YOKA SERIES

The Birth of the Yoka Series

YOKA SERIES

The Yoka Series emerged as the result of a long and profound healing journey that began after Yogi Kazım Gürbüz was paralyzed in a car accident in 1961. After the accident, he lost all sensation in the lower half of his body. However, thanks to his deep understanding of the body through his yoga knowledge, he chose not to give up—instead, he began experimenting on himself.

His first step was to have himself suspended from a tree. As sensation slowly returned, he continued with movements designed to strengthen his muscles and maintain flexibility. His lumbar vertebrae were broken and the structure of his spine was severely damaged, so every movement he made carried the risk of permanent paralysis.

When he was finally able to stand and walk again, he returned to the hospital where doctors had once told him he would never walk again. He was immediately placed in a room and observed. But he kept working. Over time, he managed to strengthen the muscles around his lower back like steel, forming a natural corset to protect and support his spine, and continued to develop movements that benefited the rest of the body.

The Yoka Series took shape through this process. Each movement has been carefully tested and refined over the years. While the core of the series has remained unchanged for over 60 years, it is continually enriched by Hikmet Gürbüz with variations that meet different physical needs.

This series is not only a powerful tool for physical transformation but also for mental and spiritual evolution.

The Structure of the Yoka Series

The Yoka Series is a holistic system composed of around 50 unique movements, each rooted in scientific understanding of the musculoskeletal system. The movements are dynamic and incorporate ballistic stretching techniques in the original series. The deliberate sequencing of each posture continues to astonish many orthopedic doctors due to its anatomical precision.

The series includes:

Muscle strength,
Muscle and joint flexibility,
Bone density and resilience,
Fascia and connective tissue stimulation,
Spinal and joint decompression,
Kinetic chain practices,
Gravity-defying postures,
Cardiovascular movement,
Inversions, and
Deep relaxation phases.

The Harmony of Motion, Breath, and Awareness

Some movements involve rapid, rhythmic stretches, while others require holding positions against gravity. This variety ensures a well-rounded, balanced engagement of the entire body.

A special breathing technique is used throughout the practice, which not only supports the execution of challenging movements but also activates the parasympathetic nervous system—bringing a deep sense of calm. Since the focus remains on the breath and the body from beginning to end, the practice takes on a meditative quality. This enhances one's awareness of their physical body, breath, and mental state.

What Makes the Yoka Series Unique

One of the most distinctive aspects of the Yoka Series is its use of pull-up bars and wall bars. The complete series is structured into four main sections:

Introductory Series: Begins with mat-based movements to gently prepare the body.
Pull-Up Bar Series: Involves upper body strength and spinal decompression through pull-up bar movements.
Wall Bar Series: Uses fixed wall bars to focus on spinal traction and balance.
Closing Series: Returns to the mat for calming movements to ease the body into rest and integration.

Thanks to this structure, every part of the body is addressed from different angles, allowing for not only physical, but also mental and energetic transformation.