Thailand's Agama yoga school to close after sexual assault claims

Hannah Ellis-Petersen

 

The Agama Yoga studio in Koh Phangan, Thailand. Photograph: Tripadvisor

 

Koh Phangan retreat will shut for ‘restructuring’ after allegations, revealed in the Guardian, against its leader

 

The world’s biggest tantric yoga school has said it will close down until the end of the year after the Guardian published allegations by 14 women alleging rape and sexual abuse over a period of 15 years.

 

Sixteen former staff and pupils of the Agama school on the Thai island of Koh Phangan alleged in interviews with the Guardian that it facilitated rape, sexual assault and misogynist teachings at the hands of its leader Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, a Romanian whose real name is Narcis Tarcau.

 

The complainants allege that hundreds of women were conditioned into believing that sex with Tarcau would heal them physically and spiritually.

 

Full story: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/14/thailand-agama-yoga-school-to-close-after-sex-assault-allegations-koh-phangan

 

The Guardian: 2018-09-15

 

Considering the sheer number of gullible people in search of a charlatan, closing this place is probably a good idea. 

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The complainants allege that hundreds of women were conditioned into believing that sex with Tarcau would heal them physically and spiritually. 

 

Now why didn't I think of that approach.....

 

As the saying goes -- "There's a sucker born every minute."

 

And I guess in this case, the meaning probably would be quite literal...    

Now a days there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians, way too many wanna be or think to be a qualified yoga Instructor with a little practice and short training, way too many so called yoga schools in Bangkok which aren’t noteven Yoga alliance registered ! Most have no idea about the essence of yoga ??‍♂️

So our Romanian friend had the ability to legally operate a yoga school and find pupils and followers who actually paid him to get laid. Give the man a medal - I mean - too much of a good thing is wonderful.

Just wondering how this could go on so long until the bubble bursted. In these days of spirituality all sorts of clowns manage to entertain a full circus ..................  

Was there reports from 15 years ago or after the resent reports some lady have a flashback from15 years ago " Hey that instructor had his hand up my butt "I think ".

Very unfortunate that those who would love to simply participate in yoga classes are deprived of their opportunity to do so to improve their body's flexibility through stretching exercises.    Yes, there are other places but Agama could serve so many willing students and hence their choice will create an imbalance for a while.

"rape and sexual assault" are serious crimes.

 

"women were conditioned into believing that sex with Tarcau would heal them physically and spiritually" sounds like consensual sex by gullible women. Quite a difference.

 

if you sign up to a cult that that plays with your lower regions you cant complain, and they didnt, well not for a long long time anyway

40 minutes ago, cookieqw said:

if you sign up to a cult that that plays with your lower regions you cant complain, and they didnt, well not for a long long time anyway

He tickled their fancy. 

 

Yoga, yoga, yoga ...

 

On 9/15/2018 at 2:56 PM, connda said:

Considering the sheer number of gullible people in search of a charlatan, closing this place is probably a good idea. 

 

idiots will find a new place, they need it !