Prepare to explore the world of wellness with Breath of Fire. HBO Max's upcoming four-part docu-series takes viewers behind the scenes of the multi-million-dollar Kundalini yoga industry and the sensational rise and fall of Guru Jagat.
Recently, the docuseries released its captivating trailer, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the life of Jagat, the controversial figure who transformed from a promising instructor to a figure of intrigue and scandal.
Breath of Fire explores the intricacies of modern spirituality, examining the cultural roots and contemporary practices of Kundalini yoga. With interviews from former students, family, and followers, this docuseries promises to reveal the complex narratives surrounding Jagat's life, her celebrated wellness empire, and the shadows cast by those who have occupied the sacred space of spiritual leadership.
Do you want to know about the in-depth insights into Jagat's legacy, the series' fascinating cast, and the buzz it has generated? There’s much more to uncover that will leave you questioning the very essence of spiritual practice and celebrity worship.
Stay tuned for updates as we peel back the layers of this intriguing story. You won’t want to miss what unfolds in the captivating world of Breath of Fire!
Release date & Where to Watch
The four-part documentary series is set to premiere on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024at 9 pm ET on HBOwith streaming available on Max. New episodes will be released weekly on subsequent Wednesdays, concluding on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. The series had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 12, 2024.
Plot
In 2013, Katie Griggs, a millennial YouTube astrologer, gained prominence as the face of Kundalini yoga after opening the RA MA Institute in Los Angeles and reinventing herself as Guru Jagat. Breath of Fire explores her evolution and unveils the hidden history of Kundalini yoga, tracing its roots from the 1960s to its current presence in wellness circles across the United States.
Based on Hayley Phelan's Vanity Fair article, The Second Coming of Guru Jagat, the series delves into the culture of modern spirituality, addressing complex issues such as cultural appropriation and the pitfalls of self-proclaimed gurus. Claiming to be the anointed successor of the late Yogi Bhajan, who popularized a version of Kundalini in America in 1969, Guru Jagat utilized social media and her captivating online persona to build a multi-million-dollar spiritual empire.
As she positioned herself as the embodiment of divine femininity, Guru Jagat attracted a diverse following, including celebrities and dedicated, fee-paying devotees, with promises of prosperity and spiritual fulfillment.
In the 1970s, Yogi Bhajan's teachings were revered for their messages of enlightenment and equality, providing solace amid social upheaval. However, investigations later revealed a culture of abuse and misogyny within the organization, prompting many to question Bhajan’s legacy. Despite these findings, Guru Jagat and parts of the Kundalini community continued to defend him publicly.
The series intertwines narratives from family, students, former employees, and followers, shedding light on the lives of Yogi Bhajan and Guru Jagat. Featuring extensive footage of Yogi Bhajan, clips of Guru Jagat’s teachings at the RA MA Institute, and candid audio interviews with Griggs, the film exposes the darker sides of influential figures in the wellness industry driven by power and profit.
Cast
- Former employees at RA MA Institute Nicole Norton, Charlotte Medlock, & Elizabeth Grignon
- Religious scholar and yoga historian, Philip Deslippe
- Sikh activist and journalist, Sundeep Morrison
- Vanity Fair writer Hayley Phelan
- Journalist Stacie Stuck
- Author of “Cultish,” Amanda Montell
- Katie Griggs’ childhood friend, Laura Burhenn
- Griggs’ mother Nansy Steinhorn-Galloway and stepfather Rabbit Galloway
- Former followers of Yogi Bhajan and Kundalini include Peter Blachly, Leah Lamb, Mahankirn Khalsa, Mahani Khalsa, bodyguard Siri Khalsa, and Jules Hartley
Official Trailer
Episodes
- Season 1 Episode 1 (Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024)
- Season 1 Episode 2 (Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024)
- Season 1 Episode 3 (Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024)
- Season 1 Episode 4 (Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024)
Behind the Scenes
The HBO Original documentary series Breath of Fire is directed by Hayley Pappas and Smiley Stevens. Executive producers include Matt Ippolito, Hayley Pappas, Smiley Stevens, Agnes Chu, Helen Estabrook, Sarah Amos, Lexy Altman, Sonia Slutsky, Jennifer O’Connell, and Lizzie Fox, with Hayley Phelan serving as co-executive producer.
Produced by SecondNature, which has credits for films such as Flee, AKA Jane Roe, and Hunger Ward, the series showcases the collaboration between Pappas, Stevens, and Ippolito, who are co-founders of SecondNature. Vanity Fair Studios, led by Condé Nast Entertainment president Agnes Chu, also plays a role in the production, working alongside notable publishing brands like The New Yorker, Wired, Vogue, GQ, and Architectural Digest.
Written by ODD Balls
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