According to Iyengar’s website, BKS Iyengar passed away on August 20, 2014. The message on his website read: ‘I always tell people, live happily and die majestically.’ He had been admitted to the hospital after he faced difficulty breathing and was put on dialysis for renal insufficiency. Known for popularising Yoga in the West, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1991, the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2014. Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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Yoga guru BKS Iyengar s condition had became more critical on Tuesday and doctors had to insert a nasogastric tube to provide him with liquid sustenance. The famous yoga guru was put on dialysis on Sunday due to renal failure. Compared to Monday when he had become little drowsy for the first time after hospitalisation, Iyengar’s condition has become more critical on Tuesday (August 19). He has become drowsier, hence we had to put a tube to ensure he remains hydrated and nourished , a doctor treating him told TOI.

Iyengar had been under the weather for the last three weeks. He was ill for three weeks and had steadfastly refused to get himself admitted and was treated at home by his family physician. He was even put on intravenous fluid at home. His family members could finally persuade him to get admitted after his condition worsened. He was admitted to the hospital on August 12. He was put on non-invasive ventilator for a day but he refused to undergo aggressive treatment and hence, he was put off the artificial respiration, the doctor said.

Iyengar was also suffering from heart trouble. His heart’s current ejection fraction (capability of the heart to pump blood) is 20% now. It was 25 per cent when he was admitted. He has been put on medication to improve the heart function, but it has not shown much result, the doctor said.

The ejection rate of human heart should be in the range of 45 to 55% for proper blood circulation in the body. But low ejection rate of his heart has led to decreased blood supply to all the vital organs including brain, kidney and intestines. This has also led to kidney failure, the doctor said. We have put him on intermittent dialysis from Sunday. He has undergone three cycles of dialysis so far but his kidneys didn’t respond to the treatment, the doctor added.

BKS Iyengar was considered to be one of the foremost yoga teachers in the world and is the founder of Iyengar Yoga. He has written many books on yoga practice and philosophy and is sometimes referred to as the father of modern yoga. He learned yoga from his brother-in-law Sri Tirumalai Krisnamacharya who asked him to come to Mysore. The main reason for this was to improve his health. He was then sent to places by Krishnamacharya to spread his teachings. Iyengar would go on to teach yoga in London, Switzerland, Paris and other places and the popularity of yoga in the West is considered to be his doing.

Condolences on Twitter

RT @svelaga: BKS Iyengar passed away at 3.15am today. A relative n student of Krishnamacharya chennai.~Sarvam Krsna arpanaasthu Ranga (@ranganaathan) August 20, 2014

BKS Iyengar passes away early morning today. Prayers and deepest respect. Jayashree (@Jayshrek) August 20, 2014

Very sad to hear that Mr Iyengar passed away this morning. He inspired many on how to live a healthy life through yoga, including me. RIP. Tarun Sharma (@tarun_d_sharma) August 20, 2014

BKS Iyengar. One of yoga’s great teachers died today in India. Om shanti. http://t.co/3TjylVFVRR Blue Point Yoga (@BluePointYoga) August 20, 2014

The international face of Yoga…Yog Guru BKS Iyengar no more..Saar RIP milan balakrishnan (@milantheshrink) August 20, 2014

Sad news. RIP Yoga Guru @svelaga: BKS Iyengar passed away at 3.15am today. A relative n student of Krishnamacharya Chennai Vikram Waman Karve (@vikramwkarve) August 20, 2014

I am saddened of the news. RIP BKS Iyengar. You have changed so many lives! I honor you and will carry your… http://t.co/ANSNV8CZzR Danielle Gentilcore (@Gentilcoreyoga) August 20, 2014

R.I.P.#BKSIyengar. You influenced my yoga practice & this beautiful journey of 9 years as a yoga teacher. God Bless pic.twitter.com/NjN1DmzpRy Julie Booth (@namastehavgr8da) August 20, 2014

RIP BKS Iyengar, what a light you were in the #yoga world & we are so grateful for your tremendous service, “yoga… http://t.co/MPYOTSICo0 danae robinett (@bellayogini) August 20, 2014

Taking a Vinyasa in honor of BKS Iyengar #RIP Madyson Leo (@Mad_Y_son) August 20, 2014

What is yoga?

Yoga has its roots in the ancient texts like the Vedas and the Upanishads. Technically speaking it s a Hindu spiritual discipline though parts of it, like breath control, mediation and other body postures are practiced by many for weight loss, better health and to get rid of stress. Today it s become something of a fad and has spawned exercise regimes like power yoga and hot yoga. It s also a popular form of alternative therapy to treat various ailments. Yogis claim that treatments have benefited patients of autism, asthma and even cancer as they make the body more receptive to cure and healing. On The Health Site, you ll find everything you ever needed to know about yoga including the various yoga asanas, the various health benefits, asanas for a better sex life and how it helps battle ailments like diabetes, stress and depression, arthritis, belly fat and even menstrual pain.

Picture Source: http://www.bksiyengar.com/

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