Rather than using the weights to enhance the stretch in the postures, the weights felt like more of an add-on. 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. I bought this 5 disc set to use as a morning workout as soon as I get out of bed. While Sarah appears alone in each of these workouts she gives instruction on modifications. 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.I love standing poses and these additions allow me to push my edge in a short amount of time.Sara begins with a chair pose vinyasa, adding arm movement and a forward bend and linking the series with breath; this is followed by a standing backbend combined with forward bend series.I don't have that happy, contented, stretched out feeling I usually get with yoga and that is a little disappointing.The Power Weight Loss workout is unlikely to help anyone lose weight, but it is a good short workout for flexibility and strength.In fact, I enjoy Sarah's thorough instruction and friendly manner so much I intend to purchase more of her yoga workouts.Ivanhoe has a warm, unaffected charm and doing her workouts is like practicing with a friend.The workouts end with a mudra (yogic hand gesture), which I have found helpful to keep me centered and relaxed throughout the day. The other other 20 min workout I am not crazy about is the yoga workout that includes weights, and I feel the weights are more of a hindrance. 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. Instructor Sara Ivanhoe begins the practice with a few brief stretches in a standing position then picks up the weights. I was looking forward to trying this video, as I was hoping that the weights would be used to enhance the yoga poses. I try and do the 20 min Abs Yoga after one of the other 20 min yoga workouts, and I really feel my abs the next day. Sara Ivanhoe: 20 Minute Yoga Makeover - Total Body Tone With Weights Next comes a warrior series where you hold your legs in the warrior position while working your arms with bicep curls and flies. Instead, this is more of a yoga practice with some toning work thrown in. I don't have that happy, contented, stretched out feeling I usually get with yoga and that is a little disappointing. Minute Yoga Makeover Series I think I will use it as an add on to total body workouts. I did feel it in my shoulders and upper arms, but I used 3 lb weights and did it after Burn and Firm Pilates. Sara begins with a chair pose vinyasa, adding arm movement and a forward bend and linking the series with breath; this is followed by a standing backbend combined with forward bend series. However, the practice is suited to those who prefer movement rather than static poses. Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Minute Yoga Makeover - Weight Loss (DVD, I am guessing this will be my least favorite of the 20 Min Makeover set...once I get them all. I hate to say it, since I love Sara, but this is not my favorite workout. She completes the plank-cobra-down dog vinyasa between each series, eventually substituting upward dog for cobra. I really enjoyed the mudra at the ending, it made me feel sort of in touch with myself and really did make me feel like I was "sealing in" the work I'd done. Additional Product Features 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.I felt a slight strain in my shoulder a few hours after I did this particular workout.Instead, this is more of a yoga practice with some toning work thrown in.The final practice in the series, Total Body Tone with Weights, was my least favorite.Overall, this is a nicely flowing 20-minute practice with a standing pose focus.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. Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Minute Yoga Makeover series consists of 5 20-minute practices designed to help anyone find time to fit in yoga. The set also includes 20 min. yoga workout for Hips and Thighs, which I also like. 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. I am just coming off a break after surgery and this was a great jump back into it.However, the practice is suited to those who prefer movement rather than static poses.The mudra doesn’t quite “seal in the practice” for me, so I usually add a brief final relaxation.The set also includes 20 min. yoga workout for Hips and Thighs, which I also like.My only complaint is if you want to do more than one workout it is impossible to run them together.I feel stretched as well as lightly worked out.I did feel it in my shoulders and upper arms, but I used 3 lb weights and did it after Burn and Firm Pilates. Minute Yoga Makeover - Weight Loss Next comes bridge pose while "bench pressing" the weights; the second set is performed on one leg, which was particularly challenging.I try and do the 20 min Abs Yoga after one of the other 20 min yoga workouts, and I really feel my abs the next day.I think I will use it as an add on to total body workouts.I have been practicing yoga for 6 years, and these were just right for my ability level.The routine consists of vinyasas with added arm movements to, supposedly, increase the calorie burn.The workouts are Power Weight Loss, Power Tone With Weights, Core Power, Lower Body Power, Power Sweat Detoxify, and On The Ball which is a bonus workout.I do not own a stability ball so I won't be using that workout.Finally, the practice ends in a seated position with head-to-knee pose and a brief hand mudra.While Sarah appears alone in each of these workouts she gives instruction on modifications. Next comes bridge pose while "bench pressing" the weights; the second set is performed on one leg, which was particularly challenging. Overall, this is a nicely flowing 20-minute practice with a standing pose focus. Finally, the practice ends in a seated position with head-to-knee pose and a brief hand mudra. Not over the top with flowery language (I don't mind that, but I know some do), great with explaining poses. I love standing poses and these additions allow me to push my edge in a short amount of time. But what makes this routine special is that, once things get rolling, Ivanhoe adds in extended leg down dogs and standing twists such as revolved crescent lunge and revolved triangle. 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. The final practice in the series, Total Body Tone with Weights, was my least favorite. With the exception of On The Ball, the workouts are 20 minutes each. Yoga Body Makeover Series with Sarah Ivanhoe is a 2 disc set with three workouts on each disk. A few additional stretches bring the practice to an end right at 20 minutes. Sara then moves to the floor with triceps/core balance work performed from a hands and knees position. I feel stretched as well as lightly worked out. I am just coming off a break after surgery and this was a great jump back into it. This is not pure yoga as Sarah incorporates some moves from Pilates and weight training. This is a significant annoyance which was foreseeable and should have been addressed when Natural Journeys"decided to re-release these workouts as a compilation. Lower Body Power is my favorite and is definitely a good lower body stretch. I felt a slight strain in my shoulder a few hours after I did this particular workout.Instead, this is more of a yoga practice with some toning work thrown in.This is a significant annoyance which was foreseeable and should have been addressed when Natural Journeys"decided to re-release these workouts as a compilation.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.The other other 20 min workout I am not crazy about is the yoga workout that includes weights, and I feel the weights are more of a hindrance.I had no dread factor coming in and it was over before I knew it!I was looking forward to trying this video, as I was hoping that the weights would be used to enhance the yoga poses. Minute Yoga Makeover - Total Body Tone with Weights I felt a slight strain in my shoulder a few hours after I did this particular workout. For some reason though, I sweat the most with the 20 min. I enjoy Sarah Ivanhoe's approach to yoga instruction. My only complaint is if you want to do more than one workout it is impossible to run them together. I do not own a stability ball so I won't be using that workout. The 20 min time on this is great for the dread factor.I really enjoyed the mudra at the ending, it made me feel sort of in touch with myself and really did make me feel like I was "sealing in" the work I'd done.Each of the workouts is high beginner or low intermediate level.Next comes bridge pose while "bench pressing" the weights; the second set is performed on one leg, which was particularly challenging.While Sarah appears alone in each of these workouts she gives instruction on modifications.I think I will use it as an add on to total body workouts.I try and do the 20 min Abs Yoga after one of the other 20 min yoga workouts, and I really feel my abs the next day.My favorite practice of the series was Sculpted Buns & Thighs, which contained excellent leg stretches and hip openers.The final practice in the series, Total Body Tone with Weights, was my least favorite. Additional Product Features Beth did a great job of explaining poses and the basics of the dvd, so I will give my personal opinions. Ivanhoe has a warm, unaffected charm and doing her workouts is like practicing with a friend. The mudra doesn’t quite “seal in the practice” for me, so I usually add a brief final relaxation. She ends the practice, rather abruptly, with just one quick seated stretch (single-legged forward bend) and a mudra. This short, invigorating workout is a perfect practice for a busy schedule. Core Power seems simple compared to other core workouts I have, but it's surprisingly effective. The Power Weight Loss workout is unlikely to help anyone lose weight, but it is a good short workout for flexibility and strength. Each of the workouts is high beginner or low intermediate level. The workouts are Power Weight Loss, Power Tone With Weights, Core Power, Lower Body Power, Power Sweat Detoxify, and On The Ball which is a bonus workout. 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. My favorite practice of the series was Sculpted Buns & Thighs, which contained excellent leg stretches and hip openers. The workouts end with a mudra (yogic hand gesture), which I have found helpful to keep me centered and relaxed throughout the day. In fact, I enjoy Sarah's thorough instruction and friendly manner so much I intend to purchase more of her yoga workouts. Rather than using the weights to enhance the stretch in the postures, the weights felt like more of an add-on.Core Power seems simple compared to other core workouts I have, but it's surprisingly effective.With the exception of On The Ball, the workouts are 20 minutes each.She completes the plank-cobra-down dog vinyasa between each series, eventually substituting upward dog for cobra.Sara Ivanhoe's 20 Minute Yoga Makeover series consists of 5 20-minute practices designed to help anyone find time to fit in yoga.I hate to say it, since I love Sara, but this is not my favorite workout.A few additional stretches bring the practice to an end right at 20 minutes.I bought this 5 disc set to use as a morning workout as soon as I get out of bed. It flowed enough to keep me interested and feeling like I was working out, but not so much that I was very tired. I had no dread factor coming in and it was over before I knew it! The 20 min time on this is great for the dread factor. The routine consists of vinyasas with added arm movements to, supposedly, increase the calorie burn. It’s a true 20 minutes, as a matter of fact if you start the clock when the routine begins (and not at the introduction) then it’s really closer to 19 minutes. I have been practicing yoga for 6 years, and these were just right for my ability level. The set include Total Body Tone with Weights, Power Beauty Sweat, Sculpted Buns and Thighs, Weight Loss, and Flat Abs.