The Body as a Site of Exploitation and Healing: The Case of Yoga to the People
Publication information:
Padova, Bianca. 2023. “The Body As a Site of Exploitation and Healing: The Case of Yoga to the People.” in Uses and Abuses of Power in Alternative Spiritualities. Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Abstract
Abstract: Yoga to the People (YTTP) was a donation-based yoga studio that shut down in 2020 following multiple accusations of tax fraud, sexual assault, and other crimes that were recorded by an Instagram account, @yttpshadowwork. The case was documented by The New York Times and Vice News, but the depth and complexity of abuse—financial, emotional, and sexual—has yet to be grappled with on philosophical and sociocultural levels. Despite the abuse that occurred, many people still benefited from this spiritual community and the yoga practice itself. So, then, how is it possible to recognize the harm caused by YTTP while still valuing the benefits reaped?
Presenter bio: Bianca Padova is a Master of Divinity (MDiv ’24) candidate at Harvard Divinity School who focuses on the history and ethics of modern postural yoga. She first began teaching yoga in 2015 after completing her training at Yoga to the People in New York City. Since then, Bianca has continued to study and practice yoga, and has now completed 800-hours of training in modern postural yoga.
Presenter affiliation: Harvard Divinity School
Presenter bio: Bianca Padova is a Master of Divinity (MDiv ’24) candidate at Harvard Divinity School who focuses on the history and ethics of modern postural yoga. She first began teaching yoga in 2015 after completing her training at Yoga to the People in New York City. Since then, Bianca has continued to study and practice yoga, and has now completed 800-hours of training in modern postural yoga.
Presenter affiliation: Harvard Divinity School