How DDP Yoga Changed My Life

What makes my story unique is that I am an avid runner. I run an average of 35 miles a week for cardio, and for fun. I enjoyed running for speed and distance long before I ever tried this program. I am not a professional athlete or anything, however, I consider myself pretty well-conditioned. For example in my 5 mile, 50 minute workout I can run my 1st mile in 6:41. Not bad, right? Ironically, "DDP Yoga" was able to teach me the importance of breathing correctly, before running countless miles ever could. The truth is breathing controls your mind, body, and your spirit. If you're sick and tired of the life you're currently living, if you're ready to get up and own the time you have on this earth right now, then try this 13-week program. This is how DDP Yoga changed my life...

Maryland's bitter winter months were approaching, and I was seeking a cardio workout I could do indoors. It was too cold for me to run outside, so I decided to pick up a copy of DDP Yoga after wanting to try it for some time. The exercises I learned in this program built muscles in my legs, core, and shoulders that running alone never could do. Throughout the course of DDP's 13-week program I gained roughly 10 pounds of healthy lean muscle in areas of my body I never took the time to exercise before. DDP Yoga has given me the resilience, willpower, and energy to step outside of my comfort zone in various other aspects of my life as well.

I discovered DDP Yoga 2 years before even trying it, and I vividly recall that unforgettable and inspiring night. I was looking for something to watch on YouTube. While happily surfing the web and scarfing down a couple double cheeseburgers, I suddenly found an ESPN documentary which I had never seen before. The documentary was titled, "The Wrestler." I clicked play video and the footage I saw would ultimately changed my life forever.

The documentary features former pro wrestlers Scott Hall "Razor Ramon" and Jake "The Snake" Roberts in shockingly rare form. The two former WWE Superstars had been living an extremely self-destructive, unhealthy, and dangerous lifestyle, which was digging each of them into an early grave. It was painful for me to see my childhood heroes look so defeated. It was also challenging for me to admit to myself that I may be suffering from some of the same addictions as well. I glanced over at my green box of menthol cigarettes on the kitchen counter and took in a deep breath of reality.

I continued watching the documentary as former pro wrestler "Diamond Dallas Page" intervenes in each of their lives. Page, the creator of DDP Yoga, presents them both with a once in a lifetime opportunity. Page offers for them to move into his home, which he describes as "The Accountability Crib." Page further requests they allow him to teach them DDP Yoga, while adhering to living a fresh new clean and healthy lifestyle. Showing no reluctance, Hall and Roberts both accept Page's generous offer.

The documentary was so gripping that it made me want to get back in shape. I put down the cheeseburger and started running again. I was 50 pounds overweight at the time. While continuing to run for over a year, I observed the fellas on YouTube and Twitter. As the guys did DDP Yoga on a regular basis and eat healthier foods, it seemed pretty clear that they had quit their bad habits. Their faces looked clearer and they lost a lot of weight. I myself lost 50 pounds that year. The girly stigma I had associated with yoga all these years finally lost all meaning to me.

Last year at WrestleMania XXX Hall and Roberts were both inducted into the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame. Their comeback story was so inspiring to me that I decided I wanted to quit my addictions too, once and for all. Although running helped me to drastically cut back on the amount of cigarettes I smoked, I still found myself buying a pack from time to time. Although I had been eating a lot cleaner than before, I still would allow myself to suffice fast food cravings here and there. Not to mention, I still battled other demons similar to those of Hall and Roberts. This past winter I finally decided to give DDP Yoga a chance. I am proud to say that upon completion of the 13-week program, I was able to quit all of my addictions, and truly own my life as well.

The program contains 15 workouts on 4 discs, and also includes a 2-disc extreme yoga workout. Diamond Dallas Page is your yoga instructor for the entire 13 weeks. Page was 35 years old when he became a professional wrestler, which is the oldest anyone has been before starting a career in the industry, but Page defied the odds. I remember being a huge fan of him during the "Monday Night Wars." What stuck out to me was Page's really cool tough guy charisma. When scheduled to wrestle, Page wore jeans and a leather biker cut to the ring. The most bad-ass thing about his character was his finishing move, "The Diamond Cutter." Page created a yoga position and a workout through the signal of his signature move, which he incorporates into the program. The Diamond Cutter has truly helped shape and tone my body in ways running alone was unable to do. By age 45 Page was headlining events for WCW. In 1998 a "powerbomb" gone wrong ruptured the L4/L5 disc in his back. Page's injury was so bad that he couldn't walk, subsequently he was forced to stop wrestling. Doctors were unsure if Page would ever wrestle again, and that's when he created DDP Yoga.

Page began incorporating yoga exercises into his rehabilitation workouts. He created a technique back then that you learn in the 13-week program called, "Dynamic Resistance." The following year after Page's almost career ending injury, he was back in the ring wrestling only to become the World Heavyweight Champion, 3 different times. DDP Yoga consists of Page's own combination of calisthenics, rehabilitation principles, core-strength training, dynamic resistance plus various other yoga positions. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin interviewed Page about DDP Yoga on "The Steve Austin Show." On that particular episode Austin reveals how Page proactively developed DDP Yoga while traveling across the world and wrestling. After suffering from an almost career-ending injury, Page was able to remain healthy and in shape by religiously doing DDP Yoga, wherever he could.

Page's commitment and perseverance speak to the type of trainer he is through the course of this 13-week program. Page encourages you to "make the YRG workout your own." Not only was DDP Yoga able to help provide me a new athletic build, it also gave me the energy to create my own workout. Up until week 6 of the program you do an average of 3, 25-minute yoga workouts a week. Because my cardio was already at a high level, on days I wasn't doing DDP Yoga, I started boxing 12, 3-minute rounds in a cardio workout I designed by myself. I incorporated weightlifting and plyometrics exercises into my 12-round boxing routine. I credit DDP Yoga for giving me the energy and desire to make the workout my own.

By week 13 of the program you are doing an average of 5, 45-minute yoga workouts a week. The program get's pretty intense, and I'll admit that sometimes I couldn't perform all of the positions. I stuck with it though through all 13 weeks. In all my years of running my legs haven't been as rock solid as they are now, after doing DDP Yoga. My quads, glutes, and calves hold a new muscular shape than they ever did before. I have noticeably gained new strength in my core, abs, and shoulders as well. I am a lot more flexible than I was before too.

In addition to the workouts, the program comes with an extensive 20+ page detailed nutrition guide. The guide comes filled with some of Dallas' own great recipes, tips for eating, and facts on valuable and dangerous foods. I plan on continuing to use DDP Yoga for the rest of my life. My favorite workouts are "Fat Burner," "Diamond Cutter," "Double Black Diamond," "Below The Belt," and "Red Hot Core." It's spring now and I have already begun incorporating these workouts into my 5+ mile runs, and my 12-round plyo-boxing routine.

In the program Page puts a huge emphasis on breathing, which was the most important piece of advice I have taken away. Controlling my breathing through DDP Yoga's exercises has made me a calmer, more patient, and overall better person. I am able to handle high stress situations at home and at work a lot better than before. Breaking bad habits and getting back up is an incredibly difficult thing for anyone to do. But if I can do it, so can you. Give DDP Yoga a try and own your life today!

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"I'm a Writer Not a Fighter"