Precision in Practice: Where Pilates Meets Iyengar Yoga. We’re proud to collaborate with Northlake Yoga Studio in Wanaka. Sirpa, a qualified and experienced Iyengar yoga teacher, brings a wealth of knowledge and care to her teaching, creating a space where everybody is honoured and empowered.
Pilates and yoga are both mind-body practices that emphasise breath, alignment, and controlled movement. However, their origins and techniques differ. Yoga, with ancient roots in India, integrates spiritual and philosophical elements alongside physical postures. Pilates, developed in the 20th century by Joseph Pilates, focuses more on core strength, stability, and rehabilitation. Both disciplines share a commitment to mindful movement and body awareness.
Among the many styles of yoga, Iyengar stands out for its meticulous attention to detail. Like Pilates, it meets the body where it is — using props and modifications to support alignment and safety. This shared philosophy makes the two practices highly complementary, especially for those recovering from injury or seeking deeper body intelligence.
Guruji B.K.S Iyengar has said: ” Yoga uses the body -the container- to touch the content -the soul”.
Wanaka Massage & Pilates, Health coaching with Body Recharge 