Dark Side of the Mat

No doubt there’s a lot of pseudoscience in the yoga world, but it can be challenging for even the most well-intentioned and skeptical among us to understand yoga research and how science and — yes, even math — apply to yoga practice. Thank Isaac Newton's ghost for Jules Mitchell, author of “Yoga Biomechanics” who stopped by the dark side to explain it to us layfolk in the most fun and user-friendly way possible. Jules' website, teacher training, mentorship: https://www.julesmitchell.com/ Jules' book: https://a.co/d/fFfoqjV Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Send us a tip to: darksideofthematpod@gmail.com Buy Justine’s books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724011/the-grieving-therapist-by-larisa-a-garski-lmft/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659309/starship-therapise-by-larisa-garski/ Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Inversions-Guide-Going-Upside/dp/1645471004 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867 Artwork by Ali Ford: https://linktr.ee/wickedencounters

Justine, Kat, producer Kyle, and special guest Nam Chanterrwyn discuss the notion everyone needs yoga to be complete and explore possible dark cultural underpinnings behind that idea (umm... actual nazis just entered the chat?) Nam's website, classes, retreats, & teacher trainings https://www.yoganam.yoga Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Send us a tip to: darksideofthematpod@gmail.com Buy Justine’s books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724011/the-grieving-therapist-by-larisa-a-garski-lmft/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659309/starship-therapise-by-larisa-garski/ Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Inversions-Guide-Going-Upside/dp/1645471004 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867 Artwork by Alexsandra Ford: https://linktr.ee/wickedencounters

Bikram is coming to Canada…or is he? In this very special episode Colin Hall tells Justine and Producer Kyle about his efforts to thwart Bikram’s plans in operation “F that guy.” Tune in and then join in the fight! Here are some steps you can take to help stop Bikram Choudhury. Sign the petition @changedotorg, https://www.change.org/p/stop-predator-bikram-choudhury-from-hosting-yoga-seminar-at-the-parq-marriott-vancouver Write an email to the Mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim, @kensimcity, ken.sim@vancouver.ca Contact CBC News Vancouver, @cbcnews, cbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca, 604-662-6801 Write an email to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, @seanfrasermp, sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca Contact Canada Border Services Agency, @canborder, 1-888-502-9060 Write an email to the event organizers, Canada Yoga Sports Federation, @canada_yoga info@canadayoga.com Share this and other articles, information and resources about Bikram Choudhury. Resources on Bikram Choudhury: Dr. Ramani Durvasula, @doctorramani, Navigating Narcissim Podcast: Bikram Yoga and the Abuse of Power w/ Mandeep Kaur Sandhu. Netflix Documentary, Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator. Daily Hive Articles: @dailyhivevancouver Yoga Journal Articles: @yogajournal Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Send us a tip to: darksideofthematpod@gmail.com Buy Justine’s books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724011/the-grieving-therapist-by-larisa-a-garski-lmft/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659309/starship-therapise-by-larisa-garski/ Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Inversions-Guide-Going-Upside/dp/1645471004/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=kat+heagberg&qid=1675131847&sprefix=kat+heag%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 WHAT IS DARK SIDE OF THE MAT? Always insightful, sometimes sarcastic, never shaming. Hosts Kat and Justine spill the tea on all the creeps, cults, and crime in the yoga world.

Guess who’s back, back again? Dark Side’s back, tell a friend! After a lengthy hiatus, Dark Side of the Mat is back. In this Season 2 intro, producer Kyle asks Justine and Kat for their insights about spiritual abuse, and somehow learns about Justine’s lost dream of owning a pony. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Send us a tip to: darksideofthematpod@gmail.com Buy Justine’s books: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/724011/the-grieving-therapist-by-larisa-a-garski-lmft/ https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659309/starship-therapise-by-larisa-garski/ Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Inversions-Guide-Going-Upside/dp/1645471004/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=kat+heagberg&qid=1675131847&sprefix=kat+heag%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 WHAT IS DARK SIDE OF THE MAT? Always insightful, sometimes sarcastic, never shaming. Hosts Kat and Justine spill the tea on all the creeps, cults, and crime in the yoga world.

In this Season 1 wrap-up (don't worry, we'll be back for season 2!) Justine and Kat answer your questions about yoga creeps, cults, and crimes and more — your queries ranged from serious to silly, and you even got us creating our own cults at the end. You won't want to miss this one, friends. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

In this ep, Kat and Justine are once again joined by OG Bikram TT Jennifer Boeder to have one last cup of Hot (yoga) tea. For now… The Breathe Network (Jennifer’s sister’s foundation): https://www.thebreathenetwork.org/ Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

In this episode, Kat and Justine are joined by Jennifer Boeder, an OG Bikram TT graduate. She spills the tea and it is as hot as a plastic tent. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

Kat and Justine dip a toe into the Bikram Choudry tale and need a shower... Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

Justine, Kat, and Producer Kyle tell the tale of a minorly-culty adventure they went on in Orange County and explore the intersection of vegetarianism, capitalism, and — yes — “Shmandmark Smorum” along the way. Plus a bonus ON AIR Moonjuice tasting. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

This episode is extra special! We invite you to join the Dark Side crew for a live Wondercon panel where Justine and Kat talked with other professionals about why we love to hate and hate to love creeps, cults, and crime! Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

In this episode, Kat and Justine are joined by Nick Dickinson to learn more about the inner workings of the Baptiste system. You asked for more BapTEAste, and we have delivered. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

Lord of the fishes, have mercy! Kat, Justine, and special guest/hilarious Christianity expert Jenni Stukin delve into the world of Christian yoga and “yoga alternatives,” including Holy Yoga, Yaweh Yoga (apologies to our Jewish ancestors), the most popular Christian yoga on YouTube, and yes . . . even Praisemoves. Tune in to hear our thoughts and discoveries, and if we found anything creepy, culty, or crimey along the way. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 Follow Jenni on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @jennistukin And be sure to check out “Hip Hop Pastor”: https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Qkc5zp8yP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Sources: Holy Yoga https://holyyoga.net/ Yaweh Yoga https://yahwehyoga.com/ The Yoga Abbey https://www.theyogaabbey.com/ Caroline William’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0n6WQ3_PAePXz_IZzXZFGA Praisemoves: https://praisemoves.com/

In this episode, Justine tells Kat the tale of Mona, who experienced the dark side of Baptiste yoga and lived to tell the tale. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

Did you know that there was a murder tied to stretchy-pants-giant Lululemon? Well there was and you're gonna hear all about it. In our first full-on true crime episode, special guest Colin Hall regales Kat and Justine with the super-disturbing but fascinating story. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 Follow Colin on Instagram @colinyogin

In this episode, Justine interviews Carrie Hopperstad about her time at the whispers Landmark Forum. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1

The Transcendental Meditation movement (TM) and Maharishi Mahesh Yogi are broad topics that we will cover in detail in future eps. This episode, where Kat interviews long-time friend Hannelore Burghart, focuses primarily on Hannelore’s experience at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 Book we mentioned in this episode, Greetings from Utopia Park: https://www.amazon.com/Greetings-Utopia-Park-Surviving-Transcendent/dp/0062338854 “A Little Bit Culty” episode on TM: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/master-of-the-cultiverse-patrick-ryan-on/id1553334816?i=1000546189052

In this end-of-the-year extravaganza, Kat, Justine, and producer Kyle answer your questions, offer some corrections, and give you a few updates on our 2021 investigations. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 Leaving Eden podcast episode that talks about the BITE model: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-57-primer-for-new-listeners-and-review-for-long/id1525971285?i=1000539463783 2014 Racked article about Lululemon: https://www.racked.com/2014/1/9/7625823/landmark-lululemon-feature

Kat Interviews former Baptiste yoga teacher Rachel Nelson and learns yet more unsettling aspects about the yoga world. Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darksideofthemat Follow us on social media: @darksideofthematpod on Instagram @matdarkside on Twitter and http://facebook.com/darksideofthematpod Buy Justine’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Starship-Therapise-Therapeutic-Fanfiction-Rewrite Buy Kat’s books: https://www.amazon.com/Embodied-Resilience-through-Yoga-Empowerment/dp/0738762490/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BQWMQTQTIDUF&keywords=embodied+resilience+through+yoga&qid=1639698620&sprefix=embodied+res%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Where-You-Are-Customize/dp/1611807867/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=yoga+where+you+are&qid=1639698472&sr=8-1 Support Rache’s work: https://linktr.ee/rachelnelson_ Instagram account referenced in this episode: @bpyi_yoga_truth Rachel’s new podcast “Journey into Yoga Cults: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/journey-into-yoga-cults/id1599860304?fbclid=IwAR16lPO6U6jWAa8yLrbIZLMsEXMArRrtFWLIUI4PaQROd_-L6zHYBpNgYWk Love & Light Confessional’s recent episode “Culty Hot Yoga: Bikram, Forrest, Baptiste: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culty-hot-yoga-bikram-forrest-baptiste/id1515454301?i=1000544359063 IndoctriNation podcast with Rachel Bernstein: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indoctrination/id1373939526

Kat tells Justine about Orgasmic Meditation or “OMing”—where capitalism meets climax (well, sort of). Sources BBC Podcast “The Orgasm Cult:” https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08xzk5h/episodes/downloads Bloomberg BusinessWeek article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-06-18/the-dark-side-of-onetaste-the-orgasmic-meditation-company Nicole’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoledaedone/ Nicole’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicoledaedone Daily Beast article: https://www.thedailybeast.com/fbi-investigates-orgasmic-meditation-company-onetaste-report 2009 New York Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/fashion/15commune.html 2013 Gawker article: https://www.gawker.com/my-life-with-the-thrill-clit-cult-1445204953 Trust Me Podcast episode (early history of OneTaste): https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/trust-me-1529530/episodes/19-elana-auerbach-onetaste-aka-88924793 On Belief podcast episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-204-onetaste-with-ellen-huet-and-ruwan-meepagala/id1460412772?i=1000452756887 Cult Podcast episode (part I of II): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-160-onetaste-breadbowls-from-artbys/id1276011417?i=1000496075391 Institute of OM: https://instituteofom.com/ Yelp reviews: https://www.yelp.com/biz/onetaste-san-francisco-2

If you watched Wild Wild Country, you might think you know all there is to know about the man known as Osho. But Oh sh*t you don’t even know the half of it! Sources Gordon, J. S. (1988). The Golden Guru: The strange journey of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. S. Greene Press. McCormack, W. (1987/2010). The Rajneesh Chronicles. Tin House Books. Cults Podcast: "Rajneeshpuram" - Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh The Guardian: Growing up in the Wild Wild Country Cult Bansal, A., Mittal, A., & Seth, V. (2016). Osho Dynamic Meditation's Effect on Serum Cortisol Level. Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 10(11), CC05–CC08. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2016/23492.8827