Yoga guru’s company files for bankruptcy

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Bikram Choudhury Yoga Inc., which popularized the concept of ‘hot yoga,’ filed for bankruptcy protection under chapter 11 on November. 9.

In the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct, the company is struggling with mounting liabilities.

Anthony John A. Bryan, CEO of The Watley Group, LLC, a Los Angeles-based restructuring and bankruptcy specialist, has been retained as its chief restructuring officer.

The yoga studio is faced with $16.7 million in legal judgments and numerous lawsuits and allegations of sexual misconduct. The Indian American yoga guru has been accused of sexual assault by some of yoga practitioners, students, instructors and teacher trainees, charges he has denied.

A warrant for Choudhury’s arrest was issued in May.