Guru Jagat

Katie Griggs
Born	Katie Griggs (1979-08-30) 30 August 1979 Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
Died	1 August 2021(2021-08-01) (aged 41)
Other names	Guru Jagat, Athena Day, Kundalini Katie
Occupation(s)	Kundalini yoga teacher, podcaster, author, businesswoman
Years active	2013–2021
Known for	Founder of Ra Ma Institute; host of Reality Riffing podcast; author of Invincible Living
Notable work	Invincible Living: The Power of Yoga, The Energy of Breath and Other Tools for a Radiant Life

'Katie Griggs (August 30, 1979 – August 1, 2021), widely recognized by her professional name Guru Jagat, was an American figure known for her roles as a Kundalini yoga teacher, podcaster, author, and businesswoman. She established the Ra Ma Institute yoga studios and managed both a fashion label and a music record company.

Early life and education

Griggs was born in 1979 in Fort Collins, Colorado and grew up influenced by New Age philosophies, nurtured by her mother who worked as a farmer and therapeutic clown. Prior to adopting the name Guru Jagat, she went by several pseudonyms including Athena Day and Kundalini Katie. After initially leaving college, she completed her degree at Antioch College and pursued Kundalini yoga training under Harbhajan Singh Khalsa in New Mexico.

Career and views

In 2013, Griggs launched the Ra Ma Institute, a Kundalini yoga center located on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice, Los Angeles. The following year, she opened an additional studio in Boulder, Colorado. Her clientele featured notable personalities such as Kate Hudson, Alicia Keys, Demi Moore, Laura Dern, and Kelly Rutherford. However, reports surfaced indicating that employees received compensation below minimum wage standards.

Griggs was the host of the podcast Reality Riffing with Guru Jagat, which during the COVID-19 pandemic became a platform for promoting conspiracy theories related to chemtrails and artificial intelligence. Among her guests were conspiracy theorists like Arthur Firstenberg and David Icke. She publicly dismissed California’s health regulations and expressed opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations.

Despite allegations of abuse against Yogi Bhajan, Griggs continued to endorse him as her mentor. She also disseminated conspiracy theories connected to QAnon, including Pizzagate. In 2021, former staff members accused her of managing Ra Ma Institute with cult-like practices and making disparaging comments about a supporter of Black Lives Matter.

Beyond her yoga teaching career, Griggs owned the fashion brand Robotic Disaster and operated the record label RA MA Records.

Invincible Living (book)

Griggs authored Invincible Living: The Power of Yoga, The Energy of Breath and Other Tools for a Radiant Life (), published by Harper Elixir in 2017. This illustrated volume draws from teachings shared through her RA MA Media platform and provides instructions on breathing techniques and physical movements alongside lifestyle and wellness guidance. It promises benefits such as enhanced metabolism, improved mood, greater creativity, stress reduction, and decelerated aging. The book also addresses topics like financial success and sexual well-being.

Personal life and death

In 2019, Griggs wed Teg Nam in a Sikh ceremony held in Scotland.

She passed away on August 1, 2021, at age 41 due to cardiac arrest resulting from a pulmonary embolism after undergoing ankle surgery. Her final resting place is Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Legacy

HBO Max created the documentary series Breath of Fire, named after a Kundalini yoga breathing practice, which explores her life story. The series debuted on October 23, 2024. Additionally, LAist featured her narrative in season four of their podcast Imperfect Paradise.

See also

• Yoga in the United States
• Sexual abuse by yoga gurus

External links

• Ra Ma Yoga Institute – official site