I have not done Pilate's but I have seen it demonstrated on TV & YouTube
with the Pilate's equipment & the exercises that can be done without equipment.
I describe it as this:
Repetitive movements done into & out of certain positions done at medium speed.
I have done calisthenics it was part of the school P.E. program.
I describe it as this:
Repetitive movements done into & out of certain positions done at medium to high speed.
So to me these are similar the difference being the exact positions are some different.
I also watched some Pilate's yoga & found that it varies from almost Pilate's to almost yoga.
Depending on the instructor.
All the Pilate's yoga I watched still had a major difference from Hatha Yoga.
The Pilate's yoga remained in motion with even some "bouncing" to attain the full position.
Maybe the Yoga Pilate's video you have focuses more on the yoga.
I'm not going to buy some DVD's I don't need to find out.
I'm satisfied with Hatha Yoga as an addition to other exercise.
In Hatha Yoga once the position is reached it is held motionless for a period of time.
Beginners only go to the point in the position they can comfortably reach & hold that motionless.
Bouncing to attain the full position is not to be done.
The thought on this is in time the flexability will come.
Here is a description of one yoga exercise.
(I didn't include the figures because they were poor quality & in black & white.The caps are as copied.)
Complete Leg & Back Stretch
ADJUSTS THE VERTEBRAE. TONES THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. RELIEVES TENSION FROM THE BACK. RESTORES YOUTHFUL LIMBERNESS.
How to practice this exercise
1. Sit on your mat with your legs extended straight out in front of you, your toes and heels together, knees straight and
with your back erect and chest held high (Fig. 68).
2. Raise your arms until they are straight up in front of you, elbows straight, palms down and hands at eye level.
3. Lean slightly backwards at the waist (Fig. 69) and then bend slowly forward aiming your hands for the farthest part of
your extended legs that you can reach without strain.
4. It should take you at least 10 seconds to reach your farthest point.
Grasp whatever part of your legs you are able to reach. It may be your toes, feet, ankles, calves, knees or thighs
depending upon how stiff you are (Fig. 70).
5. Having a firm grip on your legs, bend your arms very gently and slowly at the elbows and pull yourself down until you
have reached your limit (Fig. 71).
Fig. 72 represents the ultimate & stretch in this posture. The head rests on the knees, the fingers grasp the toes and the
elbows touch the floor
6. Now close your eyes, let your .neck become limp, aim your head toward your knees, breathe normally and hold the
position motionless for 10 seconds.
7. To come out of this stretching posture straighten your elbows and in the same slow motion slide your hands up your legs until you are sitting in an upright position once again. Your head should be the last part of your body to straighten up.
8. Rest for a few moments and repeat the posture in exactly the same manner.
Benefits to you
1. The Complete Leg and Back Stretch gives complete elasticity to the spine in the forward bending direction.
2. It removes deep tension throughout the spine and back.
3. The stretching out of the spine and subsequent relief from tension is one of the most marvelous therapeutic manipulations you can do health of your entire nervous system.
4.The Complete Leg and Back Stretch develops and tones the muscles of the back.
5. This exercise produces the ultimate elasticity of the legs, stretching great gastrocnemius tendons behind the knees to
their original natural flexibility.
6. It strengthens the legs .
7. The vertebrae of the spinal column are adjusted .
8. It helps reduce weight in the hips, abdomen and buttocks.
Practice schedule
Do The Complete Leg and Back Stretch 3 times at each session. Hold it motionless for 10 seconds during the first week.
Add 5 seconds- each week until you are holding it for 45 seconds. At this point you can perform the exercise only twice if you continue to add 5 seconds each week until you build your holding time up to one minute.
Special hints
Although you will usually need considerable time before you can get the complete position as shown in Fig. 71, the
benefits to your body from the very first time that you practice the exercise.
Two main points are important for you to remember while perform The Complete Leg and Back Stretch:
1. Keep your legs straight at the knees. Every time you bend them are cheating yourself out of time and results.
2. Do not fidget or adjust yourself once you are holding the stretch. You retard your progress by doing so. As in all the
Yoga stretches hold it absolutely motionless in order to attain the full results.
When your hands come to be close to your ankles in the holding of posture, you can bend your toes back toward you in an attempt to them with your fingers.
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