Yoga takes a dark twist in the newest docuseries from Apple TV, titled Twisted Yoga.
Several young women have decided to speak out about a multinational association of tantric yoga centers, which took unsuspecting victims and allegedly indoctrinated them into sexual exploitation.
What is Twisted Yoga About?
Twisted Yoga follows a group of young yoga students from around the world, drawn to the practice of finding inner peace and purpose. Instead, they fell under the influence of reclusive Romanian “guru” Gregorian Bivolaru.
The spiritual leader was the head of an international network of yoga studios (first the Movement for the Spiritual Integration into the Absolute, later known as the Atman Yoga Federation) specializing in tantric rituals.
When the women begin to feel as if they are in a cult, they discover that Bivolaru has a dark past. That’s not even touching the fact that he often summoned select female students to his Paris apartment for private initiations.
Bivolaru has since been arrested and faces charges in France, with the women from the documentary and French authorities working together to convict him.
Bivolaru’s Arrest
Gregorian Bivolaru, 73, was arrested in Paris in 2023. He faces charges in France, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and rape. He has denied the allegations.
The women featured in the documentary are working with French authorities to convict Bivolaru.
The Atman Federation, mentioned in the documentary, stated that it is not responsible for the private lives of staff, students, and teachers of affiliate schools.
All current allegations remain under investigation and are unproven.
Behind the Scenes
Executive producers for the docuseries are Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, Suzanne Lavery, and Bernadette Higgins. Rowan Deacon is the director.
Twisted Yoga is produced for Apple TV by Lightbox, in association with Ladywell Films.
When Does Twisted Yoga Premiere?
Twisted Yoga is a three-part docuseries that will premiere globally on Apple TV on March 13th, 2026.