‘Sex cult’ tantric yoga retreat in Thailand reopens after rape scandal

Teacher accused of misconduct has returned and report into school has not been published.

Reading Time:4 minutes

A class at the Agama campus. Photo: Facebook

Published: 12:44pm, 27 Jan 2019Updated: 11:17pm, 27 Jan 2019

The world’s biggest tantric yoga school, which closed after multiple women alleged rape and sexual assault, has reopened with the accused leader back in charge and amid accusations that management suppressed an investigation into the abuse.

Agama Yoga, which is located on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, shut down for “restructuring” in September after The Guardian published allegations by 14 women accusing the school of facilitating rape, sexual assault and misogynist teachings at the hands of its leader, Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, a Romanian whose real name is Narcis Tarcau, for 15 years.

Sixteen former pupils and staff told The Guardian they thought a “sex cult” was operating inside Agama, and two formal accusations of rape against Tarcau were filed, though the three-month statute of limitations on rape cases in Thailand meant they could not be investigated by Koh Phangan police.

Tarcau was also accused of using his influence to promote “dangerous” health theories, which allegedly contributed to at least two women not seeking treatment for cancer with “devastating consequences”.

The school remains stripped of its Yoga Alliance certification.

Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, whose real name is Narcis Tarcau, is back in charge at the school amid accusations that management suppressed an investigation into the abuse.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x