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Hikmet Gurbuz

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A Yoga Journey Where Science Meets Tradition

Born to a family of yoga instructors, Hikmet Gürbüz spent her early years at the Yoga School her family established in Germany. From a young age, she was immersed in body awareness and yoga practice.

After returning to Turkey, she earned her degree in Astronomy and Space Sciences from Istanbul University. However, her deep interest in human movement and body mechanics led her to pursue further education at Marmara University’s School of Physical Education and Sports (BESYO). This allowed her to deepen her yoga expertise with a strong scientific foundation.

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​The Birth of Maya Yoga

In 2007, she took over the yoga studio her mother had founded in 2000 under the name "Nirvana" and rebranded it as "Maya Yoga".Maya Yoga became more than just a yoga studio; it evolved into a center for body and mind awareness, a training hub for yoga instructors, and a space for deepening yoga knowledge.

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A Path Toward Yoga Therapy

Growing up with YOKA, the system her father, Yogi Kazım Gürbüz, developed to overcome paralysis, Hikmet focused her studies on the therapeutic applications of yoga.

In 2008, she completed Viniyoga Therapy training with Gary Kraftsow.

In 2011, she was introduced to Svastha Yoga Therapy, developed by Dr. Ganesh Mohan and Dr. Günter Niessen, based on the teachings of A.G. Mohan, a direct student of Krishnamacharya for 18 years. She found this approach particularly aligned with her philosophy, as it emphasizes a holistic and personalized view of the body.

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Maya Retreat Center: A Sanctuary in Nature

In 2020, she fulfilled her dream of creating a retreat center in the Kazıklı village of Milas, a space fully immersed in nature.
Maya Retreat Center, surrounded by a 360° view of trees, is composed entirely of wooden houses, offering a unique environment for yoga, meditation, and self-discovery.

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As the founder of Maya Yoga, Hikmet Gürbüz continues to share her yoga journey and expand awareness through her teachings.

Education & Expertise

Hikmet Gürbüz has built a strong foundation in yoga, integrating scientific principles with traditional wisdom.
Over the years, she has trained in therapeutic yoga, movement anatomy, pranayama, meditation, and yoga philosophy, working with renowned teachers from various traditions.

Certifications & Trainings

2005

  • Vivekananda Yoga University – Yoga Teacher Training Certification

  • Kundalini Yoga Workshop – Gurmukh

  • Sivananda Ashram (Netala) – Yoga Q&A Sessions

  • Dayananda Ashram (Rishikesh) – Yoga Discussions

  • S-VYASA University, Sri NV Raghuramji

    • Pranayama Seminar

    • Concentration Seminar

    • Mantra Workshop

    • Bandha Workshop

    • Stress Management Workshop

2006

  • Traditional Ashtanga Yoga Workshop – Manju Pattabhi Jois

2007

  • Yin-Yang Yoga & Mindfulness Meditation Workshop – Sarah Powers

  • Iyengar Yoga Workshop – Paul Cabanis

  • Ashtanga Yoga Foundation Course – Eric Powell

2008

  • Viniyoga Therapy – Gary Kraftsow, USA

    • Yoga for Lower Back, Neck, and Spine Health

    • Yoga for Insomnia

    • Yoga for Depression

  • Yoga Teacher Training for MS – Monte Sinai Hospital, USA

  • Prenatal – Postnatal Yoga Teacher Training – USA

2009

  • The Hot, Hip, and Holy Workshop – Sharon Gannon & David Life, USA

  • Hips and Twists Workshop – Rodney Yee & Colleen Saidman Yee, USA

  • Our Much-Needed Knees Workshop – Aadil Palkhivala, USA

  • Inversions, Backbends, and Sitting with Your Breath Workshop – David Swenson, USA

  • 200-Hour Prana Flow Yoga Teacher Training – Shiva Rea, USA

2010

  • Body as Temple Teacher Intensive (50 Hours) – Shiva Rea

  • Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training – David Swenson

2012

  • Mythic Yoga Flow – Sianna Sherman

  • Inversions and Arm Balancing – Ana Forrest

  • The Mysterious Sacroiliac Joint – Judith Hanson Lasater

  • Yoga for Your Neck and Shoulders – Marla Apt

  • Embodied Anatomy: Bony Landmarks & Fascia Geography – Jill Miller

  • Seeing and Understanding Bodies – Aadil Palkhivala

  • Unlock the Power of a Healthy Spine – Aadil Palkhivala

  • Aim True – Kathryn Budig

  • Thai Yoga Massage – Saul David Raye

2013

  • Swaha Aerial Yoga Teacher Training Course – Swaha Yoga Center, Athens

2014

  • The Power of Touch – Giselle Mari

  • Tending Our Heartfire – Shiva Rea

  • Vinyasa Krama – Rod Stryker

  • Yin Yang Flow – Vinnie Marino

  • Therapeutic Yoga for the Feet, Knees, and Hips – Nicki Doane & Eddie Modestini

  • Maha Shakti – Dharma Mittra

  • Yoga and Ayurveda – Scott Blossom

2016

  • LIVE Pillars of Power – Baron Baptiste & Leah Cullis

  • Vinyasa Mimics Life – Noah Maze

  • Three-Dimensional Spirals in Asana Practice – Leslie Kaminoff

  • Advanced Studies in Myth & Symbolism – Alanna Kaivalya

2018

  • Isha Hatha Yoga – Angamardana

2020

  • Master’s Degree in Yoga Therapy – S-VYASA Yoga University, India

2023

  • Inside Flow – Bali (212 Hours)

2024

  • Inside Flow – Bali (212 Hours)

2025

  • Inside Flow – Bali (212 Hours)

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