What’s Yoga Plus Pilates?

Peloton offers members a wide variety of yoga and Pilates classes, but did you know that late last year they rolled out new “Yoga Plus Pilates” (AKA Yoga + Pilates) classes with the amazing Anna Greenberg? These workouts balance the intensity of powerful Pilates moves with the flexibility that many yoga poses provide. Under Anna’s guidance, these classes will make you feel stronger and stretched out at the same time. Let’s explore more about Yoga plus Pilates classes at Peloton and why you should  integrate them into your fitness routine.

Yoga vs Pilates – What’s the Difference?

Yoga

Yoga is a centuries-old practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and elements of meditation to promote flexibility, balance, and mental clarity. Peloton’s Vinyasa yoga classes range from beginner-friendly flows to advanced Power Yoga sessions (and even Yoga conditioning Classes that involve light hand weights). The platform also provides more restful Restorative classes and slower moving Yin yoga, helping you unwind, de-stress, and tune into your body. Despite losing two of the members of the yoga instructor team last year, Peloton continues to provide an ample array of classes in this modality while helping members understand the benefits of adding yoga to their fitness practices. 

Pilates

Similarly, the Pilates offerings on Peloton are also mat-based workouts of varying intensities. As a discipline, Pilates is a low-impact workout that focuses on core strength, alignment, and controlled movements. It was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, a physical trainer who initially created the method as a form of rehabilitation for injured soldiers and dancers. Originally called “Contrology,” the practice emphasizes precise, deliberate movements to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture. But don’t let the “low impact” moniker fool you – these classes can be very challenging for many, because they call upon muscles we don’t engage as often as we should. Peloton helps members learn more about the benefits of Pilates here. 

Where are the Yoga, Pilates, and Yoga Plus Pilates Classes?

Both yoga and Pilates classes are offered weekly live and On Demand, and some are curated into Collections and Programs.

     

Yoga has its own tab, and Pilates classes are under the Strength tab.

So you may be wondering, if Anna’s new classes are a combination of yoga and Pilates, where are they? For now, they are only found under the Yoga tab. After clicking on Yoga, filter by Class Type for “Yoga plus Pilates” to view the current offerings.

Hopefully they will be bundled into a Collection soon, but as of this writing, these are the classes you can access On Demand, with new live classes on the schedule most weeks. (Tip – follow Anna on Instagram where she will tell you when new classes are coming up or appear directly into the library!)

Why Yoga Plus Pilates Classes Need to Find a Place in Your Routine

The benefits of yoga and Pilates are well established, and combining elements of both modalities into a single 30 or 45-minute workout makes for a masterclass you won’t want to miss.

• Flexibility: Yoga’s stretching sequences can improve range of motion, while Pilates’ controlled movements enhance muscle elasticity.
• Core Strength: Both practices engage your core, but Pilates takes it up a notch with targeted exercises.
• Mind-Body Connection: Yoga emphasizes mindfulness and breathwork, while Pilates requires focus and precision, creating a unique meditative experience in both.

 

What Does a Yoga Plus Pilates Class Feel Like?

I do a solid amount of yoga and Pilates classes with Peloton, and Anna has long been one of my favorite instructors. If you have never tried either, I do recommend dipping your toes into both before trying the combo class. Particularly for Pilates, there is a pretty standard vocabulary of movements that you’ll want to be familiar with first. Anna does do a great job in explaining what to do for members at all levels, making these classes very accessible, but part of the fun here is the pace and the way we build heat. Knowing what to do and then executing it is part of the challenge and you’ll get more out of these classes if you feel confident going in.

That said, these are hummmmblinnnnnng! Anna wasted no time kicking off this series with a 45-minute scorcher back in November, 2024 (this class was actually one of The Clip Out’s Top 5 Classes that week with yours truly and Crystal herself both noting that it was the “best kind” of hard!)

Why should a class that is technically half as difficult (because it’s half as long) as a full-length Pilates class be so challenging? In my experience it’s because:

• It’s a full body – and mind – workout. You are moving in subtle ways that you probably don’t usually, activating muscles that may be weaker than others… then wrapping your head around the work can be its own kind of challenge.
• The balance of shifting from yoga to Pilates feels like a boot camp in a way. When you take just yoga or just Pilates, you get into a kind of rhythm as the class progresses. With these, the switching keeps you – literally – on your toes.

 

How Anna Brings Her Signature Style

     

Generally these classes are structured with a traditional yoga warmup of Sun Salutations first, and then alternating segments of each discipline. Note that although the Peloton class plan says the Pilates sections are all “core,” in this particular class, for example (one of my favorites!), only the first was “ab” focused and the others were hip and glute focused. Also, Anna segmented the music perfectly with the work here, alternating her usual vibey yoga tunes with some major hip hop beats that get you pumped for the Pilates work. And if you remember last year’s Peloton commercial featuring members with “Tambourine” playing, well, there was a reason they picked that music, right? It’ll get you moving… gotta love that! ;)

Another special aspect of these classes is that Anna’s expert sequencing prevents them from feeling monotonous. If you have taken her yoga flows, you know that she is a master at building a beautiful rhythm, combining just the right touch of challenge and familiarity (and if you haven’t taken them, you should!). Here, even though each mini-section is distinct, she still blends the whole class so that there is build and repetition in the elements, making the entire workout feel unified. When you are working so hard, it means a lot to feel that the instructor took so much care to craft the workout so attentively!

So, what are you waiting for? Go add Yoga plus Pilates with Anna to your next Peloton class stack!

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