Are You in a Cult?
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When most people reflect on life’s threats, becoming engulfed in a high-control organization is rarely our first thought. Research suggests that around 1 percent of individuals worldwide become involved in groups of psychological abuse (Castaño et al., 2022), also known as cults. Still, the figure is likely a huge underestimate, due to the secrecy, hazards, and stigma associated with disclosure. Beyond this extreme, a significant number of people become involved in coercive relationships, whether with an institution or an abusive individual.
Survivors of these experiences speak of being unaware of their circumstances, given the emotional manipulation intricate in the process (Garcia et al., 2025). Ashleigh Freckleton is one of those survivors.
Eight years ago, she joined a yoga school hoping to find a greater sense of peace, but she found herself trapped overseas. She did not know she had joined what she now considers a cult until circumstances turned frightening. Today, Ashleigh is sharing her story in the three-part AppleTV documentary series, “Twisted Yoga,” in an endeavor to educate others.
I met with Ashleigh to better understand her experience and build awareness around emotional exploitation and how we can all protect ourselves.
Situational Vulnerability
Ashleigh became involved in the organization when she was in a state of what she calls “situational vulnerability.” She comments, “It was kind of the perfect storm, where I was in a transitional life phase—in my mid-20s, I’d just moved overseas, I’d been through a recent breakup, I was very spiritually open. I’d dabbled or explored a lot of different things, and I was just so curious. I really wanted to just engage in a yoga practice, and so with all of these kinds of factors combined, I was just really open, and that made me vulnerable to the school’s message.”
It is natural to seek connection and meaning. When these needs are disrupted by turmoil, we become more receptive to places offering belonging. Ashleigh reflects, “I was searching for connection, meaning, and self-improvement. It started because I wanted to go to India and practice yoga for a month.”
Isolation, Secrecy, and Infusions of Self-Doubt
Though Ashleigh felt a sense of unease, she initially dismissed her doubts. She says, “I often had doubts, but I saw them as my ego and challenges to overcome, questioning myself more than others. That led to more isolation due to secrecy.”
These are indicators of a high-control environment—isolation, secrecy, infusions of self-doubt, and unquestionable leaders. In the case of a cult, this can rise to a level of emotional torture. “Any kind of boundary you put up was your limitation,” says Ashleigh. “It was seen as a signal that you were not spiritually evolved and needed to grow. So, it really affected my sense of self and my self-esteem. I was constantly feeling like I’m not good enough, I’m not evolved enough.”
Read more https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-mental-health/202604/are-you-in-a-cult
Content retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-mental-health/202604/are-you-in-a-cult.
