformative. Both are worth exploring.

Whether you practice yoga, Pilates, or both, I invite you to approach movement with curiosity, not judgment. Be open to learning from both traditions. Let the breath guide you. Let the body teach you.

You don’t have to choose one over the other—you just have to follow what supports you.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

With love & gratitude,

Chiara

Me in 2014