Larry Payne, PhD Yoga Therapist - Founder of Samata International

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Larry Payne, PhD Yoga Therapist - Founder of Samata International

Founded by Larry Payne Ph.D., home of Yoga Therapy Rx™, Prime of Life Yoga® teacher trainings, weekly classes, and private yoga therapy sessions. Iyengar, K.

CURRENT CLASS OFFERINGS:
Online: Tuesdays & Thursdays
In Person: Fridays at Veritas Yoga Samata International was established in 1980 by Larry Payne, Ph.D. The word “samata” in Sanskrit means “balance.” The style of Yoga taught at Samata is inspired by the teachings of T.K.V. Desikachar, son of the late professor Sri T. Krishnamacharya of Mysore, India who was perhaps the most knowledgeable Yoga teacher of the 20th century. Krishnamacharya taught that Yoga postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) should be adapted to respect individual differences in age, physical and mental health, culture, religion, philosophy and occupation. Some of Krishnamacharya’s other popular Yoga students in America include B.K.S. Pattabhi Jois, Indra Devi, and A.G. Mohan. Samata International is based at Samata Garden in Marina del Rey, where we host private yoga therapy sessions and weekly Prime of Life Yoga® classes in our studio. Samata's founder Larry Payne is also the founder of the Yoga Therapy Rx™ program at Loyola Marymount University Extension, training today & tomorrow's leaders of the Yoga Therapy community.

08/28/2025

Hi friends, Dr. Larry Payne here with another “Positive Senior Moment.” Here’s an exercise that you can practice right from your chair to fit a little knee stretching into your day to keep up that flexibility. Give this a go! I hope this is helpful for you today 🙂

If you’ve been enjoying these “Positive Senior Moments” that I’ve been sharing, I hope you’ll consider joining me for a yoga class at my studio or online. Details found at this link:
https://www.samata.com/group-yoga-classes

08/27/2025

🚨 LAST DAY TO REGISTER! 🚨

🧘‍♀️ Don’t miss your chance to join Prime of Life Yoga®: Level III – Yoga After 50!

Today is your final opportunity to sign up for this one-of-a-kind training designed for yoga teachers and dedicated students in their 40s–70s+.

✅ Reduce joint stiffness, improve sleep & posture
✅ Learn Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga & Joint-Freeing Exercises
✅ Explore emotional wellness, stress relief & end-of-life support
📅 The course runs August 28–31, 2025

🎓 Includes CEUs with Yoga Alliance & IAYT | Credit toward 200hr YA certification
💳 Reserve your spot with just $200

📩 Questions? Contact Erin Rusler:
✉️ Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu | 📞 (310) 258-8725
🔗 Register now: https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

This is it - last call to join the movement for healthier, wiser aging through yoga!

08/25/2025

🧘‍♀️ Only 3 days left to register for Prime of Life Yoga®: Level III – Yoga After 50!

This transformative training is designed for yoga teachers and committed students in their 40s–70s who want to support healthy aging through accessible, therapeutic yoga.

✅ Learn to reduce joint stiffness, improve sleep, and support posture
✅ Explore Chair Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and Joint-Freeing Exercises
✅ Address emotional wellness, stress relief, and end-of-life topics
📅 Register BEFORE Aug 28! The course runs from Aug 28-31, 2025
🎓 Yoga Alliance & IAYT CEUs included!!! | Credit toward 200hr YA certification
💳 Register now with just $200 down

📩 Questions?
Contact Erin Rusler:
Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu | (310) 258-8725
🔗 Or Enroll Here:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/22/2025

Hi friends, Dr. Larry Payne here with another “Positive Senior Moment.” Here’s an exercise that you can practice right in your chair to fit a little back and chest stretching into your day. Give this a go! I hope this is helpful for you today 🙂

If you’ve been enjoying these “Positive Senior Moments” that I’ve been sharing, I hope you’ll consider signing up for my upcoming Prime of Life Yoga® Teacher Training Level 3 Course. The course begins soon! Details found at this link:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/20/2025

🌿 Just one week left to register for Prime of Life Yoga®: Level III – Yoga After 50!

If you’re a yoga teacher or dedicated student in your 40s to 70s+, this training is your opportunity to learn how to support aging bodies with care, strength, and wisdom.

👉 Chair & Restorative Yoga
🌀 Joint-Freeing Exercises (Pawanmuktasana & Pawangustasana)
🛌 Stress, Sleep, and Nervous System Support
🧘‍♀️ Meditation, Emotional Wellness & End-of-Life Awareness
📅 Register BEFORE Aug 28! The course runs from Aug 28-31, 2025

🎓 Yoga Alliance & IAYT CEUs included!!! | Credit toward 200hr YA certification
💳 Register now with just $200 down
📩 Questions?
Contact Erin Rusler:
Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu | (310) 258-8725
🔗 Or Enroll Here:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/15/2025

Hi friends, Dr. Larry Payne here with another “Positive Senior Moment.” Here’s an exercise that you can try that gets your voice and body working! Give this a go! I hope this is helpful for you today 🙂

If you’ve been enjoying these “Positive Senior Moments” that I’ve been sharing, I hope you’ll consider signing up for my upcoming Prime of Life Yoga® Teacher Training Level 3 Course. The course begins soon! Details found at this link:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/11/2025

Ready to build your midlife yoga toolkit? 🧘‍♂️

Whether you’re teaching students in their 40s–70s or living it yourself, Prime of Life Yoga®: Level III gives you practical tools for teaching (and practicing) yoga that meets midlife where it really lives.

✅ Teach movement that protects joints and supports balance
✅ Address real-life topics like sleep struggles, emotional shifts & aging bodies
✅ Add powerful tools like Chair Yoga, Joint-Freeing Exercises & restorative breathwork

🧠 It’s smart yoga for a wise stage of life.

📅 Register BEFORE Aug 28! The course runs from Aug 28-31, 2025
🎓 Yoga Alliance & IAYT CEUs included!!! | Credit toward 200hr YA certification
💳 Register now with just $200 down
📩 Questions?
Contact Erin Rusler:
Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu | (310) 258-8725

🔗 Or Enroll Here:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/08/2025

🌟 Yoga that works for you! 🌟

You’ve got experience, wisdom, and a sense of humor - and your yoga practice should support all of it.

Prime of Life Yoga®: Level III – Yoga After 50 is a feel-good, function-forward training made for yoga teachers and students 40–70+. You’ll walk away with tools to move better, sleep better, and support others doing the same.

✅ Chair & Restorative Yoga
✅ Joint-Freeing Sequences to stay mobile
✅ Sleep, stress, and self-care strategies
✅ Helpful conversations about aging and fitness

📅 Course dates are Aug 28-31, 2025
🎓 Yoga Alliance & IAYT CEUs included!!! | Credit toward 200hr YA certification
💳 Register now with just $200 down
📩 Questions?
Contact Erin Rusler:
Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu | (310) 258-8725
🔗 Or Enroll Here:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/06/2025

Hi friends, Dr. Larry Payne here with another “Positive Senior Moment.” Here’s a quick reminder about the importance of having laughter in your life, and a quick joke. I hope this brightens your day today 🙂

If you’ve been enjoying these “Positive Senior Moments” that I’ve been sharing, I hope you’ll consider signing up for my upcoming Prime of Life Yoga® Teacher Training Level 3 Course. The course begins soon! Details found at this link:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/05/2025

Last Call for Online Yoga After 50/Prime of Life Yoga Level III Teacher Training at LMU!

Just a couple of weeks left if you want to join our Yoga After 50/Prime of Life Yoga program, with certification from Loyola Marymount University, the top-rated University for Yoga Studies in the US!

LMU is rated as the top University for Yoga Studies in the US. Whether or not you already have yoga credentials, this training opens the door to serving the fastest-growing and highest-income demographic in the US (50+), for both private and group classes.

Plus, our program is fully accredited for CEUs with Yoga Alliance and the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Don’t miss this opportunity to take your teaching and your career to the next level. For more about what the training is all about, check out the video below!

If you'd like to join us, 📩 Contact Erin Rusler now at Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu or (310) 258-8725
🔗 Or Enroll Directly Here:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

Love Forever,
Larry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MBTA-wRfSc

Yoga After 50/Prime of Life Yoga Level III Training is Coming Up!We're excited to announce our new dates for Yoga After 50/Prime of Life Yoga, with certifica...

08/04/2025

Age Well, Move Better, Sleep Deeper

🛌 Better sleep. 🚶‍♀️Better mobility. 💛 Better aging.
Only a few spots left for Prime of Life Yoga®: Level III – Yoga After 50!

This training is tailored for the 40–70+ crowd and focuses on real wellness - think stress relief, joint-freeing movement, and better sleep. Learn to support your students (and yourself!) in aging with strength and peace of mind.

📅 NEW Course dates are Aug 28-31, 2025
🎓 Yoga Alliance & IAYT CEUs included!!! | Credit toward 200hr YA certification
💳 Register now with just $200 down
📩 Questions?
Contact Erin Rusler:
Erin.Rusler@lmu.edu | (310) 258-8725
🔗 Or Enroll Here:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

08/01/2025

Hi friends, Dr. Larry Payne here with another “Positive Senior Moment.” Here’s an exercise that you can practice to fit a little stretching into your day. Give this a go! I hope this is helpful for you today 🙂

If you’ve been enjoying these “Positive Senior Moments” that I’ve been sharing, I hope you’ll consider signing up for my upcoming Prime of Life Yoga® Teacher Training Level 3 Course. The course begins soon! Details found at this link:
https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

Address

4150 Tivoli Ave
Los Angeles, CA
90066

Website

http://www.samata.com/, https://bellarmine.lmu.edu/yoga/academics/prime/

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Samata International was established in 1980 by Larry Payne, Ph.D. The word “samata” in Sanskrit means “balance.” The style of Yoga taught at Samata is inspired by the teachings of T.K.V. Desikachar, son of the late professor Sri T. Krishnamacharya of Mysore, India who was perhaps the most knowledgeable Yoga teacher of the 20th century. Krishnamacharya taught that Yoga postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) should be adapted to respect individual differences in age, physical and mental health, culture, religion, philosophy and occupation. Some of Krishnamacharya’s other popular Yoga students in America include B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois, Indra Devi, and A.G. Mohan. Samata International is based at Samata Garden in Marina del Rey, where we host private yoga therapy sessions and weekly Prime of Life Yoga® classes in our studio. Samata's founder Larry Payne is also the founder of the Yoga Therapy Rx™ program at Loyola Marymount University Extension, training today & tomorrow's leaders of the Yoga Therapy community.