Customer Reviews

Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - Total Body Tone with Weights

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

 

 

I was looking forward to trying this video, as I was hoping that the weights would be used to enhance the yoga poses. Instead, this is more of a yoga practice with some toning work thrown in. Instructor Sara Ivanhoe begins the practice with a few brief stretches in a standing position then picks up the weights. She leads you through some standing shoulder work in mountain, tree, and chair poses and ends the segment in eagle pose, which I found a bit awkward with the weights. Next comes a warrior series where you hold your legs in the warrior position while working your arms with bicep curls and flies. Sara also does side angle pose, using the weights in sort of a one-arm row to an overhead lift, which I felt was a nice shoulder opener.

Sara then moves to the floor with triceps/core balance work performed from a hands and knees position. Next comes bridge pose while "bench pressing" the weights; the second set is performed on one leg, which was particularly challenging. A few additional stretches bring the practice to an end right at 20 minutes. Throughout the practice, Sara uses 2-lb. weights; I used 3 lbs., which I felt were too heavy for some of the earlier shoulder moves yet too light for the biceps and triceps work. Sara's personality in this video 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. I don't think that this video would appeal to those who are devoted to a more traditional yoga practice, but if you are hoping to do some light strength work with yoga stretches thrown in, this routine might be right for you.

I have been dabbling in yoga in order to increase my flexibility, and when I saw this series, I decided to give this one a try. It is rather easy to follow, even though the weights did make some of the poses (like the eagle) a little bit awkward. Even so, the workout goes by quickly, and some of the poses are a bit challenging. A good buy if you don't have time for a full hour of practice, or for the days you simply feel lazy but don't want to be a complete couch potato.

I am so excited about Sara's 20 Min.Yoga Makeovers! I own all 5 and use them everyday! I feel that I get a super workout and really enjoy her enthusiasm. She does an excellent job explaining poses and reminds you of your breathing! Because it is such a well-rounded, quick program, I know I can get through it even before I start. This is what keeps me popping in the dvd each morning and evening. The yoga poses are manageable for even the very beginner! I only wish I lived in Santa Monica where she teaches classes...good thing I have the tapes! :-)

I like Sara Ivanhoe. I think she does a lovely job narrating and instucting yoga. She's one of the few out there who can lead you through a pose while you're not looking at the screen. Sadly, this workout is just silly. If you want to work out with weights, don't do it with yoga poses... it is the antithesis of yoga, and it feels awful. Coming from someone (me) who works out with light weights, dances, and does pilates and yoga on a regular basis (changing it up daily to keep my body guessing, flexible and hopefully, fit) I found this workout nonsensical, and, sorry Sara, stupid.

I did this workout on a day where I didn't feel sick enough to skip my workout but not well enough to do a full 45 mins to an hour. I like Sara Ivanhoe as an instructor even if she occasionally over-explains (Her patient, lengthy explanation of how to hold the weights made me giggle. I think virtually 100% of the audience can figure out how to hold a dumbbell.) It's a nice mix but she's not kidding about the length; the whole thing clocks in at 22 minutes total which amounts to only a handful of poses-tree, eagle, side angle, bridge-combined with mostly standard weight moves. I recommend two sets of weights. 2 or 3 pounds is probably about right for tree and eagle or you risk throwing off your balance. For the rest of the workout though, I had to move up to 5 pounds to feel anything. I liked the side angle pose with the shoulder opener the best. You won't get much definition using this regularly but it's better than nothing and would be a nice workout for sick days, injuries or in combination with something else.

This is a nice addition to my normal workout rutine which was mostly cardio. Great for toning your arms. It's really easy so you don't dread doing it, but you can still feel that it's working your arms.