Our Trainers

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.

Ülkü Gürbüz met yoga when she met her husband, Yogi Kazım Gürbüz.
She became a yoga instructor at the Yoga School they founded in Germany and later, upon returning to Turkey, established the Nirvana Yoga Center in Bakırköy in 2000.

A journey immersed in the Yoka System from birth.
Born as the second child of Yogi Kazım and Ülkü Gürbüz, Zeki Ruşen Gürbüz grew up within the Yoka System.
Until he started university in 1996, he actively practiced Yoka.

She started yoga due to physical health issues. Along with changes in her physical body, she noticed a transformation in the harmony of her mind and spirit, which led her to decide to join a teacher training program in 2021.
While continuing her education, she is also happy to be a representative of Maya Yoga Güneşli.

Over time, she was introduced to yoga and realized that this practice made her feel much better both physically and mentally.
As a result, she decided to become a yoga instructor and completed the Maya Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program in 2016–2017.

Aylin Aydınlı Okumuş is a graduate of the Faculty of Economics at Istanbul University.
She is married and a mother of two children.
She began practicing yoga at Maya Yoga in 2007 and gradually developed herself in this field.

After attending classes as a student for about a year, she decided to deepen her practice in yoga with the encouragement of a teacher she admired.
In October 2018, she began her teacher training with Hikmet Gürbüz, and after completing her training, she joined the Maya Yoga family as an instructor.

Pervin Yanıker began taking yoga classes with Ülkü Gürbüz in 2002, upon the recommendation of her closest friend, due to cervical straightening and fibromyalgia pain she experienced during her years in banking.

In 2014, her path crossed with Maya Yoga, and she chose to continue on this journey, which became a turning point in her life. She completed the Maya Yoga 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program with Hikmet Gürbüz and Ülkü Gürbüz. She continues to deepen her knowledge and experience by pursuing further yoga trainings.

He was introduced to yoga in 2017 and decided to begin his training the same year. During 2017–2018, he attended the Maya Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program.

She took a break from her intense career in international sales and marketing to raise her two daughters. During this period, she discovered yoga and realized that it was the most beneficial practice for her, including in addressing her health issues. Wanting to share this sense of well-being with others, she decided to specialize in this field.

Neslihan is a graduate of the International Relations Department at Çağ University and worked as a store manager in the textile industry. She was introduced to yoga in 2020 and attended the Maya Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program during 2022–2023.

She worked in business management for many years. Her introduction to yoga came with the opening of the Güneşli studio. As she noticed the positive changes and strengthening yoga brought to her body and spirit, she decided to pursue professional training with the guidance and support of her teachers. She attended the 200-hour yoga teacher training program in 2023–2024.

During the pandemic, she joined a 200-hour Yoga Specialization Program to deepen her practice, and subsequently completed the 300-hour advanced specialization modules. With the intention of helping others experience the benefits she has felt herself, she teaches yoga classes.

In 2024, she began her journey with the Maya Yoga family as a student, and later completed the 200-hour Foundational Yoga Training with Hikmet Gürbüz. In addition to deepening her yoga practice, she also works as a writer for a humor magazine.

She became a Pilates student in 2013, and her path crossed with yoga when her instructor began practicing yoga. In 2020, she completed a four-level Pilates training program at the Australia Sports Institute & Fitness Academy. Her introduction to Maya Yoga was largely influenced by Didem, who started as her Pilates instructor and later received training at Maya Yoga.

Günay, who has been involved in sports since childhood, began practicing yoga due to physical pain caused by the demands of her profession. She started her yoga journey as a student at Maya Yoga, later deciding to continue this path as an instructor, and attended the Maya Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program during 2018–2019. She teaches hatha, vinyasa, yin, aerial (hammock) yoga, and animal flow classes at our studios, and continues her active flying career in her role as a Cabin Supervisor.

After being introduced to yoga, she pursued deeper studies in yoga philosophy and practice, and undertook trainings with the aim of sharing the physical and mental healing benefits of yoga with others. In 2023, she completed the Maya Yoga 200-Hour Yoga Specialization Program.

After retiring in 2007, she began practicing yoga at Maya Yoga in 2009. In 2015, she attended the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Program.

She began taking yoga classes with Ülkü Gürbüz in 2002. Currently working at a private company, Sibel has never drifted away from yoga and has made it an essential part of her life. While continuing her classes at Maya Yoga, she also participated in various trainings to further develop herself, and she continues her yoga practice as a student of Hikmet Gürbüz. She hopes that everyone will one day have the opportunity to experience yoga.

Over time, she recognized the profound impact yoga had on her life and decided to pursue this path professionally. Through the comprehensive trainings, mentorships, and ongoing specialization programs she has completed, she approaches yoga not as a mechanical practice, but as a personalized, safe, and awareness-based discipline.

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