Chai opens up about the complexities of growing up in Yogaville, sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. He delves into the ways ashram leaders interfered with his family dynamics, corporal punishment at the community school, and what it has been like navigating adulthood after leaving the community. Chai and Brianna also revisit the unsolved mystery of a woman who dropped out of law school and married a swami after just a few weeks at Yogaville.
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45:46
Indoctrination
Satya, Brianna’s close friend from Yogaville, shares her personal journey of what led her to the ashram. They reflect on their experiences in the Living Yoga Training program, the unhealthy eating behaviors promoted within the ashram's culture, and how mental health crises are handled by Integral Yoga swamis. It’s a powerful and introspective conversation about self-discovery and confronting difficult truths.
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48:40
Initiation
Brianna Patten, former resident of a spiritual retreat center in Central Virginia called Yogaville, unpacks the community's toxic inner workings. She reflects on her secret mantra initiation ceremony and her complicated relationship with the ashram. In a revealing interview, Karla Helbert, a trauma therapist and former Integral Yoga leader, provides valuable insight as someone who was a member of the organization for decades. Both women stress the need for transparency, support systems for survivors, and the importance of practicing Ahimsa (non-violence) in yoga communities.
About Surviving Satchidananda: The Dark Secrets of an International Yoga Movement
Surviving Satchidananda exposes the toxic underbelly of Yogaville, an internationally acclaimed spiritual retreat in Central Virginia. Through raw personal stories and interviews with experts, this gripping series reveals the hidden truths behind the so-called sanctuary. Hosted by Brianna Patten, a former Yogaville resident and insider, Surviving Satchidananda explores themes of power, secrecy, and corruption. With a focus on healing and justice, this show is a must-listen for anyone seeking to better understand the allure of spiritual communities and the impact of cult-like environments.
Listen to Surviving Satchidananda: The Dark Secrets of an International Yoga Movement, Maher Al Mueaqly and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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