The world of wellness and spirituality faces scrutiny as allegations emerge against the Tara Yoga community and its association with the controversial figure Gregorian Bivolaru. This yoga style, emphasizing presence in sexual encounters and the harnessing of one's sexual energy, has been linked to a broader network accused of exploitation and manipulation. The scandal, unveiled by former member Miranda, highlights the dark undercurrents of a community she describes as both a wellness cult and a literal cult.
Miranda's journey into this community began in London, where she was recruited by followers of Bivolaru and introduced to Tara Yoga. She attended a three-day retreat in Somerset, focused on Tantric yoga, which encouraged participants to embrace their bodies and femininity. However, what started as a pursuit of love and connection soon spiraled into a series of disturbing events. Miranda found herself drawn deeper into the fold, eventually attending a course in Thailand where she learned to channel "Shakti" through sexuality.
The Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (Misa), founded by Bivolaru, has been accused of exploiting hundreds through an international network of yoga camps. Allegations include thought reform and isolation tactics to indoctrinate followers. Despite Bivolaru's questionable reputation, the community portrayed any accusations as persecution by the Romanian government.
Miranda's experience took a darker turn when she was blindfolded and driven to Bivolaru's Parisian apartment, where she faced pressure to engage in webcamming. In 2023, French police raided the apartment, arresting Bivolaru on charges including kidnap, human trafficking, rape, and "abuse of weakness." Previously wanted by Interpol, Bivolaru had evaded authorities by fleeing to Sweden and hiding in France after charges of tax evasion, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking emerged in 2016.
“I would say I was also pretty detached from the physical, at this point: ‘I’m here now, I have to get through this.’ There was a fair amount of dissociation going on.” – Miranda
Despite the community's awareness of Bivolaru's reputation, they continued to operate under the guise of spiritual enlightenment. Miranda now pursues a civil claim against Tara Yoga for alleged involvement in assault, trafficking, and causing personal injury. Her story sheds light on the psychological tactics employed by such organizations to maintain control over individuals.
“To continue, they [Tara Yoga and Misa] are relying on women like me to forgive, to retain our reputation, not to challenge things. I feel as if I’m overcoming that through speaking out against this abuse of power.” – Miranda
Hancock, a yoga teacher and journalist who once rented a teaching space at Tara Yoga, recalls seeing a photograph of Bivolaru displayed prominently in the studio. This revelation underscores the community's deep-seated ties to Bivolaru and raises questions about complicity within the broader wellness industry.
“If they say, ‘We ask people not to use mobile phones in the ashram to cultivate an environment of quiet, but you can use them off grounds or keep them on silent in case of family emergency’, that’s reasonable. Taking them away from you, less so.” – Tyldesley
The British Wheel of Yoga is currently piloting a database of registered practitioners to ensure accountability within the yoga community. This initiative aims to prevent similar abuses by providing transparency and oversight in an industry often shrouded in mystery.
“A yoga retreat should not be at all mysterious.” – Tyldesley