Yoga Maharshi Vishnu Bhaskar Lele — Founder of Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Pune
Our Founder

Kailasvasi Vishnu Bhaskar Lele

Shri Vishnu Bhaskar Lele was born on the 2nd of October 1920 at Wai, Satara. After completing his schooling, he joined the Central Defense Accounts (CDA-O) organization under the Government of India, which transferred him to various locations across the country.

During his service, he encountered many health challenges. In 1965, he met Hon. B. L. Vaidya, a renowned Yoga Acharya, and the guidance he received made an immensely positive impact on his life — not just physically and mentally, but in his performance at work too.

These improvements motivated him to share the benefits of yoga with others. He began assisting Acharya Vaidya and eventually started conducting his own classes. In 1975, he trained the ex-commissioner of Pune Municipal Corporation, Mr. R. G. Gupte, and on 1st May 1976, Lele Guruji Yoga Varga was formally established at Nehru Stadium, Swargate, Pune.

Lele Guruji personally guiding a student at Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Nehru Stadium Swargate Pune

Lele Guruji personally guiding a student at Nehru Stadium, Swargate

Early class at Lele Guruji Yoga Varga — Shirshasana guidance at Nehru Stadium Swargate Pune

An early class photograph — Lele Guruji guiding students in Shirshasana

Legacy

History of Lele Guruji Yoga Varga

From a single class at Nehru Stadium in 1976, Lele Guruji and his colleagues spread the practice of yoga across Pune — to universities, companies, the army, hospitals, and beyond.

1st May 1976
Lele Guruji Yoga Varga established at Nehru Stadium, Swargate, Pune
2nd October 1982
Class started at Marble Hall, Pune University
1st January 1983
Classes began at Telco Company for Officers and Apprentices
15th October 1984
RSI Mess (Southern Command) — classes for Army Officers and Jawans
16th October 1986
Classes for Doctors and staff at Leprosy Centre, Aundh Urology Hospital
17th August 1987
Classes for PMT Drivers and Conductors, Pune
1st June 1994
Bharti Niwas, Erandwane location opened — classes continue to this day
Class opening ceremony 1st May 1976 — Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Nehru Stadium Swargate Pune

1st May 1976 — Lele Guruji felicitating Dr. H. V. Sardesai at the class opening, Nehru Stadium

Student get-together 1978 at Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Pune

Get-together of students in 1978 — the growing yoga family at LGYV

Gurupurnima gathering at Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Nehru Stadium Swargate Pune

Gurupurnima gathering — students in prayer at Nehru Stadium, Swargate

Early yoga class at Bharti Niwas Erandwane — Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Pune 1994

1994 — First classes at Bharti Niwas, Erandwane — our second location

Annual exhibition at Lele Guruji Yoga Varga Nehru Stadium Swargate Pune — Dr Sancheti

Dr. Sancheti viewing the LGYV annual exhibition at Nehru Stadium