Yoga is the broader practice, and Pilates is the more focused workout. If you want to get stronger through your middle with careful, repeated exercises, start with Pilates. If you also want breathing, stretching and a long rest at the end, start with yoga. Plenty of people end up doing both, and in Malta you can often do that without changing studio.
What is the difference between yoga and Pilates?
| Yoga | Pilates | |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | Developed in India over many centuries, with roots in philosophy and meditation | Created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century as an exercise system |
| Main focus | Poses, breath and relaxation together | Controlled strength, especially in the trunk, with posture and alignment |
| How a class moves | Held poses or flowing sequences, depending on style | Small, precise exercises, repeated a set number of times |
| Breathing | A central part, sometimes taught as its own practice | Used to support each movement |
| Equipment | A mat, plus blocks, straps or a hammock in some classes | A mat, or a spring-loaded machine called a reformer |
| Stillness | Usually ends with lying still | Rarely any, and most of the class is exercise |
| Spiritual side | Varies from none to chanting and philosophy | None |
| Range of classes | Very wide, from restorative to power | Narrower, from gentle mat to strong reformer |
Those are the patterns, and individual teachers vary. A vinyasa class can feel like a workout, and a good Pilates teacher will care about your breathing too. Our guide to choosing a yoga style shows how far apart yoga classes can be.
Which should you choose for your goal?
Strength. The NHS lists both as muscle-strengthening activities, so either can count towards its advice to do strength work at least twice a week. Pilates tends to get there more directly, particularly on a reformer. Power and ashtanga yoga are demanding too.
Flexibility. Yoga usually spends more time here. Yin and slower hatha classes are the obvious choices.
Stress and sleep. Yoga has the edge in format, because breathing and relaxation are built into the class, although results vary from person to person.
Back pain. Do not choose on this basis alone. A 2022 Cochrane review of yoga found small improvements compared with no exercise, and probably similar results to other back-focused exercise. A 2015 Cochrane review of Pilates found no high-quality evidence and no conclusive proof that it beats other exercise. Both reviews point towards personal preference, cost and availability. If your back pain is severe, new or getting worse, see your doctor or a physiotherapist first.
Fitness. Neither replaces cardiovascular exercise. The NHS suggests strength work in addition to at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, so a swim or a brisk walk along the coast still has a place in your week.
If you are pregnant, have a health condition or are recovering from an injury, check with your doctor or midwife before you start either one.
Which Malta providers teach both?
These are the active providers in our directory that list yoga and Pilates. Timetables change, so check before you go.
| Provider | Area | Yoga | Pilates | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Yoga | Sliema, Qormi | Non-heated, heated and aerial | Pilates at Dingli Street, plus reformer in Sliema and Qormi | One membership covers every location; booking is mandatory |
| Freemyme | Sliema | Vinyasa, hatha, ashtanga, restorative | Pilates in FLOW classes; reformer in groups of up to six | Some FLOW classes are held outdoors |
| The Breathing Space | Sliema | Weekly yoga | Weekly Pilates | Small groups; pre-booking needed |
| Feel at Harmony | Msida | Hatha, restorative, yoga nidra | On the timetable | Classes are also streamed live on Zoom |
| Tropical Temple | San Ġwann | Hot yoga, hot power, warm flow | Hot Pilates | Heated studio; capped at 20 |
| Momos HotYoga Malta | Mosta | Heated and non-heated styles | Listed; check the timetable | Mat and locker included with a single pass |
| RaYoga Malta | Attard, Żebbuġ | Mixed into one class | Mixed into one class | Also Qigong; free consultation first |
| Anna Aerial | Buġibba | Aerial | Mat and power Pilates | No walk-ins; book and pay online |
| Cynergi | St Julian’s | Hatha and general yoga | On the group timetable | Included with membership; no drop-in price for yoga |
| Westin Dragonara | St Julian’s | Vinyasa flow | Listed | For resort guests; ask if non-guests can attend |
| YUE Malta | Naxxar | Yoga & Active Stretching, Mondays as of June 2026 | Tuesdays as of June 2026 | Pre-booking required |
| Movement Lab at Verdala | Rabat | Small-group yoga | Listed; ask for details | Day pass or membership for non-residents |
| Riviera Spa Resort | Marfa Bay | Traditional, aerial, sunrise session | Listed | Ask the hotel for times and prices |
| Locanda La Gelsomina | Birgu | Private sessions | Teacher holds STOTT Pilates credentials | Ask if non-guests can book |
Two gaps stand out. None of these is on Gozo, so if you live there you will mostly find yoga. The south of Malta has very little choice too, with Birgu’s private sessions the only entry on this list. Elevist Wellness Centre in Naxxar is also worth a call if you mainly want Pilates. Its main offer is Pilates alongside a physiotherapy practice, but we could not confirm whether yoga is still running.
How can you try both in Malta for less?
A single group class usually costs between €10 and €25, with the middle of the market around €14.50. A short pack at one studio is often the cheapest way to compare the two.
- Island Yoga’s 3-class pack is €49, valid for 30 days at all its studios.
- Freemyme’s intro starter is €50 for 3 classes, studio or reformer, valid for 15 days from first use.
- Momos HotYoga Malta offers new students 7 days of unlimited classes for €30.
- Feel at Harmony in Msida lists a €10 drop-in, which makes two trial classes easy to afford.
- RaYoga Malta mixes both in a single class, if you would rather not choose yet.
Reformer Pilates can cost more. Freemyme lists reformer classes at €30 each, plus €15 for grip socks if you do not have your own. At Island Yoga, the 8-class, 12-class and unlimited monthly memberships include reformer, but they have a 3-month minimum. Compare current rates on prices.
Does Malta’s climate change the choice?
A little. Hot versions of both exist here, and Malta’s summers are already warm and humid, so think carefully before adding a heated room in July. Tropical Temple runs hot Pilates alongside hot yoga, and our hot yoga guide explains who should avoid heated classes.
In August it is also worth checking opening hours, and asking if the room you will be in has air conditioning. As always, the best studio is usually the one you can reach without sitting in traffic. Browse all studios by area, and if you are starting yoga from scratch, learn a few basic poses first.