Oxfordshire Woman Alleges Involvement in Trafficking and Exploitation Ring Linked to Yoga Centre

An Oxfordshire resident has reported becoming entangled in an international trafficking and sexual exploitation network within two years of her enrollment at a yoga facility. Miranda, identified as a tutor, stated that she became a member of the Tara Yoga Centre, situated near Old Street in London, in 2017. This centre maintains additional locations on Cowley Road in Oxford and in Plymouth, and operates as an affiliate of the Atman federation, an organization that disseminates the doctrines of Gregorian Bivolaru, a convicted sex offender. Miranda recounted being convinced to perform as a webcam model for an online live pornography enterprise and participating in an initiation ritual that included extended sexual intercourse, which she now perceives as an element of a cult. In November 2023, Bivolaru faced charges in France for human trafficking, organized kidnapping, rape, and the French criminal offense of organized abuse of weakness by a sect. Furthermore, he is sought in Finland on charges related to aggravated human trafficking. Miranda stated that she engaged in sexualized rituals through a sequence of interactions with various components of the federation’s global movement. She reported being deceived into traveling to a villa situated near Prague, where she was subsequently convinced to work as a webcam performer for an online pornography business for a duration of six months. She also mentioned being transported blindfolded through Paris to a clandestine meeting point with Bivolaru. Her belief was that undergoing a sexual “initiation” rite with him could potentially lead to a spiritual breakthrough. Her accounts are featured in a new BBC Sounds and Radio 4 podcast titled World of Secrets: The Bad Guru, which premiered on Monday. “I wanted to believe that whatever they were doing, even if it seemed gross to me, and inappropriate and hyper-sexualised, was for some spiritual reason that I couldn’t yet understand,” Miranda said. She further stated, “The only thing I can do now is to speak about this and to put my reputation and everything else on the line. But I want truth and justice and for people to not be hurt, for things to be different in the future.” Cat McShane, the presenter, interviewed women who became associated with the movement through various means, including via affiliated educational institutions. Ms McShane, the podcast’s presenter, remarked, “The women I met are intelligent women, who quite unremarkably joined a yoga class. But what happened to them is anything but unremarkable.” She added, “Over the last four years, I’ve heard some deeply worrying accounts of coercion and sexual exploitation for profit, after they became involved with one of the affiliates of the Atman federation. It is important that these stories are heard.” The Tara Yoga Centre has also conducted classes in Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester, Burton-on-Trent, and Woking. Both the centre and the Atman federation informed the BBC that they unequivocally condemn all forms of abuse. They both stated that they have received counsel to refrain from further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings. The Atman federation communicated to the BBC that it functions completely independently from all its member schools. BBC Studios sought comment from Gregorian Bivolaru via his legal representative but did not receive a reply. Gregorian Bivolaru is presumed innocent regarding the charges in France. Following the initial release of the series, Atman issued a statement asserting that Gregorian Bivolaru is a victim of prejudice and unsubstantiated allegations, and that they have never condoned, nor will they ever condone, any teachings of sexualized behavior within the Atman Federation. Misa, a yoga organization linked to Bivolaru, offered a strong defense of him. It claimed he has been subjected to political persecution and false allegations, and that his doctrines are adhered to by over 40,000 individuals globally. It further stated that in the instance of his conviction for a sex offense, the alleged victim now asserts she was compelled by the Romanian police to provide a false statement.