Overview: A Community-Driven Health Initiative
The Holistic 12-Week BAPS wellNESS Programme, launched by BAPS Charities UK, represents a community-based effort to address health disparities among British South Asians who face elevated risks of diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges. Rooted in lifestyle medicine and influenced by the spiritual guidance of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the programme united science, culture, and spirituality in a trusted, culturally resonant setting at Neasden Temple in London.
The N.E.S.S. Model: A Holistic Framework
The programme operated around four pillars designed to cultivate sustainable, real-world habits:
- Nutrition: Participants explored macro- and micronutrients through cooking demonstrations and meal-planning anchored in a sattvic vegetarian diet.
- Exercise: Weekly group workouts, yoga, and practical strategies for managing pain and integrating movement into daily life.
- Sleep: Emphasis on mindful bedtimes and approaches to sharpen focus, including the role of daily rituals (cheshta).
- Stress: Emotional well-being supported through mindfulness, satsang practices, and peer support networks.
The sessions were delivered by a dedicated team of volunteer healthcare professionals, including GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, physiotherapists, and nutritionists. A total of 41 participants, aged 34 to 61, engaged in in-person, culturally and spiritually contextualized education.
Faith as a Foundation for Health
A central aim of the programme was to show how faith and Satsang can support well-being. Practices such as reciting shlokas before meals to encourage mindful eating, observing spiritual disciplines (niyam dharma), and gradually implementing small, sustainable habit changes inspired by the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and Mahant Swami Maharaj helped participants integrate health goals with their values and daily life.
Measuring Impact: What Changed
Pre- and post-programme assessments demonstrated notable improvements across physical health, mental well-being, lifestyle habits, and community connections:
- Physical health: Reductions in cholesterol, HbA1C (blood glucose), weight, waist circumference, body fat, blood pressure, and resting heart rate.
- Mental well-being: Greater openness about emotional health and a reduction in depressive symptoms.
- Lifestyle habits: Healthier eating patterns, improved hydration, and increased physical activity with improved strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Community connection: Stronger social bonds and peer support networks.
Voices from Participants
Feedback highlighted the programme’s cultural relevance and transformative impact. One participant, Nimisha Patel, explained that conventional health programmes often misaligned with her community’s values, whereas wellNESS built a supportive, values-aligned community. Others spoke about improved balance with neuropathy through daily yoga, the importance of starting health journeys early for children, and the broader mental health benefits that followed structured sessions. Several participants emphasized that the programme’s accessible content and supportive team made long-term commitment feasible.
Looking Ahead: Expanding the Model
The success of this pilot underscores the potential of a culturally sensitive, community-led approach to chronic disease prevention and overall well-being. With evidence of positive outcomes, BAPS Charities plans to scale the wellNESS programme to additional mandirs and communities, extending the reach of holistic health that integrates science, culture, and spirituality to inspire healthier, more balanced lives.
Conclusion
The inaugural 12-week wellNESS programme demonstrates that health improvements can arise when science aligns with cultural and spiritual values. By nurturing nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management within a faith-informed framework, the initiative offers a sustainable blueprint for addressing health disparities among British South Asians and beyond.
