Search - Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Min Yoga Makeover - Flat Abs on DVD

A challenging yoga practice to strengthen the core muscles

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 11/28/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In this 20 minute video, instructor Sara Ivanhoe leads a challenging yoga practice aimed at strengthening your core abdominal muscles. She begins with standing side bends, adding a twist with a knee lift. Next comes some additional seated stretches with forward bends, twists, and spine rolls. Sara then moves to an all-fours position and leads some particularly challenging work moving from down dog to plank pose with one leg pulled in towards your chest. This is followed by some additional seated twists, including a twisting boat pose. Lying on your back, you'll then perform Pilates-like abs moves such as criss-cross, bicycle, and stretches with both bent and straight legs. You'll also perform a half sit up with the legs both bent and stright as well as side knee drops with the legs both bent and straight.

Although the box for this video says that it is "designed for all abilities," this is a tough, challening practice which is likely to feel overwhelming for beginners. The practice is best suited to those with some level of prior yoga experience as well as some pre-existing core strength. Sara's personality is very similar to her Crunch and Dummies videos: she is very down-to-earth, although some might find her language to be somewhat patronizing. Overall, if you like Sara, have done yoga before, and want to focus more on your core, this might be a good video for you."

Creative Core Conditioning

Rebecca Johnson | Washington State | 04/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sara Ivanhoe's 20 minute makeovers are not only challenging, they are all highly creative. The Flat Abs Makeover includes:

Intro
Core Warm Up
Core Work
Deep Core Work
Upper Abs Work
Letting Go - a stress release mudra

Special Features:

Health & Diet Tips
Workout to Music without Narration

The exercises are definitely intermediate because Sara has modified the yoga exercises to be more challenging. While standing and twisting, you are also lifting your knee. If you have excellent balance or experience doing many yoga exercises, this won't seem that difficult and you will enjoy the new variation.

If you have yet to try "plank" where you are holding your body weight up in an "at the top" of a pushup style position, then you can imagine how difficult it would be to also pull a knee in to your chest or imagine lifting your leg up into the air behind you. The arm strength needed for these exercises goes beyond beginner, although you could work your way into the exercises over time. I loved the boat pose with a twist and the variations to exercises I had already learned from yoga practice.

The exercises in this workout will encourage a flatter, trimmer tummy and improved posture. Due to the fast pace of this workout, you may want to warm up first with some walking. I like the Leslie Sansone Power Mile - also only 20 minutes. So, in 40 minutes you can be on your way to achieving your fitness goals. I adore all the Sara Ivanhoe workouts because she has a comforting teaching style and her creativity is especially impressive.

If you enjoy her teaching style, you may also want to look for Crunch Candlelight Yoga. It is my absolute favorite yoga workout with candles. A must-have if you need to relax before bed and want to fall into a dreamy sleep.

~The Rebecca Review
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Really nice light yoga practice

Anonymous | Midwest | 01/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This yoga practice is fairly easy and flows nicely from one pose to another. I use it as a cool down after more intense workouts or by itself when I'm feeling stressed. I honestly don't think it's very effective at getting your abs in shape, but it does provide excellent stretching after a more strenuous abdominal workout. (I like the abs workouts in Tamilee Webb's I Want That Body dvd). The reason I gave this dvd five stars is because the practice is very relaxing, yet invigorating! Sara Ivanhoe ends the routine with a mudra, or yoga hand gesture, to "seal in the practice." I was suprised at how good I feel by the time we get to the mudra, and I love the way I feel when I'm done. Unlike so many other workout dvds I've purchased, this one doesn't just collect dust. I use it over and over."