From Tashkent to Nepal, Istanbul, and Brachttal – the extraordinary journey of a man who made yoga his life’s mission
1920 - 2025, Tashkent, Nepal, Brachtal, Frankfurt am Main, Istanbul
Advertisement for Yogi Kazim Classe in Hürriyet, 24.11.1980 - Photo: TAM Museum Source: Stabi Berlin
Advertisement for Yogi Kazim Classes in Hürriyet, 27.11.1980 - Photo: TAM Museum Source: Stabi Berlin
At TAM Museum, we highlight stories that challenge our perspective on the guestworker era and that expand the limits of what is possible—physically, culturally, and personally. Yogi Kazım’s life exemplifies this spirit.
Born in Tashkent with Indian ancestry, shaped by a decade in Nepal studying yoga, and later active in both Turkey and Germany, he became known for his extraordinary physical feats and his determination to share his wisdom despite personal hardships and public skepticism.
Born in Tashkent with Indian ancestry, shaped by a decade in Nepal studying yoga, and later active in both Turkey and Germany, he became known for his extraordinary physical feats and his determination to share his wisdom despite personal hardships and public skepticism.
Early Years: From Tashkent to Nepal
Born in Tashkent to a family with Indian roots, Kazım’s life took an unusual turn at the age of ten. His grandfather took him to Nepal, where they lived for the next ten years. Immersed in yoga practice from childhood, he developed the remarkable physical flexibility and mental discipline that would later define his public persona.
Stardom in Istanbul – and a Turning Point
In the 1940s and 1950s, Yogi Kazım worked in Istanbul’s glamorous Taksim Casino, gaining fame for his extreme contortion acts and demonstrations of physical control. His career came to a halt in 1961 when a traffic accident in Izmir left him 50% paralyzed. Defying medical expectations, he regained his mobility through his own healing methods—an experience that shaped his conviction to dedicate the rest of his life to teaching and sharing his philosophy.
Trials, Persecution, and Persistence
In the 1960s, Yogi Kazım faced repeated persecution in Turkey, accused in court of being a charlatan. Despite these challenges, he continued his teaching, attracting a following of people curious about yoga, health, and personal transformation.
Years in Germany
In 1973, Yogi Kazım moved to Germany and founded the Yoga Leben Schule in Brachttal, Hesse. The school became a meeting point for students from many walks of life—including unexpected connections with the Offenbacher Kickers football club. His daughter, Hikmet Gürbüz, recalls:
“As the child of yoga instructor parents, I spent my childhood at the yoga school my family opened in Germany. When I was nine, we moved back to Turkey for good, and as a family we continued to give voluntary lessons for many years in the basement of our home.”
During the 1980s, Yogi Kazım promoted his classes and philosophy through advertisements in Hürriyet’s Germany edition, reaching the Turkish diaspora.
Return and Legacy
In the 2000s, Yogi Kazım returned to Turkey, continuing to teach on a voluntary basis until late in life. He passed away in 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.
Sources:
YouTube: Yogi Kazım – Life and Practice, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcZERCDM8CY (last accessed 12.08.2025)