Founder Conviction and Legal Troubles
Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram yoga, was convicted of sexual assault and harassment in 2024, with a jury awarding $7.1 million in damages to the first plaintiff in a civil case. The conviction followed multiple criminal charges and a 2024 jury verdict that found him liable for sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. His legal troubles led to the collapse of his business empire, which once included a global chain of hot yoga studios and licensing deals, as reported by Forbes regarding the civil verdict and the collapse of his brand. The case drew widespread attention to abuse of power in wellness industries and prompted yoga practitioners to reassess the culture surrounding Bikram yoga studios.
Business Decline and Studio Closures
The Bikram yoga chain experienced a sharp decline in the late 2010s and early 2020s, with hundreds of studios closing worldwide after the founder's legal issues became public. The business model, which relied on franchising and licensing the 26-posture sequence, collapsed as courts invalidated his copyright claims over the yoga sequence, a ruling detailed by the U.S. Copyright Office and covered by legal analysts. The decline accelerated as former franchisees rebranded their studios, and new competitors like hot yoga chains without the Bikram name captured market share, according to data on yoga industry trends. As a result, the Bikram brand lost its dominance, and many studios now operate independently or under new names, reflecting a broader shift in the fitness and wellness market.
Current State and Industry Shifts
Today, Bikram yoga exists as a niche practice with a small number of independent studios still using the name, but the brand no longer holds the cultural or commercial influence it once did. The yoga industry has moved toward more inclusive, studio-agnostic formats, with hot yoga classes offered by large chains like CorePower Yoga and independent instructors who avoid the Bikram branding. The legal precedent set by the copyright ruling on the 26-posture sequence has opened the door for other teachers to offer similar hot yoga classes without licensing fees, as explained by legal experts on the U.S. Copyright Office website. This shift has diversified the market, reducing the visibility of Bikram yoga while increasing competition and innovation in the broader yoga and wellness sector.