Yoga Pioneer. Born as Harbhajan Singh Puri, in India, he arrived in Los Angles, California in 1969 and was the first to publicly teach Kundalini Yoga. A deeply devoted Sikh, his inspiration and example motivated millions to embrace the Sikh way of life. Through his personal efforts, he was legally incorporated and officially recognized as a religion in the USA in 1971. Given the responsibility to create a Sikh Ministry in the West, he was honored with the title Bhai Sahib by the religious authority in Amritsar, India in 1974. He became a United States Citizen in 1976, changed his name legally to Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji and was known as Yogi Bhajan, spiritual leader. He formed the non-profit 3HO Foundation (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) service to humanity through Kundalini Yoga and meditation.  In 1994 the 3HO became a member of the United Nations as a Non-Governmental-Organization promoting human rights, providing education in 35 countries worldwide. As an ardent advocate of world peace, he was a mentor to Senators, Congressmen, and Governors regardless of political affiliation, he promoted spiritual awareness through yoga in all arenas. In 1995 he received the Courage of Conscience Award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Massachusetts. Traveling extensively he crusaded tirelessly to educate, uplift and enlighten everyone he met. His motto was, “If you can’t see God in all, you can’t see God at all.” Cause of death, heart failure at his home in Espanola, New Mexico. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-staff for two days after the death. (bio by: John “J-Cat” Griffith)