Mohammad Farhan Israeli/Jaipur

The transformation of Naeem Khan from an ordinary individual into a global yoga guru is a story of vision, courage, and inner awakening. Of a guru who presents yoga as a universal energy transcending religion, culture, and borders.

Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s cultural heartland, Naeem’s spiritual journey began when an old friend, who had embraced monastic life, introduced him to a philosophy rooted in energy and nature.

Naeem was amazed to see cats, lizards, and birds coexisting peacefully in his friend's ashram. He was told that the creatures lived under the influence of a protective “energy.” That moment planted in him a deep curiosity—and the seed of self-discovery.

Yoga Guru Naeem Khan practising Yoga

Another close friend, Manish Goyal, gifted him Baba Ramdev’s book Asana, Pranayama, Mudra and Bandha, marking the beginning of Naeem’s yoga journey. He went on to study medical yoga under Guru Karunakaraji in Mangalore, a disciple of the legendary B.K.S. Iyengar. Through disciplined practice, Naeem not only found mental peace but also discovered a clear purpose for his life.

In 2013, he founded his yoga school, Karma World, at the historic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur. More than just a center for yoga learning, it has evolved into a confluence of Indian culture, music, art, and mindfulness. People from India and around the world come to Karma World, where Naeem and his son, yoga guru Naud Khan, guide them through 90-minute sessions in asanas, pranayama, and meditation aimed at restoring inner balance.

Naeem has conducted yoga workshops across Germany, France, Switzerland, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Dubai—presenting yoga as a scientific discipline rather than a religious practice. In 2013, he organized the first International Yoga and Music Festival at Mehrangarh Fort, attended by leading yoga masters and performing artists. In 2015, he was honored in Germany as the "first Muslim yoga guru."

Yoga Guru Naeem Khan with International students

Two years later, in 2017, Europe's prestigious Academy of Culture NWR invited him to lecture and hold workshops on Indian yoga and spirituality. His sessions on chakra healing, meditation, and blindfold yoga offered international seekers profound experiences of clarity, concentration, and energy.

Naeem says yoga is far more than physical exercise; is the soul’s discipline. “Yoga removes pain from life and fills it with energy, enthusiasm, and equilibrium.” To deepen yoga’s social relevance, he initiated the "Roza Mein Yoga" campaign during the holy month of Ramzan, offering breathing exercises to fasting individuals at Maulana Azad University. “Proper breathing,” he explains, “relieves fatigue and renews freshness, even during fasting.”

On International Yoga Day 2025, Naeem and his son held a special session in partnership with the university and Karma Yoga Jeevan Trust. Hundreds attended to learn asanas like Hasta Uttanasana, Shashankasana, Bhujangasana, Merudandasana, Nadi Shodhan Pranayama, Bhramari, and Makarasana, all aimed at strengthening immunity and mental stability.

Yoga Guru Naeem Khan teaching Yoga  in a foreign locale

Naeem’s mission extends beyond wellness. He promotes Indian handicrafts, environment-friendly practices, and cultural exchange. He has campaigned for replacing exotic trees with indigenous plant species in Rajasthan's desert zones and organized international collaborations with artists from Europe, America, and Africa.

Music runs deep in his lineage. His grandfather, Ustad Umardin Khan, was the court musician of the Jodhpur royal family, and his maternal uncle, Padma Bhushan Ustad Sultan Khan, played sarod alongside global icons like The Beatles and George Harrison.

His musical ancestry includes maestros like Ustad Maula Baksh and Allah Baksh. However, as times changed, music in the family faded. His father, Nizamuddin Khan, chose social service and worked in education. Naeem and his brother initially ventured into business across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai.

But a turning point came with personal losses—the sudden demise of his beloved uncle Ustad Nasir Khan, and then his grandmother, a renowned Ayurvedic healer and midwife. These events shook Naeem. Distressed by grief and existential questions, he found no solace in sleeping pills or religious texts. “All religions say ‘don’t ask questions, just believe.’ But my mind wasn’t ready to accept that,” he reflects.

Yoga Guru Naeem Khan in a Yoga pose

Despite a strong attachment to his faith, Naeem avoids fanaticism. “If you live by your faith sincerely, you’re already a yogi,” he believes. Undeterred by threats and fundamentalist criticism, he introduced yoga to diverse communities—including Muslims—many of whom now value his contributions.

His style of yoga goes beyond postures—it’s a philosophy of mindful living. He advises, “When bad news comes, don’t react immediately. First, focus on your breath. That’s the start of meditation.” His favorite asanas include Prayer Pose, Raised Hands Pose, Nose to Knees, and Shavasana, which help reduce stress and improve flexibility.

READ MORE: Maimuna Nargis infuses life into broken pieces of history

He incorporates fast-breathing techniques taught by his mentor Baba Vijayvast into daily practice to invigorate the body. Naeem recommends everyone practice yoga and meditation at least three to four times a week for holistic