By Shruti Menon Seeboo
Nirupama Anand’s journey is a captivating tapestry, woven with threads of global experience and intellectual curiosity. From her early years spent navigating the world aboard a merchant ship to her academic pursuits in molecular genetics and neuroscience in the UK, her life has been a testament to the power of diverse influences. It was in the vibrant streets of her childhood home, Hong Kong, that her love for dance first blossomed, a passion that would later intertwine with her scientific mind.
Now, residing in Mauritius after a life lived across continents, Nirupama has cultivated a unique space within the island’s fitness landscape, where the vibrant rhythms of Bollywood dance meet the transformative power of holistic well-being. Through BollyFIT, she’s not merely offering a workout; she’s fostering a community, a sanctuary where women of all ages and backgrounds can discover joy, strength, and a deeper connection to their bodies.
In a world often dominated by rigid fitness regimes, Nirupama’s approach, shaped by her fascinating journey and a profound understanding of the mind-body connection, is refreshingly human, prioritising mental and emotional well-being alongside physical health. This interview explores the core principles of BollyFIT, delving into how it addresses the evolving needs of women and redefines the very essence of fitness.
1. BollyFIT uniquely blends dance and fitness, creating a joyful experience. With the ACSM identifying mental health as a top fitness trend for the second year, how do you see the intrinsic joy of dance contributing to overall mental well-being? How does BollyFIT specifically address the ‘whole-person approach’ to fitness?
The BollyFIT philosophy is that joy has the power to heal and transform us from within. We believe everybody can dance, and we simply nurture the capacity and means for this to unfold. Our focus is on women being honoured with the space to be free of judgement – with time dedicated to simply engaging in something they love, that is good for them, with others who also love it.
Research has shown that conscious dancing releases a concoction of “happy chemicals” -dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin – that help alleviate stress, provide pain-relief, and increase feelings of well-being. At the same time, the physical activity boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), which enhance brain function and neuroplasticity: making us happier, sharper, and stronger.
Beyond that, dance helps to release stored trauma and shifts us from a state of fear and anxiety into one of presence and peace. The whole-person approach in BollyFIT integrates physical movement, emotional expression, and social connection. As women rise up to the challenge of learning new routines and ways to move, they build not just strength, but mind-body-spirit confidence, a key pillar for mental well-being.
Dancing demands your full awareness in the now, bringing in playfulness, a sense of accomplishment, and tonnes of laughter as we all rise up to the challenge of learning new routines and overcoming our limitations. This fosters a real sense of bonding and belonging which is vital for our mental health.
2. The ACSM report emphasises the importance of ‘fostering resilience for the mind.’ In your experience, how does the rhythmic and expressive nature of BollyFIT help women build mental resilience, particularly in navigating the daily stresses of life?
BollyFIT helps to empower the relationship between our own mind and body connection, which arguably, is the basis for every other healthy relationship we may hold. Conscious movement is medicine, and dance is the magic pill!
From a neuroscience perspective, dance combined with music activates the brain’s reward system, enhancing motivation and perseverance. There is an internal and external attunement of the mind and body that fosters a meditative state, allowing our brains to actually rest and anchor our whole self in the present. With this mindfulness, as we move through different rhythms and routines, we improve cognitive flexibility, physical coordination, and emotional regulation. We gain a real sense of self-belief and joy in being, creating healthy resilience in our daily lives.
BollyFIT provides a place to gather that has been lost to women in recent generations. It welcomes all women, from every background and multiple generations, to come together for a glorious 75 mins to care only for themselves, their health, and their happiness – just as they are. Relationships are built, problems and joys are shared, and support is offered on multiple levels – all the things that happen organically where women feel emotionally safe enough to shift out of anxiety and burdens, and into play and rest. It not just refuels us but elevates us.
The number one feedback we receive is how happy women feel as they leave the classes which directly carries over into the rest of their week. They are able to pour from full cups.
3. Many women face body image challenges. How does BollyFIT, with its focus on celebrating movement and joy, help shift the mindset away from purely aesthetic goals towards a deeper appreciation for physical capability and well-being?
Studies show that women who engage in joyful movement are more likely to sustain active lifestyles. BollyFIT redefines fitness by focusing on how wonderful movement feels. With the Bollywood inspired moves, women start seeing their femininity as the creative, sensual, powerful force it is. We begin and end every class with a calm reconnection and appreciation of our one true home – our bodies – and together in every class we celebrate joy in movement, progress over perfection, and our mind-body capacity to learn and create, starting from wherever we arrive.
The best predictors of longevity are strength, balance and mobility. We actively prioritise these not just through dance, but with core and functional exercises, re-education on correct posture and muscle engagement, and stepping safely outside of our current comfort zones.
We start looking and moving better BECAUSE we feel better. Weight loss and toning are all inevitable products of a healthy lifestyle, and BollyFIT women truly learn to appreciate their minds and bodies for what they can achieve progressively.
4. Behaviour change and mindset are critical components of a ‘whole-person approach’ to fitness. What strategies do you employ in BollyFIT to help women sustain their fitness journey and make positive lifestyle changes beyond just the physical workout?
Sustainable change begins with education and self-regulation. At BollyFIT, we take a holistic approach by integrating proper muscle engagement, mindful movement, and functional exercises that help women move better and feel stronger. We humanise the process of learning, recognising different strengths and celebrate progress.
There are adjustments offered for all abilities as well as for daily ups and downs in a woman’s day. The ladies often feedback that even though they had rough days, they knew that showing up to class would help them with what they need without pressure to show up as their best selves.
Additionally, we empower women with tools to support their health beyond the studio. Breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness practices help women regulate stress and emotions, while our open forum on nutrition, hydration, hormone cycle support, and sleep helps foster a balanced lifestyle. This helps women build a sustainable relationship with fitness and fall in love with what healthy feels like.
Because they are well informed, consistent, supported, and leave better than when they arrived, the benefits run deep and well beyond the 75 minutes. For this reason, our hashtag has always been #danceandmuchmore.
5. As a founder and leader in the fitness space, what key trends are you observing in how women are redefining their relationship with fitness? How do you see BollyFIT evolving to meet these changing needs?
Women, of all ages, are reclaiming their right and responsibility to prioritise their health and wellbeing without guilt. They are no longer waiting until there is a problem to start their wellbeing and fitness journeys or ‘a better time’ because of the demands of their responsibilities. They realise that pouring from a full cup is the only healthy way to ‘relationship’ and they are making it happen. They are showing up with friends, colleagues, sister-in-laws, daughters, and it is truly inspiring.
Women are happier in their skin. The focus is shifting away from slim to a celebration of a holistic well-being, mental health, and functional strength. This is a direct impact of the focus shifting to a whole person approach. They want to feel good in their skin, to have a good quality of life for as long as possible, to be good role models for their loved ones, and they are open to re-education and healing. This applies to women of all ages. I’m seeing more women in their late 50s and 60s joining my classes and doing everything the 20-year-olds are doing without self-deprecation. This is a huge change from just a few years ago where women felt they were over the hill in their mid-40s, and it was normal to live with aches and pains.
Another trend is women are not accepting to be shamed for being fully aware of the powerful use of their bodies. There is no shame in movement used to emote music. It involves being strong, creative, fully present, and alive in the movements, not keeping us small, demure, and hidden. Maturer women are really reclaiming this, and it is inspiring the younger generations.
BollyFIT is evolving by offering even more inclusive workshops, like BollyGLOW and BollyFLOW, which combine the wisdom of yoga, somatic therapy, and dance for deeper healing and mind-body connection. Additionally, we’ll continue to offer more online access, so women can enjoy the benefits of joyful movement wherever they are. The future is about community, empowerment, and holistic well-being, and BollyFIT is right there in the middle of it, providing support and joy along the way.
6. The ACSM report highlights the need for ‘quality exercise programming.’ How do you ensure that BollyFIT, while being fun and engaging, also delivers effective and safe workouts for women of diverse fitness levels?
We recognise that fitness is multifaceted, and our design reflects that. Dance and fitness are about progressive gains, and we ensure that the process whilst remaining joyful, inclusive, and empowering, is rooted in correct engagement and alignment.
Our approach allows women to work at their own pace, while gradually increasing their strength, balance, and mobility. We provide clear instructions and offer modifications for different fitness levels, ensuring that each participant feels supported and appropriately challenged.
Safety is a top priority, so we regularly encourage self-awareness and self-regulation, empowering women to listen to their bodies, take breaks when needed, and adjust the intensity according to how they’re feeling that day.
BollyFIT is not about achieving perfection; it’s about progress and self-care. We integrate dance, cardio, and strength training in a way that promotes overall fitness, while always ensuring it’s accessible, sustainable, and most importantly, engaging.
7. For women who are hesitant to start a fitness journey, especially those who may feel intimidated by traditional gym environments, what message would you like to share about the welcoming and empowering community that BollyFIT offers?
BollyFIT is designed to welcome you as you are and support you as you need. Ultimately, we wish to encourage more women to choose their journey into optimal full mind-body health and we know that BollyFIT can be integral in that.
We believe that fitness should be a lifestyle, empowering, joy-inducing, and better when we can lift each other up along the way. Our community is built on the principles of acceptance, connection, and love. Instead of focusing on aesthetics or performance, we focus on creating the space to celebrate all the wonderful things your mind and body can do whilst growing stronger and healthier.
The best compliment we have ever received is, “Thanks to BollyFIT, I found home in my body!” A return to your best self, with support for the best that is yet to come, is our purpose.
