Most Helpful Customer Reviews
78 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice series of short yoga practices at an intermediate level, December 13, 2004
This review is from: Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - 5 Volume Gift Set (Power Beauty Sweat, Total Body Tone with Weights, Flat Abs, Weight Loss, Sculpted Buns & Thighs) (DVD)
Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Minute Yoga Makeover series consists of 5 20-minute practices designed to help anyone find time to fit in yoga. Although the videos are being marketed to all levels, they do not contain detailed instruction and would not be appropriate for those new to yoga; in fact, many of the postures included are on a more intermediate level. Instructor Sara Ivanhoe's personality in this series is similar to her prior Crunch and Dummies videos: she is very down-to-earth, although some may find her language a bit patronizing at times.
My favorite practice of the series was Sculpted Buns & Thighs, which contained excellent leg stretches and hip openers. The other practice focusing on a specific area of the body is Flat Abs, which included some challenging plank work as well as Pilates-type abs exercises. Weight Loss and Power Beauty Sweat are both designed to build heat and burn more calories, mostly through adding additional movement rather than performing static poses. Both routines have a standing posture focus: the former moves through the warrior series, including the revolved postures, while the latter concentrates more on twisting postures. The final practice in the series, Total Body Tone with Weights, was my least favorite. Rather than using the weights to enhance the stretch in the postures, the weights felt like more of an add-on.
At the end of each practice, Sara concludes with a mudra, or yogic hand gesture, which is designed to seal in the benefits of the workout; these short meditations provided a nice introduction to some of the non-phyiscal aspects of yoga practice. Overall, this is a very good series for those who have had some prior experience with yoga but who are having trouble trying to find the time for a more regular yoga practice.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scootch it good!, December 24, 2005
This review is from: Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - 5 Volume Gift Set (Power Beauty Sweat, Total Body Tone with Weights, Flat Abs, Weight Loss, Sculpted Buns & Thighs) (DVD)
After trying many home yoga workouts, my current sweet spot for length is around 20 minutes. Any longer, and I start to get restless. Since my battle of the bulge requires more cardio, I like combining 20 or so minutes of it with a yoga or Pilates workout of the same length. So when I came across this set of five different 20-minute yoga workouts, I decided to give it a shot (I'll give almost anything a go if it motivates me to work out). I'm glad I did, because Ms. Ivanhoe has created an excellent series.
I've done a couple of Sara Ivanhoe's other yoga workouts, and I enjoy her style. An instructor can make or break a workout, and she consistently makes hers go well. Some yoga instructors prevent relaxation by barking like a drill instructor, and others are a bit too New-Agey (although Ms. Ivanhoe does nudge the spiritual plane by sealing each workout with a hand gesture, or "mudra."). Thankfully, Sara calls well, demonstrates the poses in a non-intimidating manner, and speaks in a relaxing and encouraging tone. Plus, gosh darn it, she's appealing in a wholesome sort of way. Indeed, it's quite charming when she encourages us to "scootch" in a pose.
The workouts are all twenty minutes long, and you can quickly skip the introductions to begin them. They differ from each other based on their purpose. For example, "Total Body Tone With Weights" incorporates light neoprene dumbbells to provide extra muscle work, and "Weight Loss" moves through the salutations faster to raise the heart rate for burning calories. I enjoyed all of the routines, although the "Flat Abs" one was a bit hard on my shoulders and chest due to many plank repetitions. However, Ms. Ivanhoe does suggest easier modifications throughout the series. As an added feel-good bonus, all of the routines are set in a beautiful tropical ocean-side area.
"Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Minute Yoga Makeover - 5 Volume Gift Set" is a good (and reasonably priced) addition to any home workout library, especially if you are pressed for time, or want to combine yoga with other types of exercise to shake up your routine and ease the monotony. Additional shorter and/or segmented yoga workouts I like include the "Quick Fix - Power Yoga Workout," "Baron Baptiste - Journey Into Power Level 2," and some of Karen Voight's yoga routines (like the one on "Slim Physique"). Now get out there and scootch it!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally Found "The One", October 28, 2005
This review is from: Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - 5 Volume Gift Set (Power Beauty Sweat, Total Body Tone with Weights, Flat Abs, Weight Loss, Sculpted Buns & Thighs) (DVD)
I have tried many different types of Yoga DVDs. Most of them I got bored with due to the overemphasis on meditation as opposed to stretching. I'd wonder if I had the right pose.. and some videos would take me on a tour of the ocean or sky.
This one was different.
Sarah talks you through all the poses, making it easy to not watch the screen while you're attempting to do these stretches. You can glance over and see what she's doing in the process.
I like how this set is composed of multiple yoga dvds all targeting different areas within a 20 minute period, instead of just one that takes an hour. You can do each alone one day a week, or you can combine them for an even greater stretch.
She makes lots of great recommendations and reminds you to go at your own pace.
I didn't find this an "intensive" workout.. but I enjoyed it after my workout or in the mornings. It was a nice stretch for me. I usually do FIRM, Kathy Smith, Cathe, or some other form of cardio at some point during the day. I love the leg stretches.
Don't get me wrong, this IS strength training-- but it's relaxing. I find that my arms and sholders really get worked.
The music was also enjoyable. This exercise was relaxing.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
