Issue 088
May 2012
How DDP Yoga may be the key to transforming your expectations inside the cage
The juxtaposition of former professional wrestler ‘Diamond’ Dallas Page and the spiritual art of yoga is certainly a curious one. Archaeological evidence has dated the origins of yoga as far back as 3,000 BC in stone seals that depict figures in yoga poses and postures. Yoga’s focus on training the body is through holistic and spiritual methods and, in that respect, is completely at odds with the largely hedonistic portrayal of professional wrestling.
Diamond Dallas Page was one of the most successful professional wrestling stars of the era with the WCW organization and made millions of dollars at his apex. The hulking star may have been at the top of his game financially but the stress of his profession was taking a very serious toll on his body.
“I didn’t start wrestling until I was 35 and my career didn’t really take off until I was 40 which was in 1996,” he told Fighters Only. “Both ’97 and ’98 was the time for WCW and it was the time for Diamond Dallas Page. I was WCW wrestler of the year in 1997 and in the top four wrestlers in the world by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Then I badly ruptured by L4 and L5 vertebrae. When you rupture discs like that it’s like taking a jelly doughnut and slamming it with your fist.”
Page sought out the opinions of several specialists but was continually told the same thing: his pro wrestling days were over and any further exertion could seriously affect his health. It was a heartbreaking series of events for the popular pro wrestler, who seemed to be losing grasp of the blockbusting career he had worked so hard for. But, during a rare period of domestic rest, Page reluctantly accepted his wife Kimberley’s invitation to attend a yoga class to heal his body.
“My mind-set at that time was that I wasn’t going to do that crap. This stuff isn’t a workout, it’s for chicks. Everyone has their own view on what yoga is and I didn’t associate it as being my kind of training. I tried it out and I was blown away by how toned and flexible everyone was and I noticed straight away that my core strength was coming back much quicker than usual.”
Yoga was clearly a key factor in DDP’s recovery and rehabilitation, but it was his own unique adaptation of the central principles of the system that lead to the genesis of a new training program. Page took traditional body weight resistance exercises like press-ups and squats and began holding positions during the exercise for a number of seconds at a time. This not only lessened the impact of each exercise but also elongated the periods of rigorous core stabilization.
“When I started doing those exercises that I’d modified I noticed that my heart rate would pick up tremendously. I’d do a press up, for example, and hold for three at the bottom then push-up to the top slowly and hold for three at the top. It almost happened by accident but when I put a whole workout together I realized that this system ticked all the boxes. It gave me core strength, stability, muscle definition, cardio and flexibility all in one hit.”
Page’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous after he began consistently working out with his new fitness system and, less than three months after his original diagnosis; he was back wrestling on a weekly basis and soon resumed touring duties once again. His story is an inspirational one but the end product of his training, a unique system he calls DDP Yoga, has been taken on board by a variety of athletes and professionals.
Tri-sport combine camp specialist Chip Smith, a man who has signed more number-one draft picks than anyone in America, frequently calls in the services of Page to help him with assessing fitness and nurturing training potential.
And former UFC champion and current Strikeforce heavyweight Josh Barnett has incorporated the system into his training regime. The very premise of MMA fighters training with DDP Yoga is an intriguing one for several reasons because, upon close examination, there are notable advantages that this system could specifically offer fighters.
Increased flexibility and core strength are two of the most obvious overall gains but the ability to undertake an intense cardio workout with a reduced risk of injury is an incredibly rare combination.
The closing months of 2011 saw the UFC lose an incredible 11 from 14 planned main events and every single divisional champion spent time in rehabilitation last year after picking up injuries.
“So much of what MMA fighters do is based around explosion and movements that really put a toll on their bodies,” says Page. “DDP Yoga gives a tough cardio workout whilst building core strength and flexibility. Those guys with a strong wrestling base, who learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu, are asking their bodies to be flexible in a whole new way and DDP Yoga can help with this.”
The keystone concept behind this training program, as Page himself is quick to re-iterate, is that “DDP Yoga ain’t your momma’s yoga.” And nothing could be closer to the truth.
Self High Five
DDP Yoga from beginner to advanced
1) Crunch
The crunch is broken down into two main holding points with each completion held for three seconds. Assuming a press-up position, lift the right leg upwards and slide the arms forward whilst keeping the back straight. Then bring the right leg forward and, without touching the floor, slide it next to the elbow whilst keeping the rest of the body straight. This position is held for three seconds.
2) Push-Up
The push-up is broken down into two main holding points also. Begin in the traditional push-up position and hold for three seconds before dropping down. Then hold the bottom position for three seconds before returning back to the starting position.
3) 3CT Crunch
Begin by lying in the supine position with legs flat on the floor and arms by sides. Slightly lift the legs from the mat whilst extending the arms backwards until full extension is reached. This position is held for three seconds before the knees are bent and bought into the chest and the arms move through 90 degrees before pointing straight upwards. This position is also held for three seconds.
4) Superhero Push-Ups
Lying flat on the floor with the arms stretched straight out ahead, lift your body six inches from the floor and then lower yourself back down. Once on the floor, perform a dorsal raise before returning to the start position.
5) Black Crow Lifts
Begin by placing both hands and feet on the floor whilst arching the back forward with a bend in the knees. Lean forward into a handstand position whilst maintaining the bend in the knees and hold this position for three seconds. The legs are then thrust backwards into the press-up position.
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