Truth always rests with the minority… because the minority is generally formed by those who really have an opinion, while the strength of a majority is illusory, formed by the gangs who have no opinion.
Soren Kierkegaard
Abhijata Iyengar is teaching an online yoga class this week. Only IYNAUS members are eligble to take the class, so it is incentive for people join IYNAUS. I think they must need members. Unconfirmed reports say the proceeds will go to IYNAUS and the Iyengar Institute of Los Angeles which is struggling. I suppose it’s no coincidence that all the teachers at the Iyengar Institute in LA who studied with Manouso were either let go or not offered any online classes. It appears that this sudden emergence of an online week class by Abhijata might be a scramble to save the Iyengar Institute of Los Angeles and IYNAUS. IYNAUS said the online zoom class was sold out at 1000 and then added more spots. One thousand participants would mean $175,000 which almost covers what IYNAUS spent on the independent investigation of Manouso Manos. It is worth noting that just yesterday final rules were issued on how title IX sexual assault cases are handled– bolstering due process for the accused. Dozens of students accused of sexual assault have won court cases against their colleges because their rights of due process were violated. IYNAUS followed college campus title IX procedures when dealing with the allegation against Manouso. This week’s changes to title IX procedures mandate live hearing by adjudicators who are not the investigator and real time cross examination by the other person’s lawyer or representative. Manouso was afforded none of this, and the investigator was responsible for not only gathering the evidence, but she functioned as the judge, jury, and prosecutor.
Today, I read an Instagram post of a fellow CIYT who has been attending Manouso’s online classes. The CIYT posted a picture of Abhijata Iyengar and lauded her teaching. I messaged the CIYT and our exchange went like this:
Me: Too bad Abhijata and IYNAUS have infringed on your rights of free speech and free association.
CIYT: Yes, that is correct.
CIYT: In this case taking a stance and not studying with her is what Russians call “to piss off the conductor I will walk”. It hurts me way more than it hurts them. I am just as joyful when I study with Manouso, and if I had any other job in my back pocket I may have taken a stronger stance. I can’t afford to, since this is career number two and I am not retraining again.
Me: I totally get it. He even tells people to keep their certificates! I am not going to report you!!! It’s just so fucked up and it’s yoga.
Her: I know. It sucks. I hate it.
Disillusioned With Iyengar Yoga 