Surviving Satchidananda: The Dark Secrets of an International Yoga Movement

• At The Right Hand of The Guru: Vijay's Story

  Vijay played a significant role creating and developing the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco. He describes his experiences working with Swami Satchidananda, including both the positive spiritual guidance he recieved and the challenges posed by the guru's unethical relationships with disciples. Vijay explains why he decided to advocate for those harmed by Swami Satchidananda and the community's reaction to his speaking out. survivingsatchidananda.com

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• Assaulted by the Guru: Sharada's Story

  Sharada Thompson shares about the abuse she experienced at the hands of Swami Satchidananda, how the Integral Yoga Community responded, and tools spiritual seekers can use to notice toxic patterns and protect themselves from falling under coercive control. https://gurusexabuse.com/womens-testimony/#sharada

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• Growing Up in Yogaville: Forest’s Story

  Forest, who grew up in Yogaville, shares about the challenges of being homeschooled in an isolated community. We discuss the disciplinary culture at the ashram, violence among kids who grew up there, and how an ashram upbringing impacts adulthood. survivingsatchidananda.com

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• Carol Merchasin: “The Cult Assassin” who is taking Yogaville to Court

  In this episode, Brianna interviews Carol Merchasin, the notorious attorney who takes on abusive spiritual communities in court. Her firm, Mcallister Olivarius, is currently supporting plaintiffs Shanti Norris and Susan Cohen in their legal battle against Yogaville/Integral Yoga. Merchasin's work is part of a broader effort to hold spiritual organizations accountable for misconduct. She has previously represented individuals in cases involving spiritual communities such as The Shambhala International Lineage of Buddhism and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. Read the Yogaville court documents yourself here with the index number: 952220-2023 https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/iscroll/IScroll If you would like to share any information about Yogaville with Brianna, email [email protected]

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• Growing Up In Yogaville: Chai's Story

  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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