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Yoga Guru Bikram Choudhury Fined $7 Million For Sexual Harassment Case
Bikram Choudhury, founder of the Bikram yoga empire, was fined $7 million in punitive damages to his former legal advisor, Minakshi Jaffa-Bodden.
Jaffa-Bodden filed her case of wrongful termination against Choudhury after she was abruptly fired for investigating claims that he had previously raped a former student. But Jaffa-Bodden alleged that she had endured months of inappropriate behaviour and harassment from Choudhury, who often asked her to meet him in hotel rooms where younger female employees massaged him. Her lawsuit alleged that Choudhury asked her to join him in bed and that he urinated in front of her and simulated oral sex.
Bikram Choudhury at a Yoga Session
Photo Credit: LA Times
Photo Credit: LA Times
Jaffa-Bodden's case is separate from the six other women who've filed specific cases against Choudhury for sexual assault. Five of them allege that he raped them. Jaffa-Bodden's alleged treatment by Choudhury is unacceptable. She told reporters, “I feel vindicated, I'm elated," and she described Choudhury as “a dangerous, dangerous predator.”
Choudhury attempted to downplay his wealth during the trial. He claimed that he was broke and needed to borrow from family and friends to support himself. Yet he has a fleet of Rolls Royces and Beverly Hills mansions that come up in a lot of profiles about him. The defence showed photos of these assets to the jury and called Choudhury out on his claims. Choudhury testified that his business relies on teacher training, which is necessary for followers who want to run their own Bikram-affiliated studios. These classes range from $12,500 to $16, 600 in costs, and Choudhury claimed that numbers were down and enrolment was very low.
Choudhury with his Clothes on at the Start of a Session
Photo Credit: Yoga Dork
Photo Credit: Yoga Dork
There's been another recent blow to Choudhury's empire. He lost his appeal to copyright his 26-pose session. The court ruled that since his hot yoga aims at physical health and exercise, it can't be patented. A patent would have meant that Choudhury could charge any of his affiliates for using his methods and sue anyone for their similar poses.
Forking out almost $7 million in this case could mean that Choudhury's other accusers may win favour in the courts. One juror at Jaffa-Bodden's trial hugged her afterwards and noted that she could tell Choudhury was lying about his claims of being broke. This loss of public favour is a far cry from Choudhury's beginnings as the go-to yogi for the Hollywood set, including Raquel Welch, Quincy Jones and even former president Richard Nixon. After Choudhury moved from Kolkata to California in 1971, Bikram Yoga became a hot trend and Choudhury steadily built himself an empire through his teachings and courses.
As Jaffa-Bodden said, the trial marked a good day for women in the courts, and it may open the door for more women to speak out. Seventy witnesses shared their testimonies against Choudhury.
Main Image Photo Credit: BBC
Rumnique Nannar
Author
Rumnique Nannar is a new journalist with a passion for all things pop culture, film, and art. Rumnique was born in London, with a predilection for devouring English chocolate with her Vogue, ANOKHI, and Glamour magazines in tow. She is currently in her Journalism Masters at UBC. Connect ...
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