Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Payne.
Hi Larry, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Larry Payne, Ph.D. is an internationally respected yoga teacher and back specialist. The L.A. Times named Larry “One of America’s most respected Yoga teachers”. Larry is founding president of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, founder of the Corporate Yoga program at the J. Paul Getty Museum, the first Yoga teacher to offer Yoga classes at the World Economic Forum, co-founder of the yoga curriculum at UCLA’s School of Medicine, and the founding director of the new Yoga therapy certification program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
In 1979 he was an advertising executive, plagued with chronic back pain and stress. His quest for relief led him to study Yoga and health in eleven countries and inspired his career change upon certification in India.
In 1980, Larry founded the Samata Yoga Center in Los Angeles and later earned a Master’s degree and a Doctorate in fitness education with an emphasis in Hatha Yoga from Pacific Western University. His background is in Psychology and he has also completed graduate work in Physical Therapy at Cal-State University at Long Beach. He was the U.S. representative to the first World Congress of Yoga in Montevideo, Uruguay, and has received Outstanding Achievement Awards for Yoga in Europe and the United States, and the Golden Lotus Award from South America. In 2000, he was a panelist and yoga instructor at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In addition, he is the founder of the Healthy Back Program at the world-famous Rancho La Puerta Fitness Spa.
Larry Is author and co-author of 8 books including Yoga for Dummies (4 editions in 12 languages), Basic Postures and Series for Dummies, Yoga All in One for Dummies, Yoga After 50 for Dummies, Chair Yoga for Dummies, The Business of Teaching Yoga, Yoga Rx, Yoga Therapy and Integrative Medicine. Most recently he is working on his seminal publication “Autobiography of an American Yogi” with Don Henry.
Larry has been a frequent guest on national television and syndicated radio programs. His work has been featured in numerous national and international magazines, as well as in The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. Most recently he is featured in six new DVDs as part of the Yoga Therapy Rx series.
Larry resides in Los Angeles, California and has a thriving practice in Marina del Rey and Malibu. In addition to speaking engagements and workshops, he leads Yoga and health seminars worldwide.
Most recently Larry was awarded the prestigious Life Time Achievement Award for Yoga and the title “Yoga Thiligam” by Dr. Ananada Balayogi Bhavanani of Ananda Ashram in Pondicherry India.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been really fortunate. I made my move from West Cost Manager of Advertising Sales for Mc Calls magazine to starting my own Yoga center Samata International in 1980. In 1984 I Co founded the first Yoga therapy Center at a Sports medicine center in the country with Dr. LeRoy Perry Jr. D.C. At that time the biggest Hollywood stars were all coming to the center. Elizabeth Taylor, Cher, Madonna, Shirley McClain, Warren Beatty etc.
We landed the first ever story on Yoga therapy in the Yoga Journal in 1984. I also opened a Yoga/Yoga therapy branch in Malibu with the late Jessie Hanley M.D. I taught in Malibu for 20 years before Co founding the Yoga program at The UCLA School of Medicine and Yoga Therapy Rx certification program at Loyola Marymount University with Dr. Chris Chapple Ph.D.
We graduated over 1000 students over 18 years
Co founding the International Association of Yoga therapists which is now in 50 countries
Richard Miller Ph.D. and I met in India in 1980 while studying with TKV Desikachar and hatched the idea of The International Association of Yoga Therapist’s .It took 9 years to bring it to fruition and gather all of the international board members including Dr. Dean Ornish M.D.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Well …I have now authored or co authored 11 books including the best seller AARP’s Yoga after 50 for Dummies Wiley Publishing I am teaching a on line certification course through Loyola Marymount University Prime of Life Yoga https://www.samata.com/prime-of-life-yoga
I enjoy working one on one with challenging back problems either in person at my studio in Marina del Rey or on line with zoom anywhere in the world
What’s next?
I have recently been asked to teach on Sundays at 11:00am at a great new Yoga Center in Malibu called Veritas https://www.veritas-yoga.com I am also exploring teaching at Santa Monica College and Pepperdine University. I love teaching and plan to continue as long as I can. I am very fortunate to be doing something I love
Thank you to Voyage LA for allowing me to share all of this
Pricing:
- Group Classes Via Zoom $20
- Private Yoga Sessions $15o
- Yoga Day $125-225
- Kauai Retreat $3495-$4495
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.samata.com/
- Instagram: @LarryPayneYoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LarryPaynePhD
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/larry-payne
- Youtube: @LarryPayneYoga/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWLD3UdF96lk0QUDFKyiRMA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/samata-international-yoga-and-health-institute-los-angeles
