When you think about what yoga is, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Breathing techniques? Stretching? Flexibility? Well yoga is all those things and a whole lot more. Originating from ancient India, Yoga is a commonly known generic term for physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines. The goal is to attain a state of permanent peace. It was brought over to the West of the globe in the 19th century by Hindu monks and by the 1980s yoga became an important part of the system of physical exercise. Its use in treatment and/or prevention of cancer, schizophrenia, asthma and heart patients has shown great results and improvement in the overall health of patients who were at risk or at early stages of those four ailments*.
Of all the yoga centres around the world today (and trust me, there are many) none stand out more, to wrestling fans at least, than the single-story ranch home located in Smyrna, Georgia. There you will find the yoga center known as “DDP Yoga”. Yes, the home is owned by former wrestling great Diamond Dallas Page.
In 1998, when recovering from ruptured L4/L5 discs, DDP sought some form of rehabilitation to fully heal from his injuries. Chiropractors and medicine failed to work. It was then former wife Kimberly Page suggested trying yoga. “Yoga?” he replied. “Screw that!” Kimberly persisted that he give it a try and by 2005 DDP was co-authoring the book, “Yoga For Regular Guys.” Page also formed a tag team with Dr. Craig “Yoga-Doc” Aaron and together they developed the official Yoga For Regular Guys Workout.
The workout eventually became a series of videos titled DDP YOGA, where Page himself directed several yoga positions in routine form to help his watchers drop weight and body fat, improve lean muscle growth and improve cardio levels. Along with that the yoga aspect also helps people grow mentally and overcome any fears or doubt that they had about themselves. One story that moved many, enough so to earn the attention of mainstream media including Good Morning America, was that of disabled war veteran Arthur Boorman. Boorman was a paratrooper in the Gulf War and after many parachute jumps, it took a toll on his back and knees. For fifteen years, Boorman spent his life having to walk with the aid of crutches and braces. He was told he would never walk on his own again. Arthur gained weight, ballooning to 297 pounds. Every yoga trainer he approached would swiftly turn him down, stating there was nothing they could do for him.
Every trainer except Page. Boorman underwent the DDP YOGA treatment and believed in himself. The yoga helped with his physical and mental state and in 10 months Boorman dropped 140 lbs. As surprising as that may be, nothing was more shocking than seeing Boorman walking in a park alone and without the use of crutches or braces. To add to the impressive recovery, Boorman then began to sprint. It seemed as though doctors and fitness trainers that turned him down were all wrong. Boorman dropped nearly half his body weight, shed his excess body fat and for the first time in fifteen years had full mobility of his legs and back. All thanks to one man: Diamond Dallas Page.
Since then, with the help of his results and appearances in mainstream media, Page has been able to help people around the world. From every day Tom, Dick and Harry to amateur and professional athletes. There have been many great stories showcasing fabulous results but to the wrestling fan, none more amazing than the work Page has accomplished with former pro wrestling superstars Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Scott “Razor Ramon” Hall.
In October of 2012, Jake Roberts moved into Page’s home in hopes to make a comeback. His goal was to drop the weight, get back into shape and get clean and sober. As known to pro wrestling fans, Roberts was a heavy alcoholic and suffered from both drug and alcohol abuse. Back in 2007, Roberts attended a 14-week voluntary program paid in full by World Wrestling Entertainment as part of their rehab program and according to WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, Roberts was doing very well. It wasn’t the case though, as Roberts continued his drinking ways and it wasn’t before long until Roberts was off the wagon. Then along came one of the men he helped train in the wrestling business in Diamond Dallas Page. In just two short months, Page helped Roberts lose close to 50 pounds. On top of that, Page had Roberts attending AA meetings regularly. Page had just one rule for Roberts. “You screw up, you’re out.”
Since then Roberts has been doing well for himself. Until recently. As he lay in his bed one morning, Page entered his room to confront Roberts about some rumblings. Those rumblings accusing Roberts of having drank two beers the night before. Unlike his earlier years living the life of an addict where he would fall off the wagon, get in trouble then run away, Roberts was quick to admit that he had messed up and re-told the events of the previous night. Page’s response to him was, “It’s all part of the process.” Roberts coming out and admitting his mistake was a giant step to his recovery and one Page helped him realize.
A hopeless case turned into one full of life and expectations. As DDP put it, “It’s not about ‘Hey, look at my abs!’ It’s about ‘Hey, look at my life!’“
“I thrive in rehab, but I struggle as soon as I hit the door.” This is the story of Scott Hall, once known for his wonderful wrestling career from the AWA as Big Scott Hall to Razor Ramon in the WWE to nWo Founder Scott Hall in WCW, the bright lights and bigger than life persona was just a mask to who Hall really was. In his lifetime, Hall has been through rehab a dozen times. The problem with Hall was that he entered into rehab for all the wrong reasons. He took part of the programs to take away the worry of his family and friends, to take away the worry of losing his high-paying job. It was never really about himself and taking away the need or want to drink. With DDP, it was different. With the help of a yoga plan and living with Page, Hall adopted a new found mindset of simply not wanting to drink because it just didn’t appeal to him anymore.
For his entire life Hall has been tortured by his demons. In 1983, Hall was charged with second-degree murder after he wrestled a gun away from a man outside a nightclub which led to Hall shooting him dead. The events of that night have followed Hall since and have been a major reason why Hall turned to the bottle. From his problems in the 90s that led to his divorce in 1998, to his arrests in the early 2000s to a stomach-turning appearance at an independent event (Top Rope Promotions) in 2011, where Hall had to be helped out to the ring by two men in order to complete his appearance. It was then that Hall decided it was time to make a change. Thanks to the help, patience and dedication of DDP, Scott Hall went from the classic “well there’s no hope for him” case to now living on his own. He currently resides in a home with his son where they live together peacefully. Hall has since taken on the roll of mentor and trainer as his son Cody is an aspiring professional wrestler.
The story of DDP is truly a great one. It’s a demonstration of complete dedication selflessness and shows that if just one man can change so many lives, imagine the possibilities if more people adopt this lifestyle and teachings and help others themselves. All thanks to the help of yoga, methods that DDP himself once scoffed at.
*Information on yoga’s benefits for cancer and other ailments: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/mindbodyandspirit/yoga
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