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Season 1 – Breath of Fire

Play trailer 2:03 Poster for Season 1 – Breath of Fire Oct 2024 Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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YouTube astrologer Katie Griggs rose to fame as the face of Kundalini yoga and reinvented herself as Guru Jagat, attracting followers. Among them were celebrities and fee-paying devotees who were lured with promises of prosperity, physical health and spiritual fulfillment. "Breath of Fire" is a series offering a multi-decade examination of the corruption within Kundalini yoga and a portrait of a master manipulator, spotlighting the uneasy nexus of the American dream, self-invention and fanatical ideology.
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Breath of Fire — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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John Anderson Wall Street Journal 10/30/2024
Breath of Fire comes in four episodes that skip along briskly, a viewer being just as beguiled, or bewildered, by the rise and fall of Guru Jagat as they are by the gullibility of her followers. Go to Full Review
Alison Lanier Pajiba 11/18/2024
Very good true crime tells its story, while making sure you’re aware of the very messy nature of bringing lived experience down to a simple, tellable, linear thread. Breath of Fire is very good true crime. Go to Full Review
Joel Keller Decider 10/28/2024
Breath Of Fire takes its entire first episode to set up the controversies surrounding the Kundalini Yoga movement and its two best-known leaders, but even after slogging through that first episode, we still want to learn more. Go to Full Review
Amyana Bartley QBP Reviews 10/23/2024
It’s time to rethink buying Yogi Tea! Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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John D @RT99861730 11/26/2024 I found this to be really boring and hard to understand why this would be made. I love it when bad people are exposed and the rapist in charge is a total disgrace but found there to be no meat on the bone here!! Was excited to watch it then was left utterly disappointed!!! See more Carlos D @RT77453631 11/16/2024 The documentary is well-produced and easy to follow, alternating between the lives of Katie and Yogi Bhajan. It features numerous insightful interviews and testimonials that illuminate the behind-the-scenes dynamics of kundalini yoga during their respective eras, along with their respective entourages and followers. However, my main criticism is that it lacks an opposing perspective, particularly regarding kundalini yoga rooted in traditional Indian practices. As a former student of Yogi Bhajan's teachings, I found it shocking—though not entirely surprising—that the community operated like a cult. Even more surprising was the extent of the harm it caused to many individuals, which was truly difficult to digest. See more Scott P @11SP108 11/16/2024 One-sided and manipulative. No equal time is given to the countless people who have benefitted from Kundalini Yoga. Obviously I'm not advocating for abuse, but let us hear more than one perspective (which is what a true documentary is supposed to do). It's funny to watch filmmakers condemn the dangers of mind-control while they simultaneously influence viewers into drawing only the conclusions they want you to draw. Hmmm... isn't that the same thing a cult leader does? See more Buffy S @RT58373249 11/14/2024 Embarrassing to call this a documentary. Vanity Fair and HBO's quality has declined; and series is evidence. One sided, piecemeal together w stock footage used repeatedly. It's obvious that the production got in over its head w there false storyline and personal vendettas. When they realized they didn't have validity, tried to manipulate everything in their favor and not speak with anyone from any other perspectives. As well as take advantage of an old, sick mom who was grieving the loss of her daughter. Shame on you all. If I could give this zero stars I would. What a waste of time. I want my 4 hours back. See more Henk v @RT43845867 11/10/2024 Fascinating stuff. Can easily compete with other good cult documentaires. See more Dan C @cinemacriterion 11/02/2024 Another great HBO cult documentary. See more Read all reviews
Breath of Fire — Season 1

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Oct 24, 2024 Breath Katie Griggs, aka Guru Jagat, shares the teachings of Yogi Bhajan, who introduced Kundalini yoga to the U.S. in 1969. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 30, 2024 Episode 2 As Kundalini yoga hits the mainstream, Guru Jagat opens the RA MA Institute in Los Angeles, claiming direct links to Yogi Bhajan. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 6, 2024 Episode 3 While enjoying a lavish lifestyle, Guru Jagat continues to defend Yogi Bhajan's legacy despite the release of a tell-all memoir about him. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 13, 2024 Episode 4 RA MA members come forward online with stories of abuse; Guru Jagat's views become increasingly extreme and her health declines. Details
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Season Info

Director
Hayley Pappas, Smiley Stevens
Executive Producer
Lexy Altman, Sarah Amos, Agnes Chu, Helen Estabrook, Lizzie Fox, Jennifer O'Connell, Matt Ippolito, Hayley Pappas, Sonia Slutsky, Smiley Stevens
Network
HBO
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Oct 24, 2024