. New Delhi, Delhi, India
Who was Guru Jagat?
Jagat described herself as a "serial entrepreneur" in a 2019 interview with Women's Wear Daily. (Photo credit: Instagram)
- Jagat was born Katie Griggs in Fort Collins, Colorado
- She first opened RA MA's first studio in Venice Beach, California in 2013 where she won celebrity devotees
- She is survived by her partner, motivational speaker John Whineland
Popular Kundalini yoga studio founder Guru Jagat died in Los Angeles on Sunday after reportedly suffering a pulmonary embolism following ankle surgery. She was 41.
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Jagat founded the RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology with seven locations around the world. The Institute confirmed the news on Instagram writing "Guru Jagat left her body on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at 9:07pm PDT in Los Angeles. She was surrounded by her family and her teacher. We will be forever changed by the legacy she created.
Kundalini yoga is a more spiritual form of yoga and Kundalini energy is referred to as energy that sits at the base of your spine like a coiled snake. The purpose of this practice is said to be to activate this energy through chanting, singing, breathing exercises and repetition of certain yoga postures.
Jagat, who was a teacher in Kundalini yoga, was born as Katie Griggs in Fort Collins, Colorado. She reportedly studied under Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini yoga to the US, and was given her Sanskrit name which translates to "bringer of light to the universe," though she later denied they'd ever met.
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She first opened RA MA's first studio in Venice Beach, California in 2013 where she won celebrity devotees including Kate Hudson and Alicia Keys.
She is survived by her partner, motivational speaker John Whineland.
Her death has been marked by RA MA Institute with 17 days of chanting Akal, until August 17. In the Kundalini practice this is said to help guide the departing soul as it leaves the earthly realm.
Jagat described herself as a "serial entrepreneur" in a 2019 interview with Women's Wear Daily. She went on opening more RA MA Institute locations across California, New York and Mallorca, Spain; authored the book Invincible Living; hosted her own podcast Reality Riffing; and creating her own fashion brand Guru Jagat Collection.