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

Add a toning aspect to your yoga practice

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 11/19/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Good Quick Yoga Workout

Ann Sauriol | Arizona USA | 09/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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! :-)"

Great for warm-up or light days

Nichol | 05/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Weights and Yoga? Ugh.

lady detective | east coat | 12/23/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"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."