The prevalence of high-control organizations, colloquially known as cults, remains one of the most misunderstood and underestimated social phenomena in contemporary society. While general public perception often relegated such groups to the fringes of the mid-20th century, modern research indicates a persistent and pervasive threat. According to a 2022 study by Castaño et al., approximately one percent of the global population is involved in groups characterized by psychological abuse and coercive control. However, experts and survivors alike suggest this figure is a conservative estimate, masked by the inherent secrecy of these organizations, the hazards of leaving, and the profound social stigma that prevents survivors from disclosing their experiences.
The complexities of this issue have recently been brought to the forefront by Ashleigh Freckleton, a survivor who has transitioned from a victim of spiritual exploitation to a vocal advocate for psychological awareness. Her story, which serves as the centerpiece of the three-part AppleTV documentary series "Twisted Yoga," highlights the subtle, often invisible mechanisms of emotional manipulation. Freckleton’s journey from a young woman seeking peace to a captive of a high-control yoga school underscores a critical reality: anyone, regardless of intelligence or background, can be susceptible to coercive control under specific situational circumstances.
The Anatomy of Situational Vulnerability
The path into a high-control group rarely begins with an overt display of extremism. Instead, it typically starts with a period of "situational vulnerability." For Ashleigh Freckleton, this occurred eight years ago during a significant life transition. At the time, she was in her mid-20s, had recently moved overseas, and was processing the end of a long-term relationship. This state of flux created a "perfect storm" of spiritual openness and a desire for grounding.
Psychologists note that during such transitions, the human need for connection, meaning, and self-improvement is heightened. When traditional support systems—family, stable career paths, or long-term social circles—are disrupted, individuals become more receptive to organizations that offer a ready-made community and a definitive sense of purpose. Freckleton’s initial goal was simple and positive: she wanted to travel to India to deepen her yoga practice. She was not looking for a cult; she was looking for a month of self-discovery. This search for meaning is a universal human trait, but in the hands of a high-control organization, it becomes a lever for exploitation.
The Chronology of Entrapment
The transition from a student of yoga to a member of a high-control group is often a gradual process of "boiling the frog." In Freckleton’s case, the environment initially felt supportive and enlightening. However, the school utilized sophisticated psychological mechanisms to erode her autonomy.
A primary tool in this process is the "infusion of self-doubt." When Freckleton experienced unease or questioned the school’s practices, the leadership reframed her doubts as "ego." In many spiritual cults, critical thinking is labeled as a spiritual limitation or a lack of evolution. By convincing members that their internal warning signals are actually flaws they must overcome, the organization effectively dismantles the individual’s primary defense mechanism.
This led to a cycle of isolation and secrecy. As Freckleton’s sense of self-esteem diminished, she became more dependent on the group for validation. The organization enforced rigid boundaries, where any attempt to assert personal agency was seen as a sign of being "un-evolved." Over time, the degradation of her beliefs and her sense of reality escalated. By the time she returned to Australia, Freckleton described a sensation of "reality melting," a psychological state where her mind felt bifurcated between her lucid self and a "brainwashed" persona created by the group’s intense indoctrination.
The Global Scope of Psychological Abuse
The experience of Ashleigh Freckleton is not an isolated incident but part of a broader "emotional landscape of cult involvement," a subject explored in a 2025 study by Garcia, Dugger, and Greene. This research suggests that the recruitment, involvement, and eventual disaffiliation from such groups follow a predictable, albeit devastating, trajectory.
High-control environments are not limited to religious or spiritual sects. In the modern era, these dynamics are increasingly observed in:
- The Wellness and Fitness Industry: Where "gurus" demand total devotion and financial commitment in exchange for health secrets.
- Political and Social Movements: Where "us vs. them" mentalities are used to isolate members from dissenting viewpoints.
- Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) Schemes: Which often employ "love bombing" and financial coercion similar to traditional cults.
- Coercive Personal Relationships: Where one individual uses isolation and gaslighting to control another.
The common thread in all these scenarios is the use of psychological mechanisms to bypass an individual’s critical faculties. The 1% statistic mentioned in the Castaño et al. (2022) study highlights the scale of the issue, but the broader impact on families and communities suggests that the ripple effects of such abuse touch a significantly larger portion of the population.
The Process of Recovery and Resilience
Escaping a high-control group is only the first step in a long and arduous process of "climbing out of the well." For Freckleton, recovery required a combination of physical distance, familial support, and professional therapy. A key component of her healing was the intellectual deconstruction of what had happened to her.
By studying psychology, Freckleton was able to name the mechanisms used against her: coercive control, logical fallacies, and cognitive biases. Understanding that her experience was the result of systematic psychological manipulation—rather than a personal failure or spiritual inadequacy—allowed her to begin re-establishing her grounding.
The metaphor Freckleton uses—of being at the bottom of a well but always having a rope attached—speaks to the inherent resilience of the human spirit. Recovery involves "re-parenting" oneself and slowly re-engaging with the world through hobbies, passions, and support networks. Today, having completed her degree, Freckleton works as a provisional psychologist, using her lived experience and academic training to assist others in their healing journeys.
Identifying Red Flags: Three Diagnostic Questions
To assist the public in recognizing the signs of coercive control, experts emphasize the importance of self-reflection. Based on Freckleton’s insights and psychological best practices, there are three critical questions individuals should ask themselves if they suspect a group or relationship is becoming overly controlling:
- Is Doubt Discouraged? In healthy environments, questions and skepticism are welcomed as signs of engagement. In high-control groups, doubt is treated as a moral or spiritual failing that must be suppressed.
- Is There a Requirement for Secrecy? Organizations that demand members keep practices or teachings secret from family and friends are often attempting to prevent outside perspectives from breaking the group’s influence.
- Is Your Sense of Self-Worth Dependent on the Group? If an individual feels "not good enough" or "un-evolved" whenever they disagree with a leader, it is a sign that their self-esteem is being systematically undermined to ensure compliance.
Analysis of Implications
The release of "Twisted Yoga" and the public advocacy of survivors like Ashleigh Freckleton represent a shift in how society views coercive control. Historically, cult victims were often dismissed as "weak-minded." However, the modern psychological consensus is that recruitment is a matter of timing and technique, not intelligence.
The implications for public policy and mental health are significant. There is a growing call for better regulation of the "wellness" industry, where practitioners often operate without oversight or ethical guidelines. Furthermore, the legal definition of "coercive control"—which has already been updated in several jurisdictions to address domestic abuse—may eventually need to be expanded to include institutional and organizational psychological abuse.
As digital platforms make it easier for high-control groups to recruit across borders, the need for "psychological literacy" has never been greater. Education on logical fallacies and emotional manipulation should be viewed as a public health necessity. By sharing her story, Freckleton is not just recounting a personal trauma; she is providing a blueprint for recognition and resistance.
Conclusion
The story of Ashleigh Freckleton serves as both a warning and a testament to human resilience. High-control organizations thrive in the shadows of transition and vulnerability, using the very human desires for peace and connection as tools of entrapment. However, as Freckleton’s journey proves, the light of psychological understanding and the support of a dedicated community can dismantle even the most sophisticated systems of coercion. As "Twisted Yoga" reaches a global audience, it contributes to a vital conversation about boundaries, autonomy, and the protection of the human mind in an increasingly complex social landscape.
