Social Education Voluntary Association (SEVA) Trust UK, a Bedford based charity, working for the betterment of education, health and environment organised a health and yoga awareness workshop at Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara & Community Centre in Kempston, Bedford. It was conducted in co-ordination with the University of Bedfordshire and focused on heart disease and diabetes risk in the South Asian community and the benefits of yoga.
SEVA Trust youth group volunteer and a trainee Pharmacist Arpan Sekhon hosted the session. Dr Daniel Bailey (Senior Lecturer in Health, Nutrition and Exercise – Bedfordshire University) who is involved in various health-related studies and his research student Kamalesh Dey shared the evidence of major health issues faced by the South Asian communities. They presented details of a research project which relates to the effects of very small amount of light exercise (just a few minutes every half an hour) on reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels which could reduce heart disease and diabetes risks.
Dr Baily explained that this study is the first of its kind in the UK being undertaken specifically within the South Asian community. PYPT trained yoga teacher Charan Sekhon led a taster yoga session covering the breathing exercises and their benefits on stress, anxiety, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. He explained that anyone who wants to learn or practice yoga can join in the community yoga classes held at the temple every Wednesday 6.30 to 7.30pm. The session was attended by a large number of Bedford residents who agreed to take part in this major research program that involves health monitoring and gathering data on the impact of light but regular exercise. The Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) Secretary Parmjit Singh Sohal thanked the organisers and the attendees. He said the Temple committee always supports health related activities and awareness that can benefit the local communities. Deputy Mayor of Kempston Town Clllr Sam Blacklaws attended the event and said ‘Kemspton Town Council always welcome and support community health awareness initiatives.’
