Breath of Fire

I'm a believer in the benefits of yoga and meditation it does work. You may need guidance but paying thousands for someone to tell you how to be still is a bit ridiculous. I grew up in a household where yoga meditation where a normal part of life even though it was weird to all the rednecks around me I had a true understanding of it from actual Indians that li we by the yogi life. My farther is Hindu so a true respect for this is something that I learned through him. I never wore a turban or the garbs you see white people wearing to show how enlightened they are. It's not about what you where at all but that's what mainstream money making America needs so like the sheep we are we go along. True meditation is truly only done and found by you. Anyone can do this and everyone should experience the benefits of it without having to pay for it or to pay someone to open you up. Knowledge of yoga and meditation can be found and learned through research. Good for this woman and her followers but bad for her karma and gaining a profit off of the beautiful experiences. We each have the ability to become enlightened teach yourself and be patient it takes time and is worth the time but I promise it's not worth the money. Namaste.

I am a kundaliniyoga teacher but I had already left the Yogi Bhajan strict style of yoga around 2015-2017. Living in Sweden I was far from the toxic ashram environment but it was very informative to see the documentary. I would have liked more about Yogi Bhajan and less about Guru Jagat but I understand she was also a charasmatic leader and that for many viewers she is more interesting since she was active more recently.

I am currently foing Relgious Studies at a university in Sweden and I think it is important to know the history of some of these "cults" (cult has a specific definition within academic studies but here I refer to the more generic meaning).

I recommend the documentary.

The abuses and crimes in Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga world were hidden for far too long. This documentary proves that history can repeat itself if truth-telling is not done.

Breath of Fire will make it more difficult for this group's current leaders to sweep their dark history under the Yoga Mat.

Highlights for me: the picture painted of GuruJagat's past, the revelation of the actual criminal Harijiwan (nick-named toner-bandit), and the sensitivity with which the testimony of the survivor of sexual abuse is brought.

The documentary makers did a great job on so many different levels. A big thanks to all those who contributed!

I was part of this group till I recognized that something was "fishy" about letting one man dictate my life. I got out in the mid 80's. Later I got my children out as well.

I became a trauma therapist to help others who fell into a spiritual abuse situation.

It is a good overview of how a cult works and what to avoid. Now I can see other cults out there, past and present.

It has former members telling their stories for pain and betrayal. Some of them I knew. Their stories are riveting. Stories that illustrate how a narcissist can pull followers to follow and eventually control all aspects of their lives.

This series is extraordinarily well done and manages to avoid the usual sensationalism that is a standard feature of most documentaries about cults. In large part this is due to the interviewing style of Hayley Pappas, whose compassionate and empathic approach elicited heart-felt and deeply moving responses. There were a couple of things that might have enhanced the series. I thought the "comic relief" of the bit explaining Kundalini Yoga was a bit silly, and the use of models and dancers dressed up to look like female yogis struck me as odd and unnecessary. The producers also left out a huge piece of the Kundalini Yoga culture, which was the music. Granted, the musical sound track was quite good, but for many in the cult, the music was a large part of the appeal. Overall, however, I give the producers high marks.