HBO’s new docuseries, “Breath of Fire,” premiering on Wednesday night, examines the rise and fall of Guru Jagat, the charismatic millennial who rebranded herself as the face of Kundalini yoga.
The series premiere traces Jagat’s transformation from YouTube astrologer to spiritual leader, opening the RA MA Institute in Los Angeles and attracting a devoted following.
But “Breath of Fire” doesn’t just focus on Jagat. It also explores the history of Kundalini yoga itself, from its 1960s introduction to the US by Yogi Bhajan to its current place in the wellness world.
Drawing on former followers’ accounts and Hayley Phelan’s Vanity Fair article, “The Second Coming of Guru Jagat,” the series digs into the complexities of modern spirituality, examining issues of cultural appropriation and the potential pitfalls of charismatic leadership.
Breath of Fire: Series Premiere airs Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
