Healthy Moves is a 7-month project from March to August 2025, empowering Harrow’s community, particularly those of South Asian origin, to combat diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges by offering workshops that combine physical fitness through dance with the wisdom of healthy Indian cooking.
The workshops are funded by Harrow Giving and are taking place at Srishti’s studio at Harrow Arts Centre. A total of 40 sessions are being delivered, split into four 5-day courses, each offering two workshop slots per day.
Led by Chef Monisha Bharadwaj, who runs one of the UK’s top Indian cookery schools Cooking With Monisha, and is also a trained classical Indian dancer, the workshops include interactive talks on healthy cooking methods along with fun dance sessions. These workshops help participants learn how to fuel their bodies with nutrient-rich, flavourful Indian cuisine while experiencing the joy and energy of Indian dancing.
The project focuses on the South Asian community where high levels of deprivation and low-income households exist. Despite widespread awareness efforts by GP surgeries, barriers such as cultural stigma, language challenges, and conflicting work schedules hinder access to mainstream health services, leaving this community underserved and at high risk. By targeting these specific communities, Healthy Moves addresses the unique challenges they face and works to reduce health disparities effectively.
“I really enjoyed the friendly and engaging atmosphere. The content was very useful, and I gained valuable insights into healthy eating choices while also learning how to dance.”