Grassroots Organising against a Perpetrator: A Case Study

In the last several decades, there have been dozens of revelations of abuse within the world of modern yoga. These have involved living and dead yoga teachers from around the world and in nearly every major school of yoga. While coverage of abuse has focused on the abuse itself, those who expose it, and the immediate uncertainty it creates, little attention has been given to the aftermath. This panel offers case studies and theories of how particular organizations in the world of modern yoga, as well as the yoga industry itself, respond to revelations of abuse.

This paper examines the grassroots organising that took place to raise awareness and ultimately prevent Bikram Choudhury from teaching in Cananda in 2023.

In 2023 Bikram Choudhury attempted to enter Canada and teach a yoga workshop. He was supported and hosted by former students but was prevented from doing so. Equally, a former student, and survivor, of Choudhury and other Canadian yoga teachers worked together to raise awareness of his scheduled arrival. This paper will examine the power dynamics at play that enabled, and then prevented, the transnational travel of a yoga teacher who is want for arrest in the USA. What were the justifications used by those supporting Choudhury – do they use yogic concepts and ideals to overlook criminality? Conversely, what tools were available to those who stood against Choudhury? Are we in the aftermath of accusations made against Choudhury, or will it continue to be an ongoing issue? What support do grassroots organisers have from yoga industry institutions?