Episode 450: Bikram Choudhury: Yoga Guru or Cult-Leader Rapist?
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On this episode of the Sofa King Podcast, we look at the life and crimes of Bikram Choudhury, yoga guru and rapist. This guy ticked all the boxes of a cult leader: crazy charisma, the ability to bilk money from followers, promises of better spiritual and physical life, and lots of sex! He allegedly taught yoga to Elvis, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Quincy Jones, Barbara Streisand, Madonna, Lady Gaga and David Beckham. He never called it a cult, but he had over 650 franchises of his yoga studio around the world and millions of dollars and assets provided by thousands of adoring followers. The problem was, a lot of his sex was not consensual. He was a predator who would sexually assault and rape people at his nine week long yoga seminars held at plush hotels. Eventually, he was busted by the likes of Larissa Anderson and Sarah Baughn, and he lost his empire to his ex-lawyer Minakshi Jafa-Bodden. So where is he now? Did he ever do any jail time? What countries will let him live there without extradition? Was his divorce a sham to hide money? Listen, laugh, learn.
Visit Our Sources:
https://www.mamamia.com.au/bikram-choudhury/
https://www.oxygen.com/true-crime-buzz/did-rajashree-choudhury-divorce-yoga-guru-husband-bikram
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/20/bikram-choudhury-yoga-founder-abuse-netflix-documentary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bikram_Choudhury
https://www.popsugar.com/entertainment/bikram-yogi-guru-predator-true-story-46896525
Netflix Original Documentary: Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator
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