John Friend steps down as CEO of Anusara, Inc.

We received these two letters last night back to back. The first describes plans for reorganizing Anusara as a “teacher run non-profit organization (501C3)” with John stepping down as CEO and introducing Michal Lichtman in his place.

The second letter comes as an introduction from Michal as the new CEO of Anusara, Inc.

Video of John Friend and Michal Lichtman at the bottom of the post.

Anusara Yoga Reorganization

Dear Anusara Yoga Kula,

As a follow-up to my stepping down on Monday from the leadership position, I am writing you to share the new organizational structure for Anusara yoga.

Three weeks ago private information about me was posted on an illicit website in order to harm me, Anusara yoga, and all those named on the site. Although there has been no investigation or verification of the claims, a wide range of intense reactions and judgments has divided our community.

During this month, many of our licensed teachers resigned (8% in total), including some of our leading teachers. I am very sorry and sad for the hurt that everyone has experienced during this scandal, and over time, I fully believe that truth, clarity, and great soul lessons will be revealed for all of us.

One of the perplexing falsehoods that has been propagated through the Internet, not just within the past few weeks, but within the past few years, has been the perception of Anusara, Inc. as a big corporation – when in fact, Anusara, Inc. has largely been supported by my personal teaching and speaking engagements. So, in order for me to step down as CEO of Anusara, Inc., there are significant organizational changes that now need to take place to keep Anusara yoga alive.

The first change is that I have joined in a business partnership with Michal Lichtman, who will now serve as CEO of Anusara, Inc. Michal is a successful business woman and a certified Anusara yoga teacher, and I am very confident that she will skillfully direct Anusara for the greater benefit of all. I am remaining as founder, student, and teacher of Anusara yoga. I am embracing this profound change in my life with bright openness to the next chapter for both Anusara yoga and me personally.

With significant counsel from teachers in the Kula, we will be transforming Anusara yoga into a teacher run non-profit organization (501C3), Anusara Yoga School, dedicated to serving the Anusara kula. Anusara Yoga School will direct certifications and curriculum and will serve as a central hub of information on Anusara yoga and its licensed teachers.

Anusara Yoga School Board of Directors, of which I will not be a member, will be elected by the entire community of all licensed teachers. There will be forums and open communication channels between the kula, all teachers, and the Board of Directors. An Advisory Board of teachers, including Desiree Rumbaugh, Sianna Sherman, Scott Lewicki, Sumei Shum, and Barbara Noh will also be formed to help guide the Board. This Advisory Board will expand greatly in the coming weeks.

Details of the next steps for the establishment of Anusara Yoga School and the election of its Board of Directors will be communicated to everyone next week by a Steering Committee composed of Ross Rayburn, Todd Norian, Ellen Saltonstall, Deb Neubauer, and Jimmy Bernaert.

My hope is that this reorganization of Anusara yoga will give the teachers the opportunity to elevate Anusara yoga as an outstanding hatha yoga style independent of me. We will all endeavor to focus on the exceptional methodology of Anusara yoga, and I will look forward to joining you as a fellow student and teacher on the path.

With this new restructuring I am effectively putting Anusara yoga in the hands of the community and then trusting that it will grow beautifully in service to the world for many years to come.

At this time, I will be postponing teaching events until at least June in order to take time for a sabbatical of healing and insight.

I would like to personally thank every one of you who have stepped forward to support Anusara and myself during this tumultuous time.

As the old saying goes, “If you found anything of value and goodness within my offerings, then it was from the greatness of my teachers. If you found flaws, foibles, or imperfections in me or my teachings, then those are all mine.”

May this new era of Anusara yoga continue to expand Light throughout the world.

With love to all,

John

 (actual letter below)

Letter from Michal Lichtman: New CEO, Anusara Inc.

Dear Anusara Yoga Kula,

My name is Michal Lichtman, and I am writing you today, my dear Kula, to introduce myself as the new CEO of Anusara, Inc. Furthermore, I wish to pledge to you my support for the healing and future growth of our community. Anusara yoga is dear to my heart, as I know it is to yours. As a kula we have all experienced personal transformation and growth as a result of this outstanding hatha yoga school.

Eight years ago, Anusara yoga came to me as a life-saving gift during a very emotionally and physically difficult time in my life. As a brain surgery survivor of a benign tumor, I had significant deficits in my physical ability until I applied the principles of Anusara yoga to my practice and my life. Through Anusara yoga I uncovered a new freedom in my body-mind-heart connection, and I witnessed myself literally transform, unravel, heal, and regain equanimity. I realized that this practice was a true gift that I could share.

Like all of you, it is my desire to positively contribute to this life and its people. I know that for us as a community to bring peace and deep awakening to the world, we must first focus on bringing these values and virtues to our own community. As John has stepped down from his leadership position of Anusara yoga on Monday and is now on sabbatical, I offered to help bring harmony to the community through clear leadership and business acumen. I have run successful businesses in the US and Israel, including sitting on the Board of Directors of several non-profit organizations. Most importantly, I have a great husband, 6 wonderful children, and 2 giant dogs! Their support and love fuels my dreams and visions for a healthier world.

Within the last year, John and I began discussing taking Anusara yoga to a new level of excellence. During these last 3 weeks I have now become an integral partner in Anusara. I fully support a new, exciting reorganization of Anusara yoga to give voice to our teachers for our future direction. I have always felt lucky to be part of this global family, and now I feel even more fortunate to support it on a deeper level of involvement.

As the new CEO of Anusara, Inc, I am taking on all the day-to-day managerial operations, so to free John’s time in order to allow him to return to being the teacher, visionary, and inventor that we all love to be with.

We have appointed an interim Steering Committee that will help to set up the Anusara Yoga School and its Board of Directors.

Over the years I have been blessed to work closely with Desiree, Ross, Todd, Sianna, and BJ, all of which will be either on the Steering Committee or the Advisory Board of the teacher run, non-profit organization – the Anusara Yoga School.

I commit to standing with you, with truth and integrity, to serve and grow Anusara yoga – the practice which has saved my life, and has transformed so many of your lives as well.

May this new era of Anusara yoga continue to expand Light throughout the world.

Looking forward to connecting with each of you.

Love and a big hug,

Michal

CEO, Anusara, Inc.

 (actual letter below)

The following video is John introducing Michal at the kickoff of his World Tour last month in Encinitas. Courtesy of Shalom Yoga.

For a more complete overview on what’s been happening, please visit: Anusara Controversy: Overview and Timeline