Apple TV has premiered its gripping new docuseries “Twisted Yoga” on March 13, 2026, and the three-part series is already generating significant conversation across the global yoga community. The documentary follows a group of young yoga students who were initially drawn to the ancient practice in search of inner peace, only to fall under the troubling influence of a reclusive Romanian guru named Gregorian Bivolaru.
What the Docuseries Covers
The series traces the journey of several practitioners who traveled to Eastern Europe seeking authentic yoga instruction and spiritual growth. What they found instead was a carefully constructed web of manipulation and control that exploited their desire for enlightenment. The documentary features first-person accounts from former students who share their experiences of gradually losing autonomy within the group.
Bivolaru, the central figure in the docuseries, built a following around a blend of traditional yoga philosophy and his own interpretations of spiritual practice. The documentary reveals how charismatic leadership, combined with the vulnerability of students seeking meaning, created conditions ripe for exploitation. Former followers describe a gradual process of isolation from family and friends that they only recognized in hindsight.
Why This Matters for the Yoga Community
The release of “Twisted Yoga” comes at a pivotal moment for the yoga world. As the practice continues to grow globally, with an estimated 300 million practitioners worldwide, questions about accountability and ethical standards within yoga communities have become increasingly urgent. The docuseries adds to a growing body of work examining how spiritual authority can be misused.
Industry leaders have responded to the documentary with calls for greater transparency and safeguarding within yoga organizations. Several prominent yoga teachers have spoken out in support of the series, arguing that confronting these uncomfortable truths is essential for the health of the practice as a whole. The Yoga Alliance has reiterated its commitment to ethical standards and teacher accountability.
The documentary also highlights the importance of informed consent in yoga settings and the need for students to maintain critical thinking even within spiritual contexts. Experts featured in the series emphasize that authentic yoga traditions have always stressed the importance of personal discernment and warn against any teacher who demands unquestioning obedience.
Red Flags to Watch For
Mental health professionals featured in the documentary outline several warning signs that a yoga community may be engaging in manipulative practices. These include isolation from outside relationships, financial exploitation, pressure to recruit new members, discouragement of questioning the teacher, and claims of exclusive spiritual knowledge. Recognizing these patterns early can help practitioners protect themselves.
The series also explores how social media has both helped and hindered efforts to address these issues. While platforms have given survivors a voice to share their experiences, they have also provided new avenues for charismatic figures to build followings and attract vulnerable individuals seeking spiritual guidance in an increasingly complex world.
The Broader Context of Yoga Safety
This documentary arrives in the context of a broader cultural reckoning with power dynamics in wellness spaces. From fitness instructors to meditation teachers, the wellness industry has faced growing scrutiny about how authority figures interact with students and clients. The yoga community, with its emphasis on trust and surrender, faces particular challenges in establishing healthy boundaries.
Advocates for reform in the yoga world emphasize that the vast majority of yoga teachers and studios operate with integrity and genuine care for their students. The goal of documentaries like “Twisted Yoga” is not to discourage people from practicing yoga but to empower them with the knowledge they need to find safe, supportive learning environments.
For anyone who has experienced manipulation or abuse in a yoga or wellness setting, mental health professionals recommend reaching out to a licensed therapist who has experience with these specific dynamics. Several organizations now specialize in supporting individuals who have left high-control groups and can provide guidance for recovery and healing.
“Twisted Yoga” is available for streaming on Apple TV as of March 13, 2026. The three episodes can be watched individually or as a complete series, and viewer discretion is advised due to the sensitive nature of the subject matter.
