Apple TV’s new three‑part documentary Twisted Yoga drops on March 13, 2026, and brings survivors’ accounts of alleged manipulation, sexual initiation and trafficking into the open. The series matters because it reframes a spiritual-search story into a legal and cultural reckoning: women who sought community say they were exploited by a global tantric network tied to Romanian leader Gregorian Bivolaru.

What the series shows

Twisted Yoga follows former members who went to yoga studios promising spiritual growth and found themselves drawn into coercive practices. Interviewees describe a pattern: charismatic teachers, promises of “next steps” in spiritual evolution, and private “initiations” that crossed clear boundaries.

Director Rowan Deacon and her team lay out disturbing episodes recounted by survivors — from mass sexual rituals at a Romanian villa to alleged private sessions summoned to a Paris apartment. Some women say they were pressured into sex work and told they were saving clients’ souls; others describe being dismissed as “manipulated by demons” if they resisted.

Survivors, the guru and the allegations

The series centers on Gregorian Bivolaru, the founder of what was called the Atman Yoga Federation. Bivolaru, now in his 70s, has long been a controversial figure in Romania and has faced legal scrutiny in several countries.

He was arrested in France in 2023 on charges including rape, kidnapping and human trafficking; he denies the allegations. The documentary traces the movement’s appeal and the ways power and sexual access were reportedly used to control members.

Who made it and how it’s structured

Twisted Yoga is produced for Apple TV by Lightbox with Ladywell Films. Executive producers include Simon Chinn, Jonathan Chinn, Suzanne Lavery and Bernadette Higgins; Rowan Deacon directed. The series is three episodes long: “All About Love,” “Initiation” and “The Guru,” all released the same day.

How to watch

  • The series is an Apple Original, available exclusively on Apple TV starting March 13, 2026.
  • Apple TV offers a seven‑day free trial for new subscribers, enough to stream all three episodes at once.
  • Apple TV bundles (for example with Peacock) are another option for subscribing at a discount.
  • If you’re traveling and your usual library is blocked, a VPN can help — reviews in advance named NordVPN for speed and device support.

Why this matters now

The series arrives amid active legal cases and broader conversations about how spiritual and wellness communities can be exploited. Twisted Yoga shifts the focus from exoticized tantra to the real consequences: trauma, reputational harm and international investigations.

It also raises questions for yoga studios and teachers worldwide; several studios tied to the network deny any criminal association, while survivors call for accountability and clearer safeguards in wellness spaces.

What to watch for next

Expect renewed public and legal attention: French authorities continue investigations, survivors may pursue civil or criminal avenues, and further reporting could follow. For viewers, the series is both a cautionary tale and a prompt to ask tougher questions about transparency and consent in spiritual communities.

Apple TV’s release makes the full story available immediately. Watchers should be aware the series contains detailed accounts that some viewers may find disturbing.