Oh crumbs! The stud muffin's in a jam

It had to happen sooner or later: yogic master and Asian-American stud muffin Rodney Yee is embroiled in a sex scandal. The millionaire star of 17 yoga videos who arrives in Hong Kong tomorrow for a weekend of lessons has been accused of having sexual relations with one of his students, according to a lawsuit filed in California's Alameda County Superior Court.

Although sex between consenting adults is not yet a crime, the Californian Yoga Teachers Association has clear guidelines stating: 'Sexual involvement with students is absolutely prohibited.'

Just how many of his students are happy with such guidelines is open to debate. In the mostly female world of yoga, pigtailed Yee, 45, with his good looks, supple body and charismatic aura is the undisputed pin-up boy. 'I've introduced Rodney to many of my friends,' said fashion designer Donna Karan in a recent People magazine article. 'Everyone falls in love with him. It's this big crush.'

Yee has also taught actors Demi Moore and Mariel Hemingway. Even daytime television queen Oprah Winfrey claims she 'blisses out' on his tapes. And needless to say, his Hong Kong classes sold out long ago.

The allegations concerning Yee are part of a lawsuit filed by Susannah Bruder, a former instructor at Yee's Piedmont Studio in Oakland. Bruder is suing for breach of contract, claiming she was stopped from using the studio after she raised the issue of Yee's sexual affairs with the yoga guru and his wife, Donna Fone. Yee has not commented on the case and his solicitor, Sanford Margolin, said whether or not Yee has had sexual relations with his students is irrelevant to Bruder's breach of contract claim.

While the lawsuit does not name the student, the publicity about the affair has led at least two of Yee's female students to go public with their own unsubstantiated allegations.