Bikram Yoga founder, Bikram Chowdhury, gained fame and success by introducing intense hot yoga to celebrities, but his origins and intentions are debated as he became engulfed in lies and exhibited cult-like behavior.
Bikram Chowdhury ran a highly exclusive and intense teacher training program, protected his brand through lawsuits, and displayed a taste for luxury, raising questions about his integrity and motivations.
The podcast highlights the patterns of sexual harassment and abuse within the Bikram yoga community, detailing Bikram Choudhury's manipulative and predatory behavior towards his students, while also discussing the aftermath of the scandal and the challenges faced by the victims.
Deep dives
Vikram Chowdhury's Journey to Prominence
Vikram Chowdhury, an Indian yogi, gained fame and success by introducing his intense style of yoga to the health-conscious community in California. He attracted a celebrity clientele, including Michael Jackson, Jeff Bridges, Shirley MacLaine, and Barbara Streisand. With his yoga studio heated to extreme temperatures of 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, Bikram claimed that the heat made it easier for students to perform the intense stretches and postures. While his origins and intentions are somewhat unclear, it is debated whether he started his career as a con man or gradually devolved into one as he gained wealth and influence. Regardless, Bikram gained notoriety for his extravagant lies about encounters with famous people, such as teaching yoga to the Beatles and curing Richard Nixon's phlebitis. He even went on to marry and expand his business, demonstrating signs of cult-like behavior by excommunicating students who didn't comply with his demands.
The Rise of Bikram Yoga and Teacher Training
Bikram Chowdhury expanded his yoga business, opening studios in Tokyo and San Francisco. He began offering teacher training classes that lasted three months and accepted only 25 trainees per year. These trainees paid around $10,000 for the privilege of learning from Bikram. The training sessions were intense, involving hours of stretching in extreme heat, listening to lengthy diatribes from Bikram, and late-night movie sessions. Bikram was highly selective about who could open schools under his name and was even involved in lawsuits to protect his brand. One such case involved settling with Raquel Welch, who he claimed had copied his yoga teachings in her book.
Controversies, Lies, and Cult-Like Behavior
Bikram Yoga was not without its controversies and scandals. Bikram excommunicated his first student, Tony Sanchez, after demanding that Sanchez break up with his girlfriend, a sign of cult-like behavior. Bikram also started displaying a taste for luxury, acquiring a Rolex watch and a fleet of Bentley cars. He settled legal disputes with celebrities who he claimed had copied his teachings, using the money to buy a house in Beverly Hills. Over time, allegations of lies and deceit began to accumulate, questioning the authenticity of Bikram's origins and teachings.
Conclusion
Bikram Chowdhury's journey to success with his style of yoga was accompanied by controversies and allegations of fraudulent behavior. While his yoga method gained popularity among celebrities and health-conscious individuals, his extravagant lies and cult-like actions raised concerns about his integrity and motivations. Despite the controversies, Bikram Yoga remains a prominent yoga practice that some individuals still find beneficial.
Sexual harassment and abuse in the Bikram yoga community
The podcast episode discusses the widespread sexual harassment and abuse that occurred within the Bikram yoga community. Numerous women came forward to accuse Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram yoga, of rape, sexual assault, and harassment. The podcast highlights the patterns of behavior exhibited by Choudhury, including manipulation, abuse of power, and a predatory approach towards his students and trainees. The episode also explores the ways in which Choudhury used his position of authority to control and manipulate his victims, as well as the complicity and enabling behavior of others within the community. Despite legal repercussions and losing control of the Bikram yoga entity, Choudhury remains at large and continues to teach yoga.
Consequences and aftermath of the Bikram yoga scandal
The podcast episode delves into the aftermath of the Bikram yoga scandal and the consequences faced by Bikram Choudhury. While Choudhury lost control of the corporate entity and faced multiple lawsuits, he has not been criminally charged and continues to evade legal accountability. Many victims faced significant financial and professional repercussions for speaking out against Choudhury, as their careers were often reliant on their association with him. The podcast also highlights the complexities surrounding the reactions and responses of the victims, including the challenges of fighting back against an influential figure and the psychological impact of trauma. Although the exposure of the Bikram yoga scandal shed light on the dark underbelly of the yoga community, it also serves as a reminder of the systemic issues of abuse and manipulation that can arise in positions of power.
