Swami Shankarananda. Photo: Gary Sissons/Mornington Peninsula News Group

An ashram that teaches meditation and yoga is being investigated over allegations of sexual abuse.

Police confirmed they are investigating the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga at Mount Eliza, with a number of victims alleging in recent days that they had been sexually abused.

Detectives from the Mornington Peninsula's sexual offences and child abuse investigation team have interviewed several people about their experiences at the ashram.

One of the women, who preferred not to be named, told Fairfax Media thatshe had been pressured into a sexual relationship after being promised her healing and enlightenment in return:"I think it was definitely a complete abuse of power," she said.

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While she allowed the man to grope and kiss her, she said it was not consensual, because followers believed that "the highest value ... is to surrender to the guru because that's the path to god".

A sign at the ashram read: "Surrender is doing it when you don't want to," she said.

"I had this idea he had divine love for me but now I'm struggling to realise that it was an illusion, that he didn't have my best interests at heart. It was what he wanted to get from me."

Another former member said: "It's a huge betrayal of trust. You go there to learn to meditate but it seems there is another personal program [there] to groom women for sex."

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Police investigate sex abuse claims at Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga