File photo of Sachin Tendulkar.
Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has paid rich tributes to late yoga guru BKS Iyengar, saying that practising his asanas helped him a lot in his glorious career.
Mr Iyengar, who was credited for taking the ancient practice to the West, died in a hospital in Pune on Wednesday morning at the age of 95 following kidney failure. In his condolence message, Sachin Tendulkar recollected his first meeting with Mr Iyengar and said the yoga guru had a big role to play in his illustrious international career.
"My first detailed interaction with Guruji was way back in the year 1999, when Kiran More introduced me to him for a backache which was giving me much trouble. His serene, light hearted approach struck me and I spent a week under Guruji's care," the batting legend said in a statement.
"I will always be thankful for the wonderful asanas he taught me. Practising those asanas helped me a lot throughout my career. "Over a decade later, I was faced with a peculiar problem in my foot causing immense pain and discomfort.
I was advised surgery for the same which I was not too sure of. At that time, Zak (Zaheer Khan) suggested that I seek Guruji's advice. His positive spirit and guidance helped me to recover to an extent that the surgery was not needed," Sachin Tendulkar said.
Terming Iyengar's demise as a big loss, Tendulkar said "the smile and healing touch" of the noted yoga guru will remain with the world forever. "Guruji (BKS Iyengar) left for his heavenly abode and left us with fond memories of how he touched our lives with his unique ways," Sachin Tendulkar said in his condolence message.
"Guruji maybe not around anymore, but the warmth of his smile and his healing touch will remain with us forever. May God give us all the strength to overcome this loss and May His Soul rest in peace!" he said.