Yoga instructor convicted of misdemeanor charges in California

A yoga instructor with studios in California and Bigfork was convicted last week on four counts of sexual battery, Pasadena, Calif., city attorney Michele Beal Bagneris said.

A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury in Pasadena on Nov. 13 found Naader Shagagi, 56, a yoga instructor and owner of Yoga Kingdom Sanctuary, guilty of four misdemeanor counts of sexual battery by fraudulent representation. Shagagi was convicted of committing the sexual crimes at his yoga studio in Pasadena. According to his web site, yogakingdom.com, he also has a studio in Bigfork. Sentencing is set for Dec. 5 in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Pasadena. The defendant’s conviction requires a lifetime registration as a sex offender.

“We are grateful that the jury has sent a strong message that sex crimes will not be tolerated,” Bagneris said. “If other victims step forward, our office will pursue these matters and seek justice for the victims.”

The case was based on complaints from three young female yoga students in California who were assaulted by Shagagi during what Bagneris called private healing sessions. Evidence provided by Deputy City Prosecutor Joon Kim showed the victims were told that his intimate touching would help heal the victims.

Other fraudulent representations that the defendant made included that he was a healer who had cured others of breast cancer and that he was a “messenger of gods” who could communicate with gods.  

The victims allegedly participated in healing sessions with Shagagi during which he groped and touched them, Bagneris said.  

In August 2008, Shagagi applied for a conditional use permit with Flathead County for a Christian mysticism center at 199 Drew Lane. The Bigfork Land Use Advisory Committee recommended approval 4-3, but the permit was neither considered nor approved by the county Board of Adjustment. According to his website, his “Montana sanctuary” in Bigfork includes a large yoga studio.