Yogi Kazim
Who Is Yogi Kazım Gürbüz?
Yogi Kazım Gürbüz is one of Turkey’s pioneering yoga masters and the founder of the Yoka System. Over a lifetime of dedication, he has explored the limits of physical, mental, and spiritual potential — transforming his personal journey into a living system that has inspired countless individuals.
A Turning Point: The 1961 Accident
In 1961, Kazım was involved in a catastrophic traffic accident that left him paralyzed below the waist with a broken spine. Conscious but unable to move his legs, he was told by doctors that he would never walk again. Long before that, he had spent 20 years in the foothills of the Himalayas, receiving deep spiritual and physical training.
Rebirth Through Will, Discipline & Experimentation
After his recovery, Yogi Kazım believed his healing should serve a greater purpose — to help others. Embracing this as his life mission, he decided to travel across Anatolia, village by village. In the 1970s, when polio was widespread, he often encountered paralyzed children during his journeys — and astonishingly, managed to help them recover within just ten days.
After these miraculous events, word quickly spread — and soon, people from all over began seeking out our wise yogi. Thousands of children from across Anatolia witnessed the healing power of Yogi Kazım’s hands.
As his fame grew, the Medical Association of the time filed a complaint against him, accusing him of practicing without authorization. An investigation was launched, forcing Yogi Kazım to pause his healing work. Supported by public audiences and, at times, controversy, he was granted a “Massage Permit” by the then-Prime Minister Süleyman Demirel to continue his therapeutic work.
International Recognition
Despite this official approval, the Medical Association persisted in their complaints. As the saying goes, “fruit-bearing trees are the ones that get stoned.” Frustrated but undeterred, Yogi Kazım began accepting invitations from abroad — especially from Germany, where a group of doctors expressed great interest in his methods.
By then, Yogi Kazım’s reputation had reached international levels. Prominent newspapers featured him on their front pages, and North West London University awarded him an honorary professorship.
Spreading the Work: Turkey, Germany & Beyond
Yogi Kazım’s Healing of Ivory Coast’s President
In 1984, after renowned doctors from multiple countries failed to help the ailing President Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Ivory Coast, Kazım was privately invited from Europe to attempt a last-resort treatment. Demonstrating extraordinary physical control and spiritual practices, he gained the confidence of the president and his medical team. Over a few days, he helped the bedridden leader stand and walk again—an event that astonished the palace, foreign diplomats, and accompanying journalists. The president grew so close to Kazım that he called him “brother,” hosted him like a head of state, placed him in symbolic positions of honor, and even offered him a million-dollar gift. Kazım’s intervention became an international media sensation and cemented his reputation as a healer whose influence reached the highest levels of global political leadership.
The Yoka System: Essence of a Life
YOKA is the name of Yogi Kazım’s system.The name Yoka is derived from syllables of his name (Yogi Kazim → “Yo-Ka”) . YOKA is a system that allows people to live young and healthy, that maintains and rejuvenates the body, and that eliminates negative effects. It is a system created by Yogi Kazım, who wants to offer it to the benefit of the people of the world.
Role of Yoka in Yogi Kazim’s Health
In 2001, Yogi Kazım was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors removed his kidney, right and left adrenal glands, spleen, and a portion of his pancreas. However, Yogi Kazım didn't believe he had cancer, especially after pathology results came back clean.
He was told he couldn't exercise or practice YOKA anymore. Just 10 days after surgery, despite doctors' warnings, he resumed practicing YOKA, demonstrating the power of his system and personal determination.
Legacy & Continuity
After more than six decades of practice and innovation, Yogi Kazım returned to Turkey and devoted his time to sharing his experiences and reminding humanity that the same power he once used lies within everyone. He gradually entrusted the propagation of his work to the next generation.
He passed away in April 2025, leaving behind a legacy that bridges continents, languages, and traditions—and a story that reflects both migration history and the global exchange of ideas.
His daughter, Hikmet Gürbüz, now leads efforts to teach and spread the Yoka System internationally.
For those curious to learn more, the book “90’lık Delikanlı” by Fügen Yıldırım shares the testimonies of many famous people who personally witnessed his extraordinary abilities. He never sought wealth — though he could have built a palace with the donations offered to him, he chose instead to dedicate his life to spiritual service.
