Sunday, November 27, 2022

Yoga Sex Abuse: Mindful Strength Podcast

Host Kathryn Bruni-Young (Podcast), Karen Rain; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Karen Rain (Haberman): Sex abuse in Ashtanga Yoga w/ Kathryn Bruni-Young
(Kathryn Bruni-Young, #90) Jan. 30, 2019. The Mindful Strength Podcast made the Top 20 Biomechanics Blogs for 2019 list. Support from listeners makes this happen.

TRIGGER WARNING: This conversation covers topics like sexual abuse that might be sensitive to some listeners.

Karen Rain (aka Karen Haberman) was an advanced Ashtanga (Vinyasa) student who experienced almost daily sexual abuse while working with K. Pattabhi Jois, as he was sexually allegedly abusing others as well.

In this interview, Rain (Haberman) shares her opinions on cults, yoga, gurus, and trauma-informed practice in a way that will spark critical thinking.
She speaks about her experiences in Mysore, India, why she decided not to return (due to the sexual and financial abuse by Jois), and the painful reasons why she quit her yoga practice altogether.

She also comments on the people who have supported her and the devoted students who participated in the covering up and silencing of stories like her own.

Rain also speaks about her relationship with Matthew Remski and how his work is changing the yoga landscape for the better.

(Wise Studies/trueryan.com) Yoga and Ayurveda Teacher Matthew Remski talks
about KARMA as understood in Hinduism with Lonely Guru Ryan Spielman.

This conversation culminates in a really practical discussion of trauma, consent, and ways in which yoga teachers can make their classes more accessible and effective.

This is a powerful conversation and a really important topic. We are grateful to Rain for sharing her experiences with us and we believe there is a lot to be learned from her.

Please visit kathrynbruniyoung.com to access the show notes, which include a handful of Karen Rain's articles and other links that help us further understand this difficult topic.

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