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Season 1 – Breath of Fire

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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 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. Oct 30, 2024 Full Review Alison Lanier Pajiba 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. Nov 18, 2024 Full Review Joel Keller Decider 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. Oct 28, 2024 Full Review Amyana Bartley QBP Reviews It’s time to rethink buying Yogi Tea! Oct 23, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John D 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!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/26/24 Full Review Carlos D 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. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/16/24 Full Review Buffy S 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. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 11/14/24 Full Review Henk v Fascinating stuff. Can easily compete with other good cult documentaires. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Dan C Another great HBO cult documentary. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/02/24 Full Review Penelope R Releasing 1 episode a week is like watching a slow dripping faucet fill up a kitchen sink. HBO's intentional snail's pace storytelling to ensure people continue to pay for a channel subscription is infuriating. Much like Guru Jagat, a whole lot of talking with nothing being said. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 11/01/24 Full Review 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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Breath of Fire — Season 1

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Breath of Fire — Season 1

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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