Yoga is a 5000 year old tradition that originated in India In the West, the most widely taught form of yoga is Hatha Yoga with classes offering students exercises to stretch and flex the body, develop breath awareness, relaxation and sometimes meditation. Pilates is also a method of exercise and physical movement that is designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. A Pilates workout will typically have less stretching exercises and more exercises that focus on toning surface muscles and strengthening deep muscles next to the spine, as well as the abdomen, and pelvic floor compared to yoga.