Strength Redefined: The Mindset in Yoga, Pilates, and Traditional Fitness

Strength… Our society seems to be obsessed with it… For many of you, the first image that comes to mind when I stay strong may be an athlete going past their limits, a weightlifter, or someone with highly defined muscles and endurance that seems inhuman. In the traditional fitness world, strength is often measured in how much we lift, how fast we run, how long we last under pressure, and how enduring we are in our heavy practice… But, what does it truly mean to be strong?

Well, strength is far more than just a weight number or a physical appearance. Strength, if we were to really dive into it, is nothing else but resilience and complete balance, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. Strength is knowing when to push and when to rest. When to endure and when to let go. In yoga, Pilates, and traditional fitness, strength has many different forms. Each of these practices offers valuable lessons about the ways we tend to engage with our bodies and minds, and how we should be doing so.

In this blog post, we will explore these three disciplines and how they define strength. In the end, we will also try to embrace all of them with their wisdom, creating a balanced approach to body movement and strength.

The Traditional Fitness Perspective on Strength

The fitness industry has been on the rise for the last half a century. And, it has excelled in creating a particular view of strength - strength is power, performance, endurance, and striving. In classical gyms, you can often find people building muscles, increasing their resistance, improving their stamina, and pushing their endurance. Naturally, this kind of strength is measurable - you can lift heavier weights, run longer and faster, and increase your active exercise times.

And yes, there is a value in this perspective of strength. First of all, it builds muscle and bone density, enhances metabolism, and with that, aids overall physical health. Furthermore, this perspective of strength focuses on and teaches values like discipline, perseverance, consistent effort, and working toward a goal. However, traditional fitness also pushes the “no pain, no gain” mentality, implying that only discomfort and pain can lead to progress and recognition.

Although effort is important, this paradigm may bring injury, burnout, frustration, and complete ignoring of the body’s need for balance between tension and relaxation. We have another blog that tackles the same unrealistic ideals posed by popular yoga influencers, exploring the physical perspective more deeply. Head over there to learn more about the ways yoga has become all about the “show” and what can you do to have an authentic yoga practice.

In short, yoga and Pilates bring a fresh perspective to the “strength measured by results” paradigm.

Yoga’s Approach to Strength: The Balance of Effort and Ease

In yoga, strength is a diverse term that incorporates numerous aspects of the practice. And not, strength in yoga is not about holding a plank, keeping an asana, or doing a Vinyasa practice effortlessly. It’s about inner stability, remaining present and consciously breathing. In yoga, strength is the perfect balance between effort and ease, or as yogis call it - "sthira" (steadiness) and "sukha" (ease).

Naturally, some yoga poses require some form of physical strength. Warrior II, for example, exercises our core and legs but relaxes our shoulders. It also prompts endurance and core engagement and requires a steady breath and a calm mind. In yoga, strength is found in stillness, awareness, and patience. It is also found in listening to our bodies, respecting our limits, and giving our bodies what they need.

Aside from the physical, yoga cultivates mental and emotional strength. When we breathe through the discomfort on our mats, we build resilience for all kinds of difficulties. By practicing calmness during a difficult pose, we are training our minds and bodies to face difficulties with steadiness and grace. At Northern Light Yoga, we teach strength as a holistic yoga approach, where the true essence of the practice is valued, honored, and taught.

Pilates: Core Strength and Mind-Body Connection

While traditional fitness may promote external strength, and yoga is all about internal balance, pilates is somewhere in the golden middle. Pilates was developed by Joseph Pilates. He aimed to focus on core strength, precision, and body control. But, instead of lifting heavy weights, mat Pilates engages our deep muscles to create stability and power from within.

In Pilates, every movement comes from the “core”, or the so-called "powerhouse" of the body. So, in pilates, strength is the intentional, controlled movement of our body. It promotes spinal alignment, posture improvement, functional strength, muscle exercise, and increase of mobility in joints.

Aside from the physicality of things, Pilates deepens the mind-body connection, as awareness and precision are cores of the practice. Instead of rushing through the exercises, and striving for “better, faster, stronger,” it encourages endurance, strength, and alignment with mindfulness, focus, and self-engagement. Northern Light Yoga Pilates classes in Oslo teach core strength training as a quality, and not as a quantity. Our practice encourages us to define strength not just as how much we do but how well we do it. And, of course, how much we enjoy it.

Bridging the Mindset Gap: Integrating Strength Across Practices

Traditional fitness, yoga, and pilates, all offer something different and unique, in their way. But, they are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, combining their perspectives on strength and adjusting those perspectives to our personal needs can lead to a sustainable and constructive practice for each of us. So, some people may lack the presence of yoga, while others may benefit more from the structure and discipline of fitness. The main point is for us to keep growing, to become better than we were yesterday, and to stop for a second, recognize and appreciate things as they are, while we strive to be better.

Traditional fitness can teach us discipline and measurable progress. If you need to feel empowered by setting physical goals, consistently working on them, and achieving them, this is a great practice for you.

Yoga teaches us to be present, mindful, and in internal balance. Strength is not about actions, but about awareness, stability, and breath. This practice is great for people who need to slow down and enjoy, find balance in their lives, and focus on the beauty of just being.

Last but not least, Pilates helps us develop core strength, precision, and full-body engagement. In this practice, strength is functional - we learn how to move better, align our body and posture, and engage in the workout with full presence.

If we want to redefine strength, we can present it as multi-dimensional and versatile. We can confine these mindsets - strength becomes how much we lift, how well we move, how present we are, and how connected we feel to our own bodies. So, strength becomes what we need it to be, with each passing moment. Sometimes - endurance, other times - slowing down.

Tips for Cultivating a Balanced Strength Mindset

For one, it’s important to listen to your body and be in touch with what it says to you. Some days, you may need a heavy workout with weights lifting. On other days, it might be best to engage in gentle yoga flow that allows you to be calm and present. If you listen and honor your body, strength will be a constant part of your mindset, changing its meaning as your needs change.

Next, it’s important to make mindfulness part of your daily habit. Whether you’re hitting the gym, are on the mat, or have a Pilates session, if you are fully present, you can enjoy the benefits of the practice to the fullest. Be present in your movement and focus on quality over quantity. To learn ways to incorporate mindfulness in your everyday life, read our writings on the topic.

Rest is part of strength, and recovery and assimilation of what we have done are as important as the effort we put into our practice. It is only in the duality of action and stillness, that we can appreciate both of them. So, make rest an integral part of your mobility.

Furthermore, it’s important to explore and try different forms of movement. If we combine pilates and yoga, we can have both structure and fluidity in our journey of strength. At Northern Light Yoga, we offer both of these practices at special discounts for our clients, so you are welcome to join in, open yourself to exploration, and soak up all the benefits that different practices offer. A holistic approach is a balanced way of moving forward in life, with both flexibility and discipline.

A Call for the Strong in Spirit

Strength is not just about muscles, weight, or a defined body. It’s about endurance, balance, and the ability to move through life with both power and grace. And, strength can be found in the gym, at the yoga mat, and during a Pilates class. Each approach has something valuable to offer, if we are aware of what your body needs and wants at the moment.

At our yoga studio, we celebrate strength in all its forms. Whether you're looking to build resilience, deepen your mind-body connection, or simply try out new ways to move, we invite you to join us. Let’s redefine strength together—one breath, one movement, and one moment of awareness at a time.