From Spiritual Seeking to Alleged Exploitation

Apple TV premieres this Friday Twisted Yoga: the sect of silence, a docuseries dissecting the alleged fall of individuals into a network of sexual rituals and psychological manipulation orchestrated by Romanian guru Gregorian Bivolaru.

The Dark Side of Tantra

The three-part Apple TV documentary series explores how a global network of yoga studios allegedly concealed practices of exploitation and human trafficking under the guise of tantra. The series centers the voices of survivors who sought spiritual enlightenment and belonging, only to experience trauma within what they describe as a cult-like environment.

A Guru’s Rise and Fall

Gregorian Bivolaru, 73, founded the Movement for Spiritual Integration in the Absolute (MISA), later renamed the Atman Yoga Federation. He built a yoga empire that expanded throughout Europe, promising enlightenment through tantric sex. However, allegations of criminal activity shadowed his spiritual guide facade.

Legal Battles and Arrest

Bivolaru was convicted in absentia in Romania in 2013 for sexual relations with a minor and human trafficking. He evaded justice for years, taking refuge in Sweden and other parts of Europe under false identities. He was finally arrested in November 2023 during a large-scale operation in the Paris region involving over 170 French police officers.

Current Status and Ongoing Investigation

Bivolaru remains in custody in France, facing charges of rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, and abuse of weakness. He denies all accusations. The judicial process is ongoing, fueled by the testimonies of survivors featured in the Apple TV docuseries.

Inside the Alleged Manipulation

“We wanted to understand the psychological mechanics. It’s not just about a crime, but about how a person’s will is broken under the promise of enlightenment.”

Rowan Deacon, Director

The documentary reveals alleged practices, including the consumption of bodily fluids and orchestrated mass orgies, described as part of a process known as the boiled frog – a gradual convincing of individuals to participate in increasingly extreme rituals. The series also explores allegations that the organization converted followers into unpaid erotic website workers, under the premise of saving the souls of their clients.

The Series’ Impact

The premiere of Twisted Yoga puts international spotlight on an organization that, according to victims, continues to operate under different names in various capitals around the world.