DDP Yoga Diamond Dozen: Dynamic Resistance Cables and Curls

DDPY Dynamic Resistance Cables and Curls

It’s often said that DDP Yoga gets your heart pumping by just standing still, with no running, jumping, or lifting involved.

My personal favorite way to demonstrate that is with DR Curls.

How To Do Dynamic Resistance Curls

You already know how to get dynamic resistance going from Ignition.

In case you need a reminder, stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and flex your quadriceps (thighs). Pick up your toes and grip them into the mat to engage your calves. Then straighten your legs and keep a slight bend in the knee. Pretend like you’re pulling your legs together as if they were on ice, but they don’t move. You should feel this in your adductors inside your legs. Finally, squeeze your glutes.

YogaOutlet.com

Now you’ve fully engaged your legs. Almost all of your muscles from your belt line down should be flexed here.

For the Cables part, reach out to the sides like you have imaginary dumbbells. Imagine you’re picking up 100-pound weights. Pull them up so that your forearms are parallel to the ground and you have a 90-degree bend in your elbow for a count of 3, 2, 1. Squeeze your biceps!

via GIPHY

Once you’ve reached the top, turn your palms over, open up your hands and pull your fingers apart, and push down for a count of 3, 2, 1. Inhale with your chest out and shoulders back, just like the end of a Diamond Cutter.

Your heart should really be going after a set of three of these.

How To Do Dynamic Resistance Cables

The DR Cables assume the starting position of Road Warrior 2 (what a rush!).

From Road Warrior 2, turn your palms up. “Grab the cables,” so to speak, and pull in for 3, 2, 1. This time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the ground. Flex those biceps!

This position is also known as Showstopper, which is named after one of the many monikers and signature poses of the legendary “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels.

To finish this move, turn your palms away from each other and push away like you’re moving through wet concrete for 3, 2, 1.

What Body Parts Are Worked By DR Curls and DR Cables

These DDP Yoga moves primarily work the arms:

  1. Biceps
  2. Triceps
  3. Forearms

However, because you may be in a Lunge or a Road Warrior position, your legs may also be doing work, too.

This is how you start to combine the DDPY Diamond Dozen for a full-body workout.

The Benefits of DR Curls and DR Cables

Each of these moves can replicate similar movements to lifting weights. You can still build muscle and strength without dumbbells or curls. A bonus here is that you can do so without placing stress on your joints. However, if curling a heavy weight is a goal for you, you should still make that your primary focus.

Another bonus to this move that I’ve found is that it keeps the workout fun. When people first see Showstopper, especially, they feel a little silly. But, I’d like to think as people get used to the move, they like the idea of showing off their guns. Including a social aspect in a group fitness class is always a plus.

Shop Yoga Mats & Props at YogaOutlet.com>>

Try DDP Yoga DR Cables and DR Curls With Me

I have two ways you can try this move with me.

First is my group DDPY classes.

Second are my private 1:1 or small group DDPY classes.

I hope to see you intimidating Shawn Michaels in no time!

Photo by Damir Spanic on Unsplash