New Zealand Yoga Teacher Targeted by Bullies

Affectionately known as Padma to her friends and students, the 35-year-old has been teaching yoga for more than 10 years. Originally from the Kanpur Village of Balasore district of Odisha in the Eastern part of India she has been living in New Zealand since 2016 and has taught yoga in Wellington and Canterbury.

Now that she has made Rangiora home she is excited to be able to offer classes to the people of North Canterbury at her very own studio on Victoria Street, Rangiora.

As her following began to grow on TikTok because of her pure joy, authenticity and passion for what she does, the bullies and trolls began to grow as well. But this extends beyond ugly comments on her posts. After learning that Padma is a Hindu & vegetarian, she began receiving unpaid meat and meat pizza sent to her studio. And she receives inflammatory and clearly racist messages and phone calls all night and day in an attempt to both destroy her livelihood and spirit. She is no longer able to cover the lease of her current space or help with her fathers medical bills. And while her ability to cover basic expenses and run her business has become impossible, her beautiful spirit shines through even her tears and with your help, we can help her regain control of her life and livehood.