Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The #MeToo Scandal In The Kundalini Yoga Community And The Role It Played In Guru Jagat’s Radicalization

Topline:
Just as the pandemic was beginning, the Kundalini yoga community was rocked by allegations that its founder was a serial abuser. In the latest episode of our podcast Imperfect Paradise, host Emily Guerin explores how Guru Jagat, a prominent practitioner in L.A., responded to these allegations. She also explores how that response fit into Guru Jagat's descent into a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories.
About the final episode: When accusations of abuse by the late Yogi Bhajan grew widespread, some yoga studios responded by canceling all Kundalini classes, and denouncing him. Others tried to argue that the yoga Yogi Bhajan taught really helped people, even if he was harmful. And still others, like Guru Jagat’s RA MA Institute in Venice, took a different stance — doubting the accusers.
The definition of truth: Listen to a YouTube video uploaded by a colleague of Guru Jagat’s — which she shared on her social media — where he conflates the #metoo scandal with the pandemic by saying both are stories we can choose to believe, or not.
Wondering about the whole “white woman in a turban,” thing? Yeah, we were too. Host Emily Guerin gets into Kundalini yoga, and Guru Jagat’s history of cultural appropriation in this episode.
Where to listen. Find it anywhere you get your podcasts or listen here:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
According to a grand jury report the contractor took advantage of strained relations and political pressures to “force” the city to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle disputes.
-
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity.
-
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said.
-
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes.
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems.
-
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028.