Hip-Hop Mogul Russell Simmons Banned from NYC Yoga Studio Amid Sexual Assault Accusations

Russell Simmons has been banned from a New York City Yoga Studio following rape accusations against him, but he says it was them who invited him to the studio.

Russell Simmons is trying to live life normally once again following the 12 accusations of rape and sexual misconduct against him.

After frequenting Modo Yoga NYC in the past couple of weeks, the studio e-mailed Russell telling him not to return to its West Village fitness studio.

Being Banned from the Yoga Studio

Simmons, who moved to Bali in February 2018, says that he attended classes in the studio while he was in Manhattan for a couple of weeks.

"The management invited me, and then said that my presence had 'triggered some members.' I'm deeply disappointed and hurt by it. Guilty by accusation, I don't believe is a good way to go forward."

The fashion mogul believes he should not be kicked out for something unproven and is hurt that it had to happen.

Modo Yoga's Defense

The owners of Modo Yoga responded to his statement by saying their students filed complaints about feeling uncomfortable because of Simmons' conduct outside the studio.

“We do not pass judgment, gossip or comment on any of our students . . . However, when we receive complaints from students who are uncomfortable because of another student’s alleged conduct outside of Modo, we are put in a difficult position.”

The Allegations Against Him

When news of his alleged misconduct first came to light, Russell was quick to shut them all down. The first to accuse him of such was model Keri Claussen Khalighi, followed by Jenny Lumet, granddaughter of Lena Horne.

Since then, Simmons issued a public apology and stepped down from his businesses to reflect.

"I have never committed any acts of aggression or violence in my life. I would never knowingly cause fear or harm to anyone. I will step aside and commit myself to continuing my personal growth, spiritual learning and above all to listening."

The situation ultimately led to him moving all the way to Bali, but unfortunately for Simmons, the accusations did not stop there.

A woman named Alexia Norton Jones, someone he had dated for a while, also accused him saying that he raped her after their date in 1990, which he has also denied.

Blending Back In in New York

His recent trip to New York is his latest effort to try and blend back into the public eye. He was seen partying in Southampton, hitting the nightclub Up and Down, and dining at Blue Fin in Times Square.

Aside from the snub at Modo, he was well-received. As for his next few steps following his ongoing lawsuits, he hopes to build an international school of yogic science and re-enter the fashion world.