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25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A flowing series of standing posees, December 5, 2004
This review is from: Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - Weight Loss (DVD)
In 20 Minute Yoga Makeover: Weight Loss, instructor Sara Ivanhoe connects various series of poses--or vinyasas--in a flowing manner. Although she repeatedly states that the addition of movement in the poses (namely moving the arms while inhaling and exhaling) will keep your heart rate up and contribute to weight loss, the practice isn't nearly aerobic enough for this purpose. However, the practice is well-suited to those who prefer greater movement in postures (sometimes associated with viniyoga) rather than holding static poses for a longer length of time.
Sara begins with a chair pose vinyasa, adding arm movement and a forward bend and linking the series with breath; this is followed by a standing backbend combined with forward bend series. Next comes a vinyasa that is repeated throughout the workout: you move from plank to cobra to down dog, again combining the series with breath. From a 3-legged down dog position, Sara leads you into several series of standing poses: she begins with triangle/revolved triangle, moves on to warrior/side angle pose/revolved side angle in the next series, and finishes with crescent lunge/revolved crescent lunge. She completes the plank-cobra-down dog vinyasa between each series, eventually substituting upward dog for cobra. Finally, the practice ends in a seated position with head-to-knee pose and a brief hand mudra. Overall, this is a nicely flowing 20-minute practice with a standing pose focus.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
This DVD cracks me up., June 28, 2006
This review is from: Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - Weight Loss (DVD)
As my title says, this DVD really does crack me up. First off, let me say that I like this workout. It really is 20 minutes, and it's nice and relaxing. I had never done yoga before, so it was a great introduction in that way. And Ivanhoe is very likeable and instructive.
The reason this DVD is so funny that, well, the workout is tailored for weight loss. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but this typically means that the person doing the workout has a few, or several, extra lbs to lose.
I have a mirror in my room so when I'm doing this workout I can watch myself. If I dare. I look like an elephant who has decided to become a ballerina. Basically, I've had to "modify" some of the moves so that I can actually perform them! It's just not possible for my body to do the same things that a 120-pound body can.
My only other complaint is that the workout doesn't always keep the heart rate high enough. I don't really consider it a "cardio" workout. Overall, I like to use this DVD for a relax-at-the-end-of-a-long-day kind of workout.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Spiritually Cleansing Flowing Routine, August 6, 2006
This review is from: Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - Weight Loss (DVD)
As you move faster through these exercises, you may feel your body heating and your heart beating a little faster. This is definitely a cardiovascular workout with aesthetic appeal. You have a beach in the background with waves gently lapping at the shore. Sara Ivanhoe exercises on the grass and you feel like you are at the beach.
The deliciously challenging twists were the highlight of this practice session. The Vinyasa sections are exciting and challenging and you move from plank to cobra to down dog. Then she ups the challenge with a flowing series that moves into an upward facing dog.
The active postures make this an invigorating and calorie-burning workout that also strengthens the arms and tones the entire body.
The special features on this DVD include a section where you can select to workout without narration and you can view pictures of the postures.
The 20-minute Yoga routines are very healing and especially fun. If you have 20-40 minutes you can get an excellent workout with added emotional benefits. I always feel spiritually cleansed and physically energized after a Sara Ivanhoe routine. I hope she continues to make more DVDs because I love her positive energy. These 20-minute routines are like Yoga Vacations.
~The Rebecca Review
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