Customer Reviews

Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - Power Beauty Sweat

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In Power Beauty Sweat, instructor Sara Ivanhoe does not rely on a traditional series of sun salutations to build heat in the body; rather, she adds movement to standing postures to intensify. She begins in a seated position with a simple side stretch and twist, then moves to kneeling for a kneeling side stretch (gate pose) and side plank. From here, the practice evolves to standing postures, including fan pose, a standing twist, and chair--each pose is repeated with movement and then a twist to both sides. Balance work comes in the form of eagle pose, and then there is a series consisting of dog pose, lunge, runner's stretch, and cow (or bull) performed to both sides. Dolphin pose further strengthens the arm muscles, and finally, there is a lying hamstring stretch. As with all the practices in this series, Ivanhoe ends with a mudra--or yogic hand gesture--using a detoxification mudra here.

Despite the title, I felt only minimal sweat as a result of this practice; it definitely did not build as much heat as a power yoga routine. However, the large number of included twists felt wonderful for my spine, and the excellent hip openers felt great as well. Instructor Sara Ivanhoe's personality in this practice 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. Overall, this is a nice, short yoga routine for focusing on standing postures and streching the spine and hips.

I would recommend this for the days that you want to do 'something' but aren't up for anything too vigorous.
For me, the intermediate self-taught yoga practitioner, it wasn't as challenging as I had expected. I only broke a very slight sweat, however, I have to admit that after the workout I really did feel GREAT for the rest of the day.
If you're looking for more vigorous yoga I recommend Sarah Ivanhoe's Crunch Fat Blasting Yoga workout.

I chose this separate DVD because of price, the instructor and the 20 minute factor. I have been doing Yoga on and off for the last couple of years but have recently been doing it twice a week. I liked this DVD because the moves were not the typical sun salutations taking up the beginning and the positions were challenging. As an intermediate on the lower end of the spectrum the 20 minutes worked. I did not sweat but I felt it in my legs the next day. The short session can almost guarantee that I will do this frequently by itself or along with a 30 minute cardio. I will probably look for the set to see what the others are like.

Another enjoyable and quick yoga workout, though as with the previous review, I barely broke a sweat. I like this DVD when I'm pressed for time and need to fit in something.

Power Beauty Sweat is another video in Sara's 20 Minute Yoga Makeover series and it's my favorite of the ones that I have tried. I wouldn't necessarily agree with the title as other reviewers but I still enjoyed this practice quite a bit. I really enjoyed the scenery which is a backdrop of the mountains and ocean in Hawaii, very colorful.

You start by sitting on the floor in a cross legged position, you will first do a side lean to each side then a spinal twist. Then you will come onto your knees for gate pose, where one leg is extended out and you lean over it. You have the option of moving into stage 2 which is putting your arm behind you, I personally skip this. Then you move into a side plank pose with a straight arm, this was tough for me, I may do this one on my elbow next time. The option of moving into stage 2 by putting your arm behind you is given again here. Gate and plank are then repeated on the other side.

Then you will stand for fan pose, adding twists to each side before moving into a standing twist. This is followed by chair pose twist, and eagle pose with a shoulder stretch. You finish out with a nice series of poses such as downward facing dog, lunge stretch, hamstring stretch, cow pose, dolphin pose and a quadricep stretch while lying on your front. Then you will end up in a cross legged position with a Mudra hand gesture.

I would consider myself intermediate at best in yoga, I expected this practice to be harder than it was, though some poses were tougher for me than others. But overall a very nice practice, I like doing this one in the mornings especially. I like Sara Ivanhoe as an instructor and seem to click with her style of yoga. Overall I give this one 4 and a half stars.

I give this DVD 5 stars. That said, I can see how other might not feel challenged enough by it. I'm a beginner and not in the greatest shape. This video was challenging for me, yet easiest enough that I could make it all the way through. Sara does give variations a few times for the more advanced yogi. I did break a small sweat and felt refreshed afterwards. I'll continue to do this DVD and recommend it to other beginner/intermediates. It's great when you're crunched for time.

No, I don't sweat doing this workout, but I sure do feel great. Doing all those twisting poses makes me think that there is something to this "twisting poses are great for your digestion" claim.

I love this DVD. It is quick, and although it seems to be very easy, I have seen noticable, physical results from using her 20-minute videos 3 days a week.

I keep coming back to Sara Ivanhoe - I have the Abs, Legs/Butt & Weight Loss titles already - because I like the moderate effort level, the repeated reminders to do what's best for my own body, and the general approach. No regrets and great way to spend 20 minutes!

I found this video to be a lot easier than I had expected and did not break much of a sweat. But I did enjoy the twists and poses she chose and will do this video again. I will just have to do some weights or another video after to feel that I've really done some work. All in all, Sara is a good teacher with a pleasent attitude but I did notice the left side not getting as much time as the right. (althought it was slight)