Vanity Fair Confidential Season 3 Episode 8 Bikram Feels The Heat By Benjamin Wallace

Bikram Feels The Heat is an episode from the third season of Vanity Fair Confidential, a true crime series from the Investigation Discovery Network. The show explores some of the most notorious crimes, scandals, and mysteries in recent history. Each episode focuses on a different case and features interviews with those who were involved, from law enforcement to family members and others affected by the crime.

In this episode, viewers are taken inside the world of Bikram Choudhury, the flamboyant founder of Bikram Yoga. Choudhury is known worldwide for popularizing hot yoga, which is performed in a room heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Choudhury's empire grew rapidly, with countless studios popping up all over the globe. However, allegations of sexual harassment and assault plagued Choudhury for years, eventually resulting in multiple lawsuits.

The episode begins by tracing Choudhury's rise to fame and fortune. Viewers see footage of Choudhury teaching classes, which were often described as grueling and intense. Choudhury was known for pushing his students to their limits, and many people claimed that his classes changed their lives. However, as the episode progresses, a different side of Choudhury emerges.

The first allegations against Choudhury surfaced in the early 2000s. A former student named Sarah Baughn claimed that Choudhury had sexually harassed her while she was training to become a teacher. The lawsuit was settled out of court, but it was just the beginning of a long legal battle for Choudhury.

The documentary delves into the details of the various lawsuits that were filed against Choudhury. The allegations ranged from sexual harassment to rape, with multiple women coming forward to share their stories. The lawsuits were complicated by the fact that many of the victims were also employees of Choudhury's yoga empire, creating a power dynamic that many found hard to navigate.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, Choudhury continued to deny any wrongdoing. He claimed that he was the victim of a "conspiracy" and that the women were all lying. Some of his students even rallied around him, saying that he had changed their lives and that the accusations were unfounded.

The documentary also explores the larger implications of the case. Many people were surprised to learn that sexual harassment and assault could happen in a seemingly wholesome and spiritual community like Bikram Yoga. The cases led to a larger conversation about power dynamics and abuse in the yoga community, with many people calling for more transparency and accountability.

Overall, Bikram Feels The Heat is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that explores a complex and controversial topic. It raises important questions about power, abuse, and accountability, and it provides a fascinating look at the rise and fall of a yoga empire.