Bikram yoga founder Bikram Choudhury has been accused of sexual assault by his yoga practitioners, students, instructors and teacher trainees. Photo: AFPChicago: Bikram Choudhury Yoga Inc., the studio that popularized doing yoga in sauna heat, has filed for US Chapter 11 bankruptcy, dogged by $16.7 million in legal judgments and numerous lawsuits and allegations of sexual misconduct. Founder Bikram Choudhury, who built a worldwide following with classes of 26 yoga postures in rooms heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6°C), has been accused of sexual assault by his yoga practitioners, students, instructors and teacher trainees. Bodden alleged that Choudhury repeatedly subjected her to vulgar sexual gestures and offensive comments about women and minority groups. The bankruptcy filing, which included affiliates Bikram Inc. and Bikram Yoga College of India, follows heightened social awareness over sexual misconduct in the wake of allegations against movie producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Louis C.K.

Source: Mint November 11, 2017 05:48 UTC