Pilates Is Booming – But Are You Missing Out?

Pilates has really taken off over the past couple of years. Everywhere I look, new reformer studios are popping up, and it seems like everyone’s hopping on the Pilates train! And don’t get me wrong, Pilates is brilliant. It builds core strength, improves posture, and gives you the satisfying burn that everyone loves. But here’s the thing: if Pilates is all you’re doing, you might be missing out on something truly transformative.

Yoga.

Let me explain.

Back in the 2010s, when I first trained as a teacher, yoga was booming. Studios were packed, people were excited, and Pilates was the quieter sibling in the corner. Fast forward to today, and the tables have turned. Pilates is trending, Instagramable, and a lot of people are following the crowd.  While I love that more people are moving, I can’t help but feel that many are overlooking the depth and richness that yoga brings.

I’ve never really been someone who jumps on mainstream trends just because they are fashionable.

I tend to be drawn to what feels deeper, meaningful, and supportive of long-term wellbeing. So when something suddenly becomes the thing everyone is doing, I often find myself pausing and asking: is this what we need, or is it just fashionable at the moment?

This has influenced everything I’ve created at Meridian Yoga and Pilates. I wanted a studio that is heart led and aligns with my personal values and practice.

Yoga isn’t just stretching or relaxation. It’s an ancient, spiritual practice. A way of life.

Twenty-seven years ago, I started mat Pilates and loved how calm and strong it made me feel. But when I discovered yoga, it was next level! I felt like I was opening a rich, colourful treasure chest. I was fascinated with its history and philosophy.  It didn’t just change how I moved; it changed how I thought about myself, my relationships, and the world around me.

Yoga is also strength, stability, flow, and mindfulness all in one.

Flowing Vinyasa Yoga sequences build strength in unexpected ways, challenge your balance, and develop mobility at the same time.

Yin Yoga taps into stillness, working deeply into the connective tissues to support hydration and elasticity. Over time, this can improve mobility, flexibility, and joint health. Things that beautifully complement the strength, stability and control Pilates offers.

This is why I feel so passionate about having both yoga and mat pilates on the schedule at Meridian Yoga and Pilates in the East End of Glasgow.

Think of it this way: pilates gives you the engine, yoga gives you the chassis. Together, they create a body that’s strong, fluid, adaptable, and resilient. You’re not just following a trend, you’re building a body that functions well and feels good to live in.

If I’m being honest, I’ve struggled to buy into the reformer boom. They’re expensive, just one piece of equipment amongst many, and I don’t believe they’re essential for a well-rounded practice.

Reformers were originally developed as a rehabilitation tool, to help people recover from injury and return to the mat. Yes, they can be fantastic. But all you really need is your body and a mat. Yoga and mat pilates can give strength, mobility, flow, and calm without adding machines. For me, that simplicity is beautiful.

So here’s my invitation: if you’re loving Pilates just now, don’t stop there. Explore yoga. Flow, stretch, strengthen, and breathe. Don’t just follow the crowd. Pause and look at what’s in front of you.

When yoga and Pilates come together, they amplify everything we love about movement: strength, flexibility, balance, and mental clarity.

It’s not about Pilates or Yoga.

It’s about Pilates and Yoga.

Don’t miss out.

Meridian Yoga and Pilates Studio is easy to access from all parts of the city and just a 10-minute drive from Glasgow City Centre.

You can view our yoga and pilates schedule here 

About the Author

Michelle Lang is a Senior Yoga Teacher, Shamanic Practitioner, and Reiki Master. She owns Meridian Yoga and Pilates in the heart of the East End of Glasgow, a welcoming space offering yoga and pilates in Glasgow for all levels. Michelle has been teaching yoga for over 13 years, guiding students with a holistic, accessible, and inclusive approach that connects mindful movement, breath, and body awareness. Her classes and teacher training focus on Vinyasa Flow, Yin, energy work, and the body’s natural wisdom, helping people cultivate strength, mobility, and a deep sense of wellbeing.