Paris, November 28, 2023, in a dramatic early-morning raid, French police apprehended the 71-year-old Romanian-Swedish yoga guru, Gregorian Bivolaru, and forty members of the Atman Yoga Federation, known as the Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA). The arrests come on the heels of grave accusations, including brainwashing female adherents for sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Gregorian Bivolaru, a prominent figure in the global yoga community and author, was taken into custody at a residence in Ivry-sur-Seine, near Paris. The Atman Yoga Federation, with its main office in England, offers yoga classes and teacher training. The sect, also known as MISA, has gained notoriety for its controversial practices and teachings.
Massive Police Operation and Allegations
The apprehension unfolded with a massive operation involving 175 police officers, resulting in the release of 26 women who complained of being held against their will. Disturbing accounts revealed the women had been kept in cramped and dirty conditions. The operation spanned locations in Paris, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, and the Alpes-Maritimes.
French authorities initiated an inquiry following claims of psychological manipulation and sexual abuse within MISA. Former members provided information leading to charges of human trafficking, organized kidnapping, rape, and systematic abuse of frailty by cult members.
Finnish authorities had previously sought Bivolaru for suspected aggravated human trafficking, with Interpol issuing a notice for his arrest. Bivolaru’s websites and those of the Atman Federation alleged a vast conspiracy aimed at undermining him.
Bivolaru’s history includes a 2013 conviction in Romania for having sex with a minor, leading to his extradition in 2016. However, he escaped Romania in 2017 after being granted conditional release. Starting his cult in the 1990s, Bivolaru promoted “erotic tantric yoga” to expand his followers globally, establishing schools in nearly 30 countries.
Cultic Practices and Controversies
Accusations against Bivolaru include coercing supporters into group intercourse and financial exploitation. Former victim Agnes Arabela Marques disclosed her experiences, citing promises of spiritual elevation through sexual acts. Finnish activist Seppo Isotalo revealed the cult’s financial exploitation, including sending women to Japan for financial gain and the domineering nature of the group.
Miss Shakti Competition and Explicit Rites
The Miss Shakti competition at MISA’s annual summer camp includes erotic rituals, with masturbation in front of cameras being a featured aspect. Participants undergo explicit photo submissions, STD tests, and engage in controversial sexual activities.
Despite calling itself the “largest yoga school in Romania and in Europe,” MISA faced exclusion from reputable yoga federations in 2008 due to alleged “illicit” practices. The group claims to use a traditional rigorous approach to yoga, incorporating erotic postures and amorous energy control techniques from tantra yoga.
Legal Oversight and Investigations
La Ligue des droits de l’Homme, a human rights organization, obtained statements from twelve former MISA members, prompting investigations overseen by the OCRVP and the Miviludes. The accusations allege coerced sexual activities and fee-paying pornographic practices.
The arrest of Gregorian Bivolaru and the allegations against MISA highlight a disturbing underbelly of exploitation within the cultic organization. As legal proceedings unfold, international attention is drawn to the fine line between spiritual guidance and exploitation within such groups. The global yoga community awaits the outcomes of investigations into MISA’s practices, questioning the ethical boundaries of spiritual leadership.
