A few months ago, I watched a video that had gone viral. Apparently, it was viral long before I watched it but I’m usually late to the game. I see something, love it, and share it with an OMG. You guys HAVE to watch this video! followed quickly by an “Yeah, I watched that a few months ago.”
That’s what happened when I watched the video transformation of Arthur.
(just in case YOU haven’t seen this)
I didn’t really pay attention to what really caused his transformation, but that didn’t seem to be the point. He focused on yoga and sheer determination and it’s an admirable story. It turns out that the key to his transformation was a program that has ultimately become known as DDP Yoga.
This is relevant because a few months ago I got pitched to review a DDP Yoga DVD.
How about taking your sunny summer bliss a little further this year by getting your body AND mind in awesome shape?
DDP YOGA is a unique, at home hybrid yoga workout system that stretches every muscle in the body, while at the same time, improving core strength, flexibility and mobility, as well as promoting significant weight loss. But this program isn’t just another fitness tool; it’s an overall lifestyle change that encourages positive thinking, clean eating and a healthy body.
Developed by iconic wrestler, Diamond Dallas Page as a results-driven workout to help recover from a career-threatening injury, DDP YOGA has helped thousands of people achieve the fit, happy lifestyle they never thought possible.
Personally, I love yoga. And I secretly desire to have a super sculpted body just from yoga so the thought of taking my practice to the next level was definitely appealing. And then I saw who Diamond Dallas Page is.
And I wasn’t quite sure if this was the man who could help me with my yoga. But I reluctantly gave it a shot.
This program was originally called YRG or Yoga for Regular Guys and the DVD program itself is branded that way. I’m assuming that they realized their techniques might be interesting to women to and so they now focus on the star of the program, Diamond Dallas Page.
In the intro to the program, DDP talks about his early career and his need to find a solution for helping him heal his back injury. He took some cues from his wife’s yoga practice and created this program.
It’s touted as “Not Your Mother’s Yoga” and it definitely isn’t. It starts with 13 core moves known as “The Diamond Dozen.”
Basically, he takes traditional yoga moves and gives them a cool name while saying them in a gruff wrestler’s voice. For example, “slow burn push-up” is essentially a plank, lowering to the floor. “Road Warrior 1 & 2” are just macho names for warrior 1 and warrior 2 positions. “Safety Zone” is what we simply call extended child’s pose.
(I just did this EXACT position in yoga class on Sunday)
Now, I’m all for renaming the positions if it finally  makes some people feel like yoga is really a workout. And this yoga series definitely is. His focus is on isometrics where each move is done slowly with maximum muscle tension and contraction while executing the move.
Does it work?
Oh yes. In fact, you generally should engage as many muscles as you can during yoga to get the maximum benefit.
Does it feel good?
Not really. I love yoga because of the strength, agility, flexibility, and body-mind connection that it gives me. This yoga doesn’t do that. While it may have some of the same physical benefits, the mental benefits are missing and that’s one of the reasons I love yoga.
With that said, his DDP Yoga kit comes with many programs including:
Diamond Dozen: The initial program to show you the moves, step by step.
Energy: A 20 minute workout incorporating the Diamond Down moves. Think of it more like a smooth ride on a bumpy road.
Fat Burner: I didn’t try this one because it was listed as having a “fast-paced high-cardio emphasis.” Not my thing. Not right now anyway.
Red Hot Core: Like Pilates? Then you’ll like this 15 minute workout. This was actually my favorite because it did a good job from the comfort of my own home.
Below The Belt: Butts and thighs. ‘Nuff said.
And lots more.
In the end, I still prefer my mother’s yoga (even though she doesn’t do yoga). But I have to give credit to DDP for creating a program that introduces the amazing benefits of yoga and pilates to an audience that thinks it doesn’t give enough of a workout for them. I’ll still plan to use the Red Hot Core when I feel like my jelly belly is a little too gelatinous.
What are your thoughts on yoga? I find most people either love it or hate it. Those that don’t like it tell me it’s not enough of a workout for them. With that in mind and given Arthur’s transformation, would you be willing to try a program like this?
Disclosure: DDP Yoga sent me the package that you see above for review.
23 comments
I might try a program like this, but first we need to talk about Weird Coincidences. I read this, then went to my feedly & found this waiting for me to read: http://feedly.com/k/17DttlY.
That is a WEIRD coincidence. I think it all depends on your exercise style. I think this is an effective program, just not my style.
It is life changing.
I’ve read somebody’s opinions on YRG/DDP yoga as being the worst yoga workout ever. If that is the case then my wife and I, after doing the program together for the last two months, must be the best yoga students ever which certainly is not the case. It is a great thing to do especially as a couple that eggs the other on when they are feeling lethargic or likely to skip a session. After only 8 weeks of a 39 week course we are stronger, fitter, happier, and healthier than ever before without any other radical lifestyle changes. It is so easy to get into that even I, having basically never exercised in my entire life, can get something out of it.
Long story short – try it! You have nothing to lose. BANG!
I’ve tried it but I get the same results from doing regular yoga, which is more my speed. I do think for people that want more punch in their workout, it’s a great way to experience the benefits of yoga.
I did regular yoga for many years before I began doing DDP. I am very shocked that you claim to get the exact same results from regular yoga. They are two different worlds with two very different results in my opinion.
My husband and I take a class taught by Arthur at our local gym. We knew nothing about yoga, DDP, or Art before the class – we just wanted to try something new. (For the record, we are both right around 50 years old and in good health but not great fitness) It is called Yoga for Regular Guys (and Gals) at our gym, and my husband and I needed something to do together. I don’t know about the DVD program, but the class is exactly what we needed. It is a strong all-over workout, and by going to the class we get a good mix of different sequences and exercises. We’ve been going twice a week for the past 10 months, and I have lost 10 pounds without many other changes. More importantly I can feel the increase in my strength and core control. I am not one to do at-home workouts; exercise time at home means taking our dogs for a hike…. and I do much better with the class setting and the requirement to go somewhere at a specific time for a workout… so I don’t know if I’ll buy the DVDs.
That’s so awesome that you work directly with Arthur! I actually prefer taking fitness classes over any type of DVD. I need to motivation of going to a gym and being around other people with a real live instructor. I’m a big believer in the benefits of yoga, for body, mind, strength, and flexibility. For people that think it’s too wimpy for them, I think DDP is a great way to get them involved in yoga.
Fadra
As you know I didn’t developed DDP YOGA for yogis 🙂 Yogis have plenty of types of yoga… I developed the DDP YOGA program for people who wouldn’t be caught dead doing yoga… Like me in my ignorant days:) Today I enjoy all types of yoga I just prefer my own for obvious reasons… I just wanted to say Thanks for the Awesome Honest review 🙂 DDP
Thanks for stopping by, DDP! I have to say that this is my most heavily trafficked post. People are definitely buzzing about DDP yoga! I know a lot of people that won’t try yoga because they say it doesn’t make them feel like they’ve really gotten a good workout (that’s not me!) and I’m hoping they read that with DDP Yoga, they will! Much continued success to you and your program!
Thank You buddy 🙂 If I’m ever in your area please come to one of my DDP YOGA workshops as my personal guest… I know you’ll enjoy the experience. Have a Great Holiday:)
DDP
Hey Dallas, I just wanted to say thank you man. I have chronic low back pain. I did physical therapy and your DVDs make my spine feel better than the PT I did. I am so glad I came across your DVDs.
I love my DP yoga. I do not care for the mind flow you were talking about. I like that Dallas shouts and is very energetic. Some yoga instructors just make me want to go to sleep. Mostly I use the dvd for therapy for my back and even neck shoulder (computer) pain. These dvd’s do more for my back than the PT my Dr sent me too. My spine is so aligned after doing Energy yoga, it feels great.
You know, everybody has a different style of exercise that they prefer. DDP himself knows that there are physical benefits to yoga even if you aren’t into the “mind flow.” Either way, I think yoga works wonders for the body and I’m glad you found your way to a program that works!
I think DDP Yoga is great! It has been the most beneficial exercise yet for my sore knees an has helped improve my core strength dramatically as well. I see your point of view as someone who has practiced yoga before DDP. I tried yoga at my local Y but felt out of place. I recall that I didn’t know what to do when the instructor told us to “expend our energy into the universe:. I do know what DDP is saying when he tells me to get my butt off of the matt while doing a bridge. I can see where someone who enjoys yoga already may prefer that but for me this has been great!
I love all kinds of yoga but I keep going back to my ddp energy and fat burner workouts. I have been for a year now off and on. I love them. They are short and effective. I have back and hip pain and it really helps me feel so much better. DDP is great for the spine. This is a workout I honestly never thought I would like and I am still doing it a year later! I love it!
speaking of being late to the game.. just caught the episode on shark tank featuring this.
got to admit i’m very interested in DDP yoga, and i’ve NEVER been tempted to try yoga EVER before
My Wife and I followed the DDP program for 5 months to a T. Didn’t really get a lot out of it. We then gave P90x a try, and in the first month alone got more results than we did in 5 months of doing DDP.
The situation for me and my wife is about the reverse. We did P90X and I went on and did P90X2. There was a lot I liked about P90, but some aspects were not so great. The workouts were often torture. I worked hard and felt ravenous. To the degree that it was so hard the results were not as spectacular as might be hoped for. My flexibility increased over time but slowly. I’d have aches and pains and the roller part of P90X helpled, but my lower back hurt a lot.
With DDP, I look forward to workouts. Flexibility is showing tremendous progress. I’m able to eat more sensibly and therefore dropping pounds. I feel great! I do some supplemental upper body work and seem as strong as ever (more pullups-but maybe because I weigh less). Not sure about the cardio difference. Maybe we are both right and it’s good to switch. I plan to do a few months of P90X again. (But maybe you didn’t push the dynamic resistance part like you should with DDP-that makes a big difference)
This yoga is more geared those who don’t need or really care for the ‘spiritual/meditative’ aspects of traditional yoga. I suffer a similar back injury to DDP (damaged L4/L5 discs) and I’m giving this program my full effort to bounce back as he did. And I will tell you, midway through my 3rd week and I am feeling better already, and I have only done “Energy” 4x/week. The “Wake Up” routine is also an amazing asset and has benefited me greatly.
Many of us are completely turned off by the spiritual aspect yoga. I had no idea how much yoga focused on this until I signed up for a (groupon) month to a center. One class was enough; they can keep my membership fee.
Still, I see the physical benefits.
Now it seems I don’t have to deal with things that are contrary to my values. (I am an observant Christian, however some of my Jewish and Muslim acquaintances feel precisely the same way.) Thanks for spreading the word!
Hi Fadra,
I know that this is several years old, but I wanted to give my opinion.
As others have said I believe this style of yoga is geared to those who don’t want to spiritual / mind aspect. I really want to do traditional style yoga for the exercise benefits, but I can’t reconcile the spiritual aspect of regular yoga with my Christian beliefs.
After I came across Arthur’s video, I did about a month of research before purchasing the DVDs. I find that this program is definitely for those who are self motivated to get it done. I can do this program at home, in any gym, in a hotel room… anywhere.
My flexibility has increased and my back pain is lessened. Thanks for the great review.
Will – I still get a lot of reads on this post. I’m so glad that it’s working for you. I actually had someone recently offer to buy my DVDs but I’m almost wondering if I should try them again. So glad to hear you’re getting some of the same benefits as regular yoga!