Falling Prey to BIKRAM: Yoga Guru, Founder, Predator
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- “Guru” Bikram was responsible for bringing hot yoga to the states and popularizing it. Without realizing, Larissa Anderson was slowly groomed by her then boyfriend and yoga studio owner to seamlessly fall right into Bikram’s hands. He would eventually request massages from Larissa in front of hundreds of students and get more and more bold when they were alone together.
Larissa underwent the intense 9 week bootcamp-style training to become an official Bikram yoga teacher so that she could eventually open her own yoga studio. Along with many other students, she endured ridicule from him, in the name of toughing up and being indestructible, and was later assaulted and r*ped by Bikram. Larissa explains the depths of her grooming and brainwashing as she descended into the cult of this Guru-narcissist.
Watch part 2 of Larissa's interview here:
• Prosecuting Yoga “Guru...
Catch the full story of Bikram, featuring Larissa, in the 2019 documentary “Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator”
Find Larissa on Social
IG: @yoginilarissa
/ yoginilarissa
Our C2C vacation where we can meet you in real life and go on adventures together has 5 spots left! Click here to go to the official booking page trovatrip.com/trip/central-am...
Support Shelise
Any donations are welcome and appreciated to support the making of this podcast
Find our FULL (uncensored) merch store here!
cults-to-consciousness-shop.f...
Patreon
/ cultstoconsciousness
Venmo @sheliseann
Find Shelise on Social media!
Instagram @cultstoconsciousness
/ cultstoconsiousness
Host Instagram @sheliseann
/ sheliseann
TikTok @cults.to.consciousness
/ cults.to.consciousness
Twitter @cultstocon
/ cultstocon
Chapter Marks
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:51 Who is Bikram?
00:08:41 How Larissa was groomed into going to teacher training
00:14:51 Larissa gets chosen to go to teacher training (has to pay a lot)
00:16:30 Larissa's boyfriend at the time helped groom her for Bikram
00:21:16 Bikram would call out Larissa in front of class to massage him
00:24:12 What Larissa was made to do during the harsh teacher training
00:29:31 Bikram would ridcule his students
00:37:23 What set Bikram apart? Why did people follow him?
00:42:39 What led to Larissa getting blacklisted by Bikram
00:47:26 Larissa hears Bikram calling to her telepathically
00:50:41 Larissa goes back to Bikram
Theme Song Produced and Composed by Christian Guevara
*Disclaimer: Thanks for joining us at Cults to Consciousness. This storytelling podcast is meant to be for entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for medical advice. We may discuss triggering topics and we ask that you make your personal mental health a priority. Lastly, the opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host.*
I took a couple of Bikram yoga classes. What I didn't know when I was taking them was I had a congenital heart defect that was not caught until I got much older. Anyway, I went to get some water because I was out of breath and the teacher started yelling at me in front of the class. She kept saying "We are not drinking water yet". And my thought was, who tf is "we"? So then I started to leave the class because she looked and acted like a raving lunatic. Didn't feel very yogi. When I went to complain to the manager every word out of his mouth was "Bikram says"...."Well, Bikram says"...This was years before Bikram's crimes were known. But I never went back. A few years later, I found out that I had a congenital heart defect and that I am lucky I didn't drop dead from from all of the strenuous activity I was doing, because I was a long distance runner.
Woah! Thanks for sharing
I'm so glad you're ok and had that diagnosis so you can keep your body safe! I've been doing yoga off and on for 8ish years and recently took a hot yoga class for the first time and had to leave the room because I felt like I was going to pass out or throw up, and I don't even have any specific health risks. Luckily, my studio was totally fine with that and no one acted like I was doing anything wrong. But, as far as I can tell from my research, there really is no reason to do hot yoga over regular temperature yoga except that it is more challenging, so it's super weird to me that the hot yoga classes are always packed and heavily advertised. I feel like people assume a "no pain, no gain" attitude, but I'd rather do excercise that feels good in my body, which is how I feel when I do my regular yoga classes.
I would drink water as needed during Bikram classes: My thought at the time: I Loved the classes But Bikram Never pushed out a baby So I could have water as I needed:)
@@anna42623 Thank you! And mind you, I was a running fanatic. I ran 3-5 miles a day and much longer distances on weekends. So I was clueless. Likely my running like that would have done me in before Bikram did. But I think about that class.
@@IndigoBellyDance I am glad you didn't have the teacher I had.
Bikram only popularized "hot" yoga. By the time he arrived in the US, several other styles were being taught around the country.
I met him once at a free class some time in 1980s in Florida. I nearly passed out from the heat and had to leave the classroom. Afterward, he started to scold me for leaving. I shut him down quickly by stating I was an adult who knew my body much longer than his mere aquaintance. He stomped off.
I've met several Indian spiritual leaders both in India and here in the states. He was not even close in energy. I practice the style of yoga as taught by B.K.S. Iyengar. I only took one retreat with him directly. I much preferred his senior teachers. He had gotten cranky in his later years.
Never give away your power. You know you best.
I am so sad this happened to you.
Interestingly, when I was in India in 2001, many of the oldest, most senior gurus were saying thet the time of the gurus was passing. They had begun limiting how long students could stay at their ashrams. Everyone was encouraged to continue their practices as "householders."
But, these culty "gurus" still exist here and in India.
iyengar was known to beat his students w sticks. IJS.
Yes! He would walk around the class with a stick and "tap" people on the part of the body that was out of alignment. I did not experience that. I heard it was quite painful. None of my teachers ever acted like that. All part of why I never went to Pune for the advanced teacher training.
My early 20's were rough. I almost went to a NXIUM seminar and i did bikram yoga for a year +. My teachers were definitely starting to talk to me about teacher training....2 bullets dodged. I am blessed to have a mother who drilled into me listen to your gut. And if it feels weird.....it probably is!
I'm so happy for you that you dodged all that.
The fact that you came so close but had the sense and trust in yourself to walk away and not go deeper speaks volumes! Not many people could say they dodged those 2 bullets ❤
They sure like to pull the "you were my wife in a past life" card to suck you into their cult.
If someone said that to me, I would reply, "Don't you remember I divorced you?" 😝
He said my name was his first girlfriend's nickname. 😅
It’s fishing… 80% of people tell the guru to take a hike but you only need that 20% of the vulnerable. If you can make people feel understood or seen, that’s very powerful. You don’t need everyone to follow you.
Chad Daybell did the same. Very creepy 😲
I did be Bikhran in early 2008 I was going to a fertility clinic and I wanted to lose a little weight before I got pregnant. I did three months I lost 30 pounds but I knew I was not going to continue once I started trying to get pregnant. I mentioned this to the receptionist and she said if my doctor told me I couldn’t do Bikram I’d leave that doctor I looked at her and said you’re a dangerous woman you shouldn’t be talking to the public.
Literally what? Hot yoga while pregnant? That receptionist is beyond ignorant.
The Waldorf cult did something similar when I called the office re our daughters strep throat (twins). She said "wrap their necks w wool dipped in hot honey and lemon". I told her, "I didn't ask, but how are you qualified to give medical advice??".
I have been teaching yoga for 20 years. I went to the Bikram training and I hold 8 other certificates and I am a psychotherapist.There is a specific series for pregnant women and it is up the to discretion of the studio owner and history of the students hot room experience. I have seen pregnant women in the climate I live in +desert - outdoors. India pregnant women outdoors. Africa pregnant women outdoors. It is about acclimated bodies and frequency of practice prior to pregnancy. And no woman is encouraged to practice hot yoga in the 1st trimester.
As PER RAJESHRI!
@@kesundersun I was a high risk before my pregnancy. I carried triplets for only 24 weeks. No water I was going to go
@@cryforthemoon Strongly agree. I hope people don't get duped in future by control freaks gurus and their brainwashed staff.
I remember watching the documentary with my abusive ex and he had absolutely 0 compassion for Bikram's victims and that Bikram was "not that bad" 🙄. Larissa, I'm glad we're both out!
The fact that they SELF PROCLAIM their exalted position is the biggest red flag.
I was hardcore into Bikram yoga in my early 20’s- early 30’s. Maybe what’s not talked about enough is the endorphin HIGH you get from the classes. You’re in this altered state of consciousness during and after class and are very vulnerable emotionally. That combination is both incredibly beneficial but incredibly open to people who want to exploit you. I wasn’t thankfully but I can see how easy it could happen.
Completely agree with this. That endorphin high is so helpful, but you're correct...it also leaves you extremely susceptible to people who may want to take advantage of you. You have to be careful.
It's just like the praise and worship music that Hillsong Church invented.
It's all methods intended to trigger a cathartic release.
I agree. The high is addictive but leaves you totally vulnerable emotionally. Very dangerous. One should seek activities that strengthens you, not weakens you.
All cathartic releases are associated with increased vulnerability.
It's a well known spiritual tool of the Patriarchy.
@@kristinajansson7451The yoga does strengthen, not weaken, just fyi. Both physically and mentally-as long as you’re not being taken advantage of while you have that endorphin rush from the exercise and breathing.
It’s more pronounced with yoga, but it happens with all exercise, and you end up with personal trainers and others doing this same sort of abuse and exploitation.
There’s a reason so many people get sucked into to some kind of cult or high demand group. It’s so easy for predators to use almost anything that potentially can do good for your life, be it exercise, community, or other healthy lifestyle choices. That’s how they get people, they start out by love-bombing and being supportive and genuinely helping somewhat. It’s not until it’s too late that they start letting their masks slip. That’s when the control gets more intense, then things start getting really abusive.
It’s not a matter of weakness in any way. No matter how strong someone is, they can absolutely fall into a cult! The only defense is to understand the patterns and to recognize abusive behavior. Knowledge is the only way to inoculate ourselves against high-demand groups.
I love the way you’re branching off into more fringe, self help, hustle culture, course type cults & whatever else is out there. So important to bring awareness to all of them to let people tell their stories & to protect people from falling prey. Love your channel & purpose SO much.💜
Thank you! We are doing our best to keep it fresh and find guests to tell as many stories as possible.
I've been waiting years to hear others talk about this.
I prove my point by seeing how many ppl are still brainwashed. Even after viewing this video. The con bikram took off before ppl knew the world of yoga, or pro active wellness. It's like saying ABC is a great alphabet.
Yesss girl, Larissa is a friend of mine. So proud of her for telling her story.....this is the perfect place to tell it! ❤️
I am so glad to see this coverage!!! We need to talk about wellness cults more often.
100 agree
"He did something great but ultimately he's a terrible person." I think this is an accurate assessment. I've done hot yoga for 22 years and it's really helped me a lot. I've taken class with Bikram (a long time ago) and I knew something was really off. A lot of his comments were derogatory and they were laughed off as "that's just the way he is". The yoga itself has helped me a lot but I steered clear of the cult mentality. There was a time I considered going to teacher training but it was cost and time prohibitive. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't go. Thank you for this interview. We need to hear the truth about these self appointed gurus.
Thanks for sharing that 😊
Did he really help you? I mean, the power of suggestion is STRONG. Doing the same exact thing every time isn't good for the body or mind. The body gets over use syndrome and can hurt joints, ligaments etc. The mind needs stimulation vs going into a trance of repetition. Doing an exercise class vs participating in an addiction alone at home is a good thing---but that could be tons of variety and doesn't have to involve a sweat box.
@@nothingworksworks3511 I don't disagree with what you're saying and I didn't give all the details of my yoga practice. I'm an occupational therapist. I worked in healthcare for 20 years so I don't just do Bikram yoga. I do other things as well to work out. Bikram, himself, is a mixed bag, in my opinion. I was not in his inner circle (by any means) so I was not subject to what this woman went through. I found there were many good teachers and yoga studio owners who were helpful. With that said, I never blindly followed what they told me to do because of my healthcare experience. I know my body and I did what was best for me. But, yes, overall this yoga has helped me a great deal, especially with helping me to deal with working in U.S. healthcare, which is extremely stressful. With that said, hot yoga isn't for everyone and I totally recognize that.
Intrinsically, the exercise regime of bikram's is not health care. Can't begin to guess your personal interpretation or if you did scarf dancing or jumping jacks vs the actual routine. However, compared w punching yourself in the face for an hour- we can mutually surmise 'twas "helpful". @@transitionsnc
maybe you scarf danced or maybe you did the regime- who knows- but YOU helped YOU, not this sheister w a cookie cutter do or die gymnastics. Its HIS brainwashing telling you HE helped. Just PLEASE@@transitionsnc
Break the silence. Break the cycle.
YES. And those of us who have been fortunate enough to not be victims? We need to make it safe and okay to break the silence. No shame. No shade. No "I'd never go there" (because we do not know that, honestly).
I was introduced to this yoga many years ago and initially loved it. However, as time progressed, I became more focused on the spiritual aspect of yoga versus just the physical performance of the asanas. As I listened to my body and spirit, it began to directly conflict with what teachers were telling me. They would try to force me to contort my body in ways that did not feel right at the time and invade my personal space. This was all a part of the grooming process. I believe this is how they choose who to send to teacher training. They push your boundaries and demand submission. If they are able to break you, you're welcomed into the fold. I still love yoga, but not the way I have seen in practiced in most parts of the west.
Great comment. You make a lot of good points.
Thank you for sharing this ❤️
@@CultstoConsciousness Thank you for this series ❤
@@thepragmatistThank you. It was a long road 💜
It is amazing how many Yogic cults there are. You need to (and I don't know if you already have done so) interview someone from the Transcendental Meditation (TM) cult. This is a cult that Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Davide Lynch, and many very famous people are involved with, and some people have been hurt by this. I have studied cults and I am an I/O psychologist. There are even corporate organizations that operate as cultish. It's not always easy to spot but you find out when you don't feel right and they don't want you to leave and they chastize you. It is very scary. I am a native New Yorker and I still live here over the years I have noticed how many books I have been offered pamphlets from the Mormon Church LDS who have their main church at Lincoln Center, Moonies asking you to buy their pictures, Dianetics with Scientology and so many many others.
Yes and surprise surprise all these teachings charge a fortune for their exclusive knowledge!! lol .. marketing scam all of them
Eleanor Neale just did a video on when bad things happen at Disney. You don't think of it as a cult, but there is definitely some corporate brainwashing going on.
I’m pretty sure she’s done someone from TM
Oh yeah, I would really love to hear about that!
@@smooth_pursuitI couldn't find anything looking through the channel, if you know a name please let us know!
I went to a Bikram studio in Vegas. You talk about a mess. Everything she described I could see in a studio because this person trained under Bikram. It was so demoralizing my husband finally said, why would you go back to some thing when you feel like shit when you get home
I did Bikram for about 4 years in Hong Kong. It was my first ever yoga class, hated it,and swore I was never going back. After my shower I left feeling like walking on air and that feeling was what made me go back. I ended up getting addicted and going twice a day sometimes ( I have never been addicted to exercise) It was very disciplined and they used to lock the doors and not let you leave, but did say you could lay in savasana for as long as you liked if you felt dizzy etc. Luckily I was young, had no medical issues and I loved it.
Did it give you that same feeling each time?
@@magtag853 Yes! Felt fantastic afterwards. The class was hard but the reward was the feeling afterwards. I was going twice a day at one point, I loved it. I’ve since found that any hot yoga class will give me the same feeling. I definitely prefer hot yoga over any other type of yoga.
I took my one and only Bikram class 2 years ago and found it dangerously dehydrating, despite my making sure to drink plenty of water the night before and that day. I really didn't care for the sequence of yoga poses, which felt clunky and less effective than what I was used to. I had to leave the class when I couldn't reduce my out-of-control sweating and heartbeat, and I literally passed out for a few moments outside, before the instructor came out to check on me. AND it felt very cultish to me--although the members seemed happy to have found it, and told me of how Bikram had benefited their lives. Not for me though; never again.
So BASICALLY what we have here is a strange dude who is in front of hundreds of people in a skimpy (speedo) man bathing suit, who takes everyone he teaches away from their family and life, he wants everyone to love him, physically as well, then he uses astral projection to speak into peoples mind, and his "Yoga" didnt help alleviate his own temper tantrums or physical impulses, but he basically proclaims himself as "God" and threatens all sorts of physical, and mental trouble to all who opposed him, including death, he breaks people military style and "kills the heart" (bullet proof) Similar to some of Aliester Crowleys teachings... Did i get that about accurate here?
Both Crowley and Blavatsky were pioneers at seperating bored rich people from their money . The 1970's saw a tidal wave of scammers of every description . Former cab drivers from India were suddenly " Exalted Masters " of something seldom defined . There may be an astral plane , but watch out for people trying to sell you a ticket to it .
It’s amazing to me how all these self proclaimed prophets/gurus/cult leaders remind me of Joseph Smith and his tactics building the mormon church. All predators. Sex, power, money, strict obedience and gas lighting.
Great points.
It's because they are all using the same esoteric playbook.
They are sorcerers and they know what they are doing.
*Larissa* Thank you for coming on and speaking up. The things you've been through are so crushing, seeing your light shine through in this episode is BEAUTIFUL. Excitedly finishing the second episode now.
🖤Much love and support as always🖤
❤️❤️❤️
I took a few classes from the man himself in Beverly Hills in the early 80's. This was right before his star really ignited, but there were already lots of celebrities in his classes. He did single people out and came upon me once. I was overweight and he poked me right into my bum crack! I was used to fitness intrucrmtors treating me like that, as i was always at the gym trying to look and feel better. Anyway, i went one more time after that, but his astonishing angry ego was a real turnoff. I had briefly considered teacher training. I'm glad i didn't follow through.
I did a class with him in LA too. I’d been doing bikram for a few years beforehand & was excited to do his class. Long story short he was the single worst teacher I had in all the years I did yoga 😂 his vibe was creepy bored & way off.
@cee-cee yes! Bored af!!
“I’m not choosing you, I’m choosing yoga”
I remember my own similar experiences of trying to relate with a religious organization , yoga related , which encouraged absolute projection of our connection with the divine onto the Guru.
The trauma of being gutted financially and on every level after approaching so innocently is something that will take a long time to be able to share the light from - still finding it today!
Took classes in Eureka, CA in 1999/2000. Major cult vibes gurl. Thank you for making this
Im so amazed Larissa tells her story so well. I cant believe the strength she has . Cant wait for the next episode. Thank you CTC for bringing it as always ❤❤
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
It’s so sad the people who have such influence and power use it to take advantage of others.
Thank you for continuing to give a platform to people who need it.
Hello Larissa, thanks for sharing your story. I hope this brings awareness and helps people understand how insidious cult programming can be.
Thank you so much C to C for these wake up calls on how all these coercive high demand cults always operate from the same paradigm. So important!!
Breaking down and building up is also how the military works
I absolutely love bikram classes. I practiced them in Ubud, Bali - nothing like this ever was detectable in the classes. The structure and simplicity of the yoga classes & the heat, are so beneficial.
I still enjoy this practice - it made a massively positive improvement in my life.
That being said, this is a very interesting eye-opening interview. Wow 😮.
Actually Paramahansa Yogananda, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Vishnu Devananda brought yoga before Bikram and brought the spiritual philosophy with it; as opposed to the physical only aspect of Bikram.
I thought Yogananda had played an important role, (around the '60s?), but it's been awhile since I read his book.
@@shields42062 Over a century ago. . .
Bikram didn't teach yoga philosophy.
Wishing health on mama and baby (and dad)!
I don’t care I’m always going to ❤️the video before I watch! It’s been a privilege watching your channel grow. Your goal to help people see the truth is commendable. Thank you for having a diverse group of people. It allows you to see the common thing between each group. If you ever see this, you should look into cults in the African-American community. We have a lot too
Realize in all religions there are predators, cults, Yoga is not bad, Christianity is not bad, Islam is not bad, but toxic people who get into and take advantage of followers!
Everything that teaches you to look outside your own spirit is bad. Every religion, Every worship, devotion of a deity, being outside your own absolute spirit... which is in everything, and needs no war-ship is bad. This is the problem with humanity we have given our power away and have become victims. Go back to the root of yourself.
@@dianacouto5385this is the answer I agree. It’s hard to trust yourself when every teaching we have is about not trusting but doing what others want of us…
None of them are good either. Religion was designed to control people. Some people want to be controled and lead. BUT if you want to express your own mind and your free will you no longer have to subscribe to following other people's definition of God and experience a personal relationship with Source.
I totally agree. I saw a quote recently that said, "the tradition is good, it's employees, not so much."
If you actually learn about Islam you’d probably disagree about that one, but the overall point is correct. Individuals will ruin things with their own selfish desires.
Just found your channel. I can't tell you how much your videos are helping me right now. If you happen to come across this comment, just want to say thank you, really.
Hi! I’m so happy to hear that! Welcome to C2C and wish you the best on your healing journey ❤️
We had a really great Bikkram Yoga style studio in town run by a family which had its own grass roots reality with the world. The studio started having problems when Bikram’s issues started coming out and the family finally just shut the whole thing down on their own. I felt really bad for them. They didn’t deserve it and they had some really great energy all on their own. It used to be fun to hear them run down their own takes on some dictatorial bs that they had learned and repeated and then would say basically “well that’s a crock of poo. Just be you”. It was pretty funny actually.
Lots of people lost their livelihoods due to Bikram's abuse. He essentially bought their silence and held them captive because if you were a Bikram studio, you could only teach his method. There were contracts, they had to pay monthly fees, it was absolutely crazed. If you only had the very expensive Bikram teacher training, you were not qualified to teach yoga outside of his method so no one would hire you. So speaking out against Bikram not only hurt the person speaking out (and ensured they would be unemployed and shunned by the community), it also hurt your friends, your mentors, and your home yoga studio. It was a terrible situation.
You are becoming a Legend. Such a North Star to women.
I went to Bikram training in 2009. I think it's nice to hear all perspectives. Looking forward to hearing what she has to say.
Hello I am a Yoga teacher but I also have a minor in south Asian studies from UT Austin. Yoga WAS NOT on the map because of Bikram. This is totally wrong. BKS Iyengar, Jois, Desikachar and a few other students of Krishnamacharya (an authentic lineage) made the rounds well before . BKS Iyengar gaves classes in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1973 but there was interest in it many years earlier.
Truth
I found my happy place with Ashtanga Half Primary (I've seen Pattabhi Jois's video on RUclips, but I use Deepika Mehta's.) When I first started taking yoga seriously, it was with a book on Iyengar Yoga that I had gotten from the library, which was a great introduction for making sequences, but I still prefer the flow of Ashtanga.
Yes, that's correct. Even in the 60s there was "Lilias, Yoga and You" on TV! I was a kid and LOVED her!
@@1ACL I loved that television program. My friend and I would do Yoga with her and we were only 9 years old.
Right!? It was awesome. She was so pretty and graceful and I LOVED her and did the yoga infront of the TV too@@websurfer5772
Bikram yoga is so militaristic. I hated it.
It's coming back to our local studio. They call it "hot 26". The ppl who like this are still brainwashed, even w all the info @this toxic BS
Not for you then, does not mean you need to mouthwash it
Thank you for splitting it up. What was done to her was horrible. She is so brave to break the silence so that someone might know they’re not alone or realize what’s happening before it goes too deep.
Liked, shared, commented. Up the algorithm!
20 years teaching and practicing.
There is so much on point and so many inaccuracies.
20 years teaching Birkam and many other Styles.
- i have never been encouraged to end communication with family & friends.
I was alone alot with Bikram and never had these experiences with him or RAJESHRI.
that being said - I support those that have come forward - I have witnessed so many messed up behaviours in MANY yoga communites, that I do not doubt their personal experience. BIKRAM is a piece of work.
This yoga healed injuries that no dr, physio, chiro, could heal, that plagued me as a youngster for 10 years. There are thousands that share the same story.
It also healed a severe eating disorder.
I was a trailblazer and owned a rogue studio, because I wasnt buying i to all the BS.
I think you will find it everywhere if you know where to look and follow the money.
Predators know their prey and victims.
Thank you for the courage to speak your truth. It must be very healing for you ❤
In any practice which comes out of a religious tradition it's vital to trace the teacher's lineage. If they don't have one, it's very problematic.
Amen, aum, shalom, as Salaam.. . .
I am very glad that you are making people, specialy women aware of these fraudsters!! Thank you!!
Shelise, I would love for you to have a conversation with Brice Watson from @esotericatlanta to shed a little light on the teachings of traditional yoga in contrast to what these culty versions are teaching. She was traditionally trained in India in one of the three remaining original lineages still taught today. She is a great educator on what the yoga sutras of Patanjali teach and how they are in stark contrast to what these "gurus" have been peddling. It would be a nice balance for your audience to hear what the TRUE intent for yoga is and better prepare them for red flags when it's being twisted. I hope y'all are able to connect! Keep up the great work!
As we know, Bikram did not create these postures. The 26+2 series has its merit, but he did not "found" the practice itself. Bishnu Ghosh founded the sequence.
Exactly
It is striking how easily predators hone in on the vulnerable. How easily we servant types make it for them. We may as well be holding neon signs "Groom me! I'll be the best servant" without even knowing we are doing it.
100%
Until we wake up! 😀
The predators find the people pleasers in the group and indoctrinate them.
We had a Bikram yoga studio in town. It closed after the scandal. I have an aunt who is really into yoga, and I had asked if she'd been to any Bikram studios. She said she had once, but hadn't liked the heat. I've thought since that she's lucky she didn't stay in it -- she's very talented, and attractive.
opened youtube to hope that you had posted and it was the first thing i saw! so happy!
Man, i remember when Bikram/Hot studios started popping up everywhere in Manhattan. Iyangar follower w/hypertension, couldnt find a studio i could afford. Yoga is meant for everyone, so if you start out needing to exclude people, you're doing it wrong.
Hey! I can’t afford it but a culty yoga retreat sounds like fun!
I feel like odd woman out. I went to Key West and for 3 months every day did Bikram
Yoga. I NEVER had any kind of odd, weird or evil feeling. It is 13 standing postures and 13 floor postures. I don't think he brought yoga to the US. He brought HOT yoga. To hear what he turned into is just beyond EVIL. Definitely loosing self, surrendering to the guru is taught throughout India. I had a guru got totally
Into it, got sick there, came back to LA and a wise friend said I think you should take off the red clothes, and the necklace. The illness left. That person was Bhagwan Shree Ragneesh. Known today as Osho. This is so effed up.
The Bhagwan was banned from the US after running a camp in Oregon and trying to kill the residents of a nearby town by poisoning the buffet bar at a restaurant.
Wow! I've seen his doc. whew!
OMG! I’ve lost several friends to Osho. They all turned completely toxic and looked down on everyone who did not follow him with lots of swearing and straight up abuse.
@@Realalma That's a bummer. Sorry you lost friends to him.
We r glad that you are bringing this up.
I remember doing a few classes and thinking ok this is a good way to deep stretch. But I stopped when they kept pushing the 60’days thing. I remember thinking I’m not leaving my house at 5:30pm for 6pm, then a 90 min class and then having shower after then getting home by 8:15. No thanks , I want a life. And the heat thing as well I totally experienced as well when the room was hotter than what it was suppose to be and they were like well the hotter the better. I thought this is stupid why can’t we just do a normal hot yoga class like it’s advertised instead of arriving and the staff/ instructors are making the their own decisions on the room temp. Now it all make sense
I practice a similar style of hot yoga - thankfully I dodged a bullet with Bikram. I still want to teach hot yoga, but I am glad I could not afford to go to Bikram's trainings and I could find a healthier place for training. Bikram was declining in popularity and being exposed for his sexual harassment. I am very sorry for what you went through, Larissa.
12:30 in and already grateful for you sharing your story.
I live in Paris. An male American yoga instructor forbade me a look into his session in progress. His successor a female American instructor welcomed me to observe her session. I would join a female instructors group.
❤the shouting belittling and fear is unacceptable, in an American yoga class. However, most studios have switched to a softer brand of “Hot Yoga” that is very nice. So don’t be afraid to try it, in 2024. No one is shouting, and telling you some guy said you can’t drink water. It’s not like that, anymore. But it very much used to be. ❤
Cool to hear from you again.
Thx. I live in a Wealthy town where I experienced public drugging & raping rituals & we have a lot of these yoga programmed girls down here. I can't help wondering how many were also abused. I suspect that's why Florida offers so many political gaming activities. I'm a retired Psych Nurse here & the yoga girls were always disturbing, but I couldn't label it exactly. This really helps me decode SW Florida issues much easier. TY.🙏
Sarasota installed a small 5G cell tower a few feet away from downtown Bikram location recently.
bro you really lost me with the 5G comment
@@bernjobiright lol I was like what
@@bernjobi Exploring why Neurologists & Cardiologists I worked with in Sarasota for 3 decades wouldn't even acknowledge Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity started my Truther investigations 7 yrs ago. Where they choose to place cell towers (next to HUD housing, Disabled Facilities & Apartments, Birkam Yoga, Planet Fitness, etc) was part of my research into why they lie about what is happening to us.📡🙉🧲
@@why55555 I see the relevance of the tower being placed there. It's a sick, sick, sick world we're livin' in.
One reason cults are so enticing is that they offer the extended family, the community, the belonging with a tight knit group that we so desire. We lived that way for thousands of years.
It seems to me that another reason new-age and yoga inspired cults have done so well in the US/in the West is the lack of education on foreign religions and cultures. I'm absolutely not blaming individuals because it's never a person's fault for falling in but Christianity-based cults seem to have fewer converts. I'm really just stating something I'm noticing, have no idea if this is true.
I had a super into yoga phase throughout my late 20s/early 30s, during the rise of the Bikram phenom. Bikram always struck me as culty and militant, and thankfully I felt weird enough about it that I didn’t check it out - and also I don’t do well in the heat so there’s that haha. That was during a very vulnerable time of my life and I’m afraid I could have gotten sucked in. So grateful my instincts protected me.
Got to say I Loved loved loved the heat, the being pushed and the poses. But what a true ass of a human
I love the heat too! I take corepower classes & it feels safe. Better language around yoga these days, more awareness not much freakShow runamok
Gives me a migraine just thinking about it. ❤️🇨🇦
Noooo!!! This felt like I watched it in a matter of 10 minutes. Wow, these yoga ones are awful. So many people find such a safe, healing space in yoga & they can take that from them forever once the abuses end.
Yoga in Indian does not resemble anything like the modern western yoga studio.
...what does it look like in India?
@@1ACL It's primarily a spiritual practice, not just something people sign up for when their muscles are too tight
An Indian friend once told us about people coming over from India pretending to be Gurus.
Are you Indian? I was hoping an Indian could tell us exact;y how it might work in India.@@petalchild
@@melissapinol7279 they have a name for them in India. They are called "fake baba"
I went on a couple dayswith a guy that was a bikram yoga teacher and he was very strange. Started telling me how it of shake i was even though i used a bicycle to commmute 5 miles to work and 5 miles home 5 days a week and went on a 20 mile ride on the weekends. He said because i knew i couldn't handle got yoga i was unfit. I had a couple of heat injury in while i was in the army which i had explained was the reason i would do regular yoga but not hot yoga. I never saw him again after that
I have to wonder just how much "service" this fallen guru felt entitled to from his followers. I'm guessing once anyone said "no, I'm not comfortable with this" they found themselves belittled and shunned.
I went to Bikram Training in Los Angeles about 15 years ago. I was warned about his behaviour before I left. When I got up to recite the first posture (Halfmoon Pose) in from of him and the rest of the trainees - he told me that he thought I was incredibly beautiful and should be in the movies. I said "oh okay" and then handed the microphone to the person behind me. 😅
Later in the training I noticed he had singled out one young woman - he would call on her often - she left the training towards the end and didn't finish. I don't know what happened. They kept it very quiet.
I did enjoy the training.... I met amazing people and felt strong. The distruction of so many beautiful studios was difficult to watch. They had lovely communities....when the scandal happened the studios suffered. I thought that was unfortunate.
I don't know how anyone could get into Bikram. The first time I looked at him I was absolutely grossed out. Something about him gave me serious cringe vibes. But I suppose I can see how people can get sucked in. After leaving religion I knew that the moment you go outside of yourself and give your power to a person or a "god" you are destroying yourself. The moment anyone gives guru or religious vibes and wants my money. I'm out!
It's entirely believable that someone who did something great is basically a bad person. Very few people are 100% one or the other. Thank you for sharing your story.
I loved taking classes at my local Bikram studio. The teachers were not culture at all and got away from Bikram when he started charging all of these fees.
Have you done one of these on transcendental meditation?
I joined for a ten day course but never went back. Nothing untowards happened. But yoga is not my cup of tea. Those who participated were friendly and nice. In every system, there is the dark side of it. Thanks for sharing.
“He did something great!… But he’s a terrible person”
My doctorate tesis is about the power of mind control and manipulations over people! As a psychologist i see patients over and over with the same post traumatic symptoms
Cover Jivamukti!
I had the same thought about military basic training & Greek org hazing
I practice yours on my own from the video and it’s really helps my anxiety and insomnia. Cuz I’m interested in yoga so I found the documentary in Netflix. I can say it’s not necessarily to do hot yoga at all just yoga if you do correctly you will gain the benefit like me for sure. And so sad that Bikram didn’t get caught and he still teaching yoga 😢
Here's the worst part in India hot yoga is called room temperature. Except their bodies are used to the high temperature. Also, nothing dumer, then dehydrate a muscle to stretch after.
In India we practice at sunrise to avoid the extreme heat…
@@smooth_pursuit right 😆
Yoga competition is an oxymoron. There is no competition in yoga.
In my experience of doing Yoga twice, I became very agitated, & even had unusual violent thoughts. It was as if my spirit/ soul was furiously rebelling against this practice of the oblitration of myself, my unique being into the Nivana of Complete Obliteration; which is the goal of these practices!
So I can totally understand how these poor Yoga folks can easily fall for these vicious Guru's, because the whole goal is to disappear yourself into oblivion.
I disagree, the point is to experience the living Plenum, imo.
I never did bikrum yoga. However, went to anther studio that focused on vinyasa and iyangar was in the same building as a bikrum studio. Several times I saw students that were outside the bikrum studio recovering from being too hot. I told a few student that my studio had air conditioning. I never did it because the idea of doing yoga in 104 degrees sounded like a bad idea to me for my health. I am glad I was never interested.
Id actually love for you to look at the military cult work. I was in the Army and cant help but talk about how culty the experience was.
ruclips.net/video/GwdG974dOQc/видео.htmlsi=O9pCkBom5qzzVIZ8
I did a deep dive into the military and I completely agree with you. It is very cult-like.
@@CultstoConsciousness These interviews are excellent. Thank you.
This is like getting your hand out of the lion's mouth and putting it back in. The programming is real.
Hi!!! It would be very nice of you can investigate if cults are also taking place in the academic comunity! I work in science and I have saw a bounch of people with powe that use this technique, they say that you need to suffer for your good, thats the reason why they scream to you or behave abusive towards you; because they want you to be great! And they are going to show you the path, however it doesn't make sense at all because in order to accept that, you at the same time need to resing you freedom og thought. Most of them also make sexual jokes or look you in a lascive way.
There is also a very impactful case of an academic called David Adasme Muñoz from Chile that sexually abused more than twenty of his students!!!!
Wow. Glad I don’t do gurus. Rely on your own energy.
For as wack as the dude was, just to be fair...the feeling you get walking out of a bikram yoga class and into an air conditioned room is incomparable
ppl still "follow" this predator. ppl still give him money time & attention. He's a mean objectifying person. WHY
He should be in jail but he ran away from the country
@@bluemelody... but still runs "trainings" (predation round-ups) outside the US
@nothingworksworks3511 does he? He must be super old now
@@bluemelody... allegedly does these victim round ups, I mean, "teacher trainings" in Mexico City etc
💜💜
military training breaks you and builds you up stronger. mr superyogi just breaks you
Every yoga class I’ve ever been to is cultish. The feeling of belonging and the competitiveness in every class over gumby-ness, thinness, and outfits is a recipe for manipulation. All kinds of showing off.
I saw the doc, Bikram is awful, but I loved the classes. Slow exercise where you stand there. 😂
I once worked at a theatre and was asked to work a special event back in 2008 or 2009 where Bikram would be giving a lecture. I had never heard of him at this point and about half way through his talk I had to walk out of the theatre and take a break. I witnessed over a hundred people funnel in to watch this man speak, spending around $70/ticket. Some the attendees clearly had physical ailments and spent their money in hopes of receiving help or guidance from their guru. Instead they heard the ravings of an extreme narcissist. He claimed that if world leaders would just listen to him, he could snap his fingers and solve the conflict in the Middle East. He said if Michael Jackson had just called him, he could have prevented his death. He also claimed he could levitate, but didn't want to. Eventually, the lecture was over, everyone left and what I saw after was a man counting the only thing he cared about, a pile of cash. It wasn't until recent years that I found out he's not just a charlatan, but a despicable individual. I hope more people continue to share their stories and take back their power from these monsters.
Woah. That’s awful. Thanks for sharing that
Where is the link to part 2?
We are still editing. Goal is to release tomorrow
@@CultstoConsciousness Love that you are diving into yoga cults!
Where is part 2
It's up now.
I was being told to lock my knees while we lean over which is likely to re-sprain my back so I kept a tiny little bend in my knees and they kicked me out of Bikram Yoga at my local studio after my fifth session.
The owner started this conversation with me by saying, "I believe in Bikram Yoga...." and I was thinking, 'Wait. What??!'
I was bummed out, because other than that one move they wanted me to do in their cookie-cutter, fascist way, I loved Bikram Yoga and I really wanted to continue on with it and I told her so but she didn't care, I was not allowed to come to her studio anymore.
Another cult.. my friend did this yoga and control freaks ran it - she got away thank god