Home / Arts and Entertainment / Apple TV Doc Unmasks Yoga Cult's Abuse
Apple TV Doc Unmasks Yoga Cult's Abuse
5 Mar
Summary
- The docuseries exposes alleged sexual exploitation within a tantric yoga organization.
- Founder Gregorian Bivolaru faces charges including human trafficking and rape.
- Former members detail psychological manipulation and digital porn work.
A three-part investigative series on Apple TV, titled "Twisted Yoga," premieres globally on March 13, detailing the alleged sexual exploitation within a multinational tantric yoga organization. Directed by Rowan Deacon, the documentary focuses on the psychological journeys of women who were drawn into the influence of Romanian guru Gregorian Bivolaru.
Bivolaru, the 73-year-old founder of the Movement for the Spiritual Integration into the Absolute, now known as the Atman Yoga Federation, was arrested in Paris in 2023. He currently faces charges in France, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and rape, which he denies.
The series features testimonies from women who have collaborated with French authorities. They speak about the gradual indoctrination and the mechanics of the organization, which included members becoming digital porn workers. The Atman federation maintains it is not responsible for the private lives of its members and states allegations are unproven.
Producers aimed to understand the "boiling frog syndrome" that led educated individuals into potentially harmful ideologies. The documentary prioritizes exploring the psychological aspects of indoctrination, eschewing a traditional true crime sensationalist approach to help audiences grasp the slow process of manipulation and exploitation.
