12/18/2025
Some of you may have seen the interview with Michele Singer Reiner’s Yoga teacher.
As a woman, a mother, and a Yoga teacher, I am both horrified and insulted by this woman.
Speaking publicly about her experience with a minor child is reprehensible.
First, as Yoga teachers, we do not try to get our students to do anything except be present. It is not our job to cure anything. It is certainly not our job to “save” anyone. Ever. And it is absolutely not within our scope to diagnose-neither as fellow humans nor as Yoga teachers.
Life 101: We can seek help, learn tools, and benefit from supportive, gentle encouragement, as well as from talk therapy with a qualified professional. But ultimately, we are the only ones who can do the work to heal, grow, and discern.
I am deeply shocked and appalled to see this woman grandstanding-no matter how soft spoken or seemingly well-intentioned. She may be many things, but an ethical Yogi she is not.
Yes, I’m judging. I’m human.
She needs to work on empathy.
How dare she go on camera and publicly discuss her private work with a little boy-no matter the years that passed.
The violation of this man’s childhood and on his family is next level. They’re at their most vulnerable point in their lives-including preserving their parents, Rob Reiner & his wife Michele’s, privacy.
I don’t even have the bandwidth right now to address the book she wrote based on her experience with him-and using his name.
Alanna Zabel should be ashamed of herself. Truly. But that’s her work to do.
All this said, if you know me, I am very passionate about my work and I have the utmost respect for all students-even the challenging ones.
You may see yourself in our shared dharma or my teachings but you’ll never, ever see your name in print unless it’s with permission and for something simple like a review of my work, or a photo, but not in a case analogy.
One of the dynamics that make my spiritual work that much more potent and beautiful is the candor and trust we build together in our student/teacher container that I hold with the absolute utmost of respect.
My career was once in television as many of you know and while I was never fortunate to have met the Reiner’s, this story hits close to home for many reasons. Professionally, both media and Yoga, and growing up with an incredibly difficult and dangerous sibling.
The ire this entire situation has brought on reminds me of the importance of self-reflection and validates the work I continue to do to care for and preserve my inner peace.
The kind of work that should continue for us all.
