Twisted Yoga: Inside the Gregorian Bivolaru Cult Case

## What is the series about?

Twisted Yoga is a three-episode true crime documentary series about the Romanian self-proclaimed guru Gregorian Bivolaru and the international tantric yoga network he built under the names Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute (MISA) and Atman Yoga Federation. The series, which premiered on March 13, 2026 on Apple TV+, documents how women are said to have been lured into the movement with promises of spiritual enlightenment — only to end up as victims of sexual exploitation, coercion and violence.

Directed by Rowan Deacon, the series gives voice to former female members who are now cooperating with French authorities, while the case against Bivolaru remains pending before a French court.

## The case behind the documentary

Gregorian Bivolaru presented himself as a spiritual master and, over the course of decades, built an impressive network of yoga schools and retreats that spread from Romania across the rest of Europe. Followers — primarily young women — were drawn in by promises of self-development, spiritual growth and enlightenment.

According to the allegations, as described by The Guardian, Bivolaru and his network used a system of gradual manipulation: new members would start with seemingly innocent yoga classes, but were progressively drawn deeper into the movement's inner circles, where they were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation and control. A Paris apartment is described as a central site for so-called initiations that, according to witnesses, were in reality sexual assaults.

The formal charges in France cover organized kidnapping, human trafficking and rape. Allegations of abuse of vulnerable individuals date back to at least 2016 in Romania. In 2023, Bivolaru was arrested in Paris and placed in pre-trial detention, where he has been held ever since awaiting trial. He denies the charges.

The Atman Yoga Federation, for its part, has denied responsibility, stating that the organization does not take responsibility for the personal lives of affiliated teachers, students or staff — and that the allegations remain under investigation.

## The production

The documentary series is directed by Rowan Deacon, and TV Insider describes the series' approach as deeply rooted in the testimony of former female members who came forward to share their experiences. The series follows their journey from spiritual seeking to gradual encroachments on their personal freedom and autonomy — and ultimately to their cooperation with French authorities.

The production combines interviews with survivors, archival footage from the movement, and investigative journalism. The series' three episodes are structured to show the gradual progression characteristic of cult-like movements: from enticement to isolation and finally to control.

## Reception

Early coverage from outlets including Time, The Guardian and Variety describes the series as shocking and disturbing — driven by powerful testimony and investigative research. CinemaBlend compares the series' themes to the NXIVM case, the scandal-plagued American cult that also centered on a charismatic leader and the sexual exploitation of female members. The comparison has recurred in viewer reactions and social media comment threads.

An official IMDb rating had not yet been verified at the time of release. The series' trailer on YouTube has attracted considerable attention, and the global interest in the case reflects a broader fascination with cults and spiritual deception.

The central controversy is the very premise of the allegations: a cult-like system of sexual exploitation within a movement that marketed itself as a path to spiritual freedom. The Atman Federation's denial of responsibility has been seen by critics as yet another example of institutional deflection.

## The case today

As of the March 2026 release date, Gregorian Bivolaru remains in French custody awaiting trial in France. No final verdict has been issued in the French case. The women who appear in the documentary series continue to work with authorities in pursuit of justice.

Twisted Yoga stands as another reminder of how spiritual communities can become platforms for systematic exploitation — and of how long and painful the road to the courtroom can be for the victims who choose to come forward.