Apple TV’s new three-part docuseries “Twisted Yoga,” which premiered globally on March 13, has ignited a fierce conversation within the yoga world about guru culture, spiritual authority, and the line between devoted teaching and systemic abuse. Directed by Rowan Deacon and produced by two-time Academy Award winner Simon Chinn, the series follows young yoga students from around the world who sought inner peace through practice — only to fall under the control of Romanian teacher Gregorian Bivolaru.
The documentary has already drawn millions of viewers and a 6.2 rating on IMDb, but its significance extends far beyond entertainment. For anyone who practices or teaches yoga, “Twisted Yoga” raises questions that the community has grappled with for decades — and that remain urgent today.
What the Docuseries Reveals
“Twisted Yoga” centers on Gregorian Bivolaru, the spiritual leader of an international network of yoga studios specializing in tantric rituals. The series traces how Bivolaru built a following across Europe and beyond, attracting idealistic young practitioners who were drawn to the ancient traditions of yoga in search of purpose and transformation.
Through firsthand accounts from former students and extensive investigative reporting, the documentary reveals how the promise of deep spiritual knowledge was allegedly weaponized to manipulate vulnerable students. Bivolaru currently awaits trial in France on charges including human trafficking, kidnapping, and rape — allegations that have sent shockwaves through the international yoga community.
The production itself carries considerable weight. Produced by Lightbox in association with Ladywell Films, and backed by the resources of Apple TV, this is not a fringe exposé but a mainstream, well-funded investigation that has brought these issues to a global audience in a way previous reports could not.
Why This Matters for the Yoga Community
The issues raised by “Twisted Yoga” are not new. The yoga world has confronted allegations of guru misconduct repeatedly over the past two decades — from Bikram Choudhury to Pattabhi Jois to various Kundalini lineage leaders. What makes this moment different is the scale of the platform. Apple TV reaches tens of millions of households worldwide, meaning that many of the people watching this documentary are not yoga practitioners — they’re people forming their first impressions of the practice.
This creates both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is obvious: stories of abuse can reinforce misconceptions that yoga itself is inherently dangerous or cultish. The opportunity is equally significant: honest public reckoning with these failures can accelerate the structural changes that many within the community have been advocating for years.
For yoga teachers and teacher training programs, the docuseries underscores the critical importance of ethical frameworks, transparent power dynamics, and clear boundaries between spiritual guidance and personal authority. These are not abstract concerns — they are foundational to the integrity of the practice.
The Accountability Conversation in 2026
The timing of “Twisted Yoga” coincides with broader shifts in how the yoga industry approaches accountability. In 2026, several major teacher training organizations have adopted enhanced codes of conduct, mandatory ethics modules, and third-party reporting mechanisms. Yoga Alliance, the largest international registry for yoga teachers and schools, has expanded its ethical guidelines and complaint resolution processes in response to years of advocacy from practitioners and survivors.
These institutional changes reflect a growing recognition that the traditional guru-student relationship — while rooted in ancient pedagogical wisdom — requires modern safeguards when practiced within contemporary settings. The intimate, trust-based nature of yoga and meditation instruction creates unique vulnerabilities that standard professional ethics frameworks may not fully address.
Several prominent yoga teachers have publicly responded to the docuseries by emphasizing that healthy teaching relationships should empower students to develop their own discernment — not create dependence on a single authority figure. This principle sits at the heart of classical yoga philosophy, which ultimately aims to help practitioners discover their own inner teacher.
Red Flags Every Yoga Student Should Know
For practitioners at every level, from complete beginners to experienced students, “Twisted Yoga” offers a stark reminder of the warning signs that should prompt caution in any teacher-student relationship.
Be wary of teachers who discourage questions or critical thinking, who claim exclusive access to spiritual truth, who blur physical or sexual boundaries under the guise of “advanced practice,” who isolate students from outside relationships and perspectives, or who create financial dependence through escalating course fees or communal living arrangements.A genuine yoga teacher will welcome your questions, respect your boundaries, encourage you to maintain your outside relationships and support systems, and never claim that their way is the only path. The practice of yoga is vast, diverse, and belongs to no single person or lineage.
Moving Forward With Eyes Open
Perhaps the most valuable outcome of “Twisted Yoga” is not the exposure of one individual’s alleged crimes, but the broader conversation it has catalyzed about how the yoga community can better protect its most vulnerable members while preserving the depth and transformative potential of the practice.
Yoga remains one of the most powerful tools we have for nervous system regulation, physical health, and psychological well-being. The science supporting its benefits has never been stronger. But that power demands responsibility — from teachers, from training organizations, and from each of us as practitioners willing to hold our community to the highest standards.
If you’re currently in or considering a teacher-student relationship that feels uncomfortable, trust that instinct. Your practice should leave you feeling more empowered, not less. And if “Twisted Yoga” has raised questions about your own yoga journey, consider that questioning itself is one of the most yogic things you can do.
