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Surviving Satchidananda: The Dark Secrets of an International Yoga Movement

Surviving Satchidananda: The Dark Secrets of an International Yoga Movement

By: Brianna Patten
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About this listen

Surviving Satchidananda is the podcast that exposes the toxic underbelly of Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville, an internationally acclaimed spiritual retreat in Central Virginia. Through raw personal stories and interviews with experts, Brianna Patten, a former Yogaville resident and insider, reveals the hidden truths behind the so-called sanctuary. survivingsatchidananda.com2025 Brianna Patten Social Sciences Spirituality True Crime
Episodes
  • Assaulted by the Guru: Sharada's Story
    Aug 16 2025

    Sharada Thompson shares about the abuse she experienced at the hands of Swami Satchidananda, how the Integral Yoga Community responded, and tools spiritual seekers can use to notice toxic patterns and protect themselves from falling under coercive control.

    https://gurusexabuse.com/womens-testimony/#sharada

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    51 mins
  • Growing Up in Yogaville: Forest’s Story
    Jul 25 2025

    Forest, who grew up in Yogaville, shares about the challenges of being homeschooled in an isolated community. We discuss the disciplinary culture at the ashram, violence among kids who grew up there, and how an ashram upbringing impacts adulthood. survivingsatchidananda.com

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    27 mins
  • Carol Merchasin: “The Cult Assassin” who is taking Yogaville to Court
    May 20 2025

    In this episode, Brianna interviews Carol Merchasin, the notorious attorney who takes on abusive spiritual communities in court. Her firm, Mcallister Olivarius, is currently supporting plaintiffs Shanti Norris and Susan Cohen in their legal battle against Yogaville/Integral Yoga. Merchasin's work is part of a broader effort to hold spiritual organizations accountable for misconduct. She has previously represented individuals in cases involving spiritual communities such as The Shambhala International Lineage of Buddhism and Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers.

    Read the Yogaville court documents yourself here with the index number: 952220-2023

    https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/iscroll/IScroll

    If you would like to share any information about Yogaville with Brianna, email survivingsatchidananda@gmail.com

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    46 mins
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