Doubling-Down and De-Branding: Sustaining Kundalini Yoga After Revelations of Abuse

Starting in 2020, a wave of allegations against the late-Yogi Bhajan (1929-2004), known for the teaching of Kundalini Yoga, went public. These allegations included sexual assault, abuse, fraud, and theft. His style of yoga and the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization (3HO) he founded seemed imperiled and destined to be forever tarnished like so many celebrities who were accused of harm during the #MeToo era. But remarkably, five years later the organization remains intact, and the yoga continues to be taught throughout the world.

This paper explores how Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan was sustained after revelations of abuse. I argue that this was done in two arenas. The first was through institutional actions by 3HO itself. In 2020, 3HO engaged outside firms to produce a report on abuse, create a “listening tour” of those harmed, and a reparations program to offer settlements to survivors. These methods claimed values such as compassion and used social justice language, but they were all outside of the legal system and effectively functioned to stop legal threats to the organization while creating the appearance of accountability.

Secondly, the yoga was sustained through the decentralized nature of both Kundalini Yoga and the wider wellness industry. Outside of the organization, many teachers and studios began to market Kundalini Yoga without mention of Yogi Bhajan and outside the purview of 3HO. While unable to be completely accounted for, it is likely that the practices of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan are more widespread than ever before.

Kundalini Yoga is a powerful case study of how styles of yoga and yoga organizations can outlive overwhelming allegations of abuse, both through the emerging strategy of private settlements and the unregulated industry of yoga lead by the consumer.