Sunday Times

Yogi denies sex claims, says women ‘love’ him

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YOGA king Bikram Choudhury says allegation­s that he sexually assaulted six of his students are ridiculous — because he could “get” any woman he wanted.

According to the New York Post, the founder of Bikram yoga said he did not need to assault women because they “loved” him.

Choudbury, 69, was speaking out for the first time since being hit with lawsuits that threaten his internatio­nal empire. He is linked to 720 yoga schools in 220 countries. Among his famous devotees are Chelsea Clinton, Madonna and Demi Moore.

Since 2013, six students have accused him of sexual assault, including Sarah Baughn, who said Choudhury told her that her career as a yoga instructor would not advance unless she had sex with him. The case will be heard in August.

Another accuser, Jill Lawyer, filed a lawsuit against Choudbury in February, claiming that he raped her during a class when she was 18.

But Choudhury, who said his wife had not looked at him since the accusation­s, denied assaulting the women.

He said he felt sorry for them because they had been entranced by their lawyers, and he blamed “Western culture” for damaging his reputation.

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