Product Description A safe, doctor recommended, introduction to Yoga that is popular with men and women. Originally on VHS as "User Friendly Yoga." Videotaped on location in Malibu, California. Divided into 15 minute and 28 minute programs. Special Bonus: Disc includes MP3 audio versions of the routines, so you can download the audio to play on your iPod or Computer. .com Larry Payne, a Ph.D. and Los Angeles-based yoga teacher, has put together a yoga program that lives up to its title. Power yoga this ain't; rather than touting the virtues of yoga as aerobic, strength-building exercise, User Friendly Yoga presents it primarily as a tool for stress and tension reduction, incorporating simple forward bends, backbends, standing poses, twists, and various stretching and balancing poses in a gentle, easy-to-follow sequence designed for those who are new to the discipline (with slightly more difficult variations demonstrated for more advanced users). Payne is a soothing, nurturing presence, constantly emphasizing the importance of the breath and the personal, noncompetitive aspects of yoga ("challenge yourself, don't strain yourself" is one of his mantras). He even suggests watching the 30-minute program all the way through once before trying the poses. Now, if he would only turn down the sappy New Age Muzak that seems to be de rigueur for so many yoga videos these days. --Sam Graham P.when('A').execute(function(A) { A.on('a:expander:toggle_description:toggle:collapse', function(data) { window.scroll(0, data.expander.$expander[0].offsetTop-100); }); }); Review Larry Payne does a great job of leading the exercises and explaining the poses. His voice is calm and relaxing. The relaxation pose at the end is as good as any live Yoga class I've ever taken. It is a good introduction to Yoga and its wonderful benefits. --Reviewer from Fairbanks, AKThis Yoga video benefits your body as well as your soul. Dr. Larry Payne uses his skill in asana practice as well as his talent to make you feel peaceful. I highly recommend it to my Yoga students. --Malissa from Dallas, TXI love this video. It is clear, gentle, instructive and respectful. It is not about the instructor 'showing off' or moving fast and fancy. It is about showing the poses and breathing and encouraging the student through the gentle methods. Great teacher and great video. --Reviewer from Toledo, OH From the Contributor The host, Larry Payne, is a gifted Yoga teacher and an internationally respected back specialist. He co-authored Yoga for Dummies and is director of the International Association of Yoga Therapists, and is founder of the Yoga curriculum at UCLA Medical School. About the Actor 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. He co-authored Yoga Therapy Rx, Yoga for Dummies and The Business of Teaching Yoga. 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 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. See more
B**N
Larry Payne is an excellent instructor. The relaxing manner in which he speaks ...
Larry Payne is an excellent instructor. The relaxing manner in which he speaks brings inner peace. I particularly find his simple instructions helpful as well as his reminders to breathe. He demonstrates everything in an easy way and it's the only yoga dvd you'll need. The stretching is excellent after my workout. MOST important is one can choose between the short program and the longer program.
A**R
Very disappointed
When I played the DVD I found it contained only around 5 super simple poses on it which was disappointing. Worse than that is it is broken down into 1/2 program or full program giving you a choice of length of workout but both program are exact duplicates of each other. Its like they copied the 1/2 program over to the full program right down to the introduction of the DVD. Same introduction, same 5 poses, totally IDENTICAL. It makes no sense. If I wanted to do the same exact beginner poses again and listen to the same introduction I could just start the DVD over as opposed to selecting full program. For the money this DVD costs it is a joke. Don't waste your money!
D**A
Great to help decide if you like doing Yoga :)
Gave this to my boyfriend as a gift and we have done it a few times together. This is a very basic DVD -- so if you have never done any yoga, this is a great way to see if you like it. If you do like Yoga, you will need to get a next level up.
L**V
It's pretty good
It's a very basic video for those that want to try yoga to see if they like it first. I liked it but I prefer something a bit more challenging.
L**D
cd
very basic poses very basic yoga routine not much on the art of breathing and how it works with yoga poses
T**D
Good Start
If you are just starting out, this is a good beginning. I like the options of the two programs. Relaxing.
M**M
Will try again
Just couldn't get into yoga.
G**E
The Only Yoga DVD's You'll Need!
I've taken a lot of yoga classes over the years and bought a lot of yoga DVD's along the way too.Larry Payne's Prime of Life Yoga Series is THE best I've ever tried.The Upper Back and Neck Problems DVD is one I've recommended to friends and they've been happy that I did.The Beginner's DVD is perfect for anyone who has never practised yoga before or who is getting back to yoga after an extended break. I now use the Immune Booster Level One on an almost daily basis and love it. After a break from practising yoga on a regular basis, this was a wonderful way to ease back into my practise. After only a few weeks, I have regained the "ground" I lost and have started to progress again too.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!read my full review of this series at:myreallifereviews dot com
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