A Bermudian carnival band has collaborated with health professionals across the island to promote good health.

Nirvana Mas, who describe themselves as not only a carnival band, but also a lifestyle movement, created the The Nirvana Wellness Programme.

This programme is a collaboration of professional entities coming together to support a healthier Bermuda.

Yvonne Cacace, is the sole owner of Nirvana Mas, along with directors Andre Esdaille and Francesca Cacace.

Ms Cacace said that their motto is to prevent diseases rather than cure them.

Nirvana Mas joined forces with Alexander Dill, a local health coach. Mr Dill will assess each individual’s need, perform weigh-ins, discuss and test food sensitivities, and provide customised health coaching for individuals.

“Nirvana and I, along with other health and fitness professionals, have teamed up to create a wonderful wellness programme that gives people the opportunity to get fit and healthy in a hassle-free way,” Mr Dill said.

“We offer multiple components which include fitness, prepared meals as well as health and lifestyle coaching, which is where I come in.

“As a health and lifestyle coach, my goal is to keep people on track and help them overcome and manage life’s many obstacles that often get in the way of them reaching and maintaining their health goals.

“Often times it is difficult trying to reach a certain health goal on your own, but with the help of a health coach to hold you accountable, educate and guide you, you see much better outcomes. I’m happy to be apart of this initiative and looking forward to helping those who want ‘sustainable’ results,” he added.

The wellness programme will also offer personalised meals that will be prepared by restaurants under the Little Venice Group which include, L’Oriental, Harbourfront, La Trattoria and Little Venice.

The menu will be following a strict ketogenic meal plan. This diet comprises low carbohydrate and high fat which allows the body to produce ketones in the liver to be used as energy.

The diet was constructed by Stanley James, owner of Premier Health and Wellness Centre located on King Street.

“We at Premier Health and Wellness Centre introduced the Diabetes Reversal Programme which is a one-year-long programme providing education and supervision and group support,” Dr James said.

“Initially we noticed that despite being on the programme some people were not successful. I realised that if we can get foods prepared for people then we have overcome a major barrier for people who need to reverse diseases, lose weight and prevent themselves from having the consequences of these diseases.”

Dr James stressed that this diet is scientifically proven to reverse diseases.

In addition, Nirvana Mas has also teamed up with Vida Medical Spa which provides a skin care line created by Zein Obagi.

Dr Obagi created the ZO Skin Health Multidisciplinary faculty, comprising plastic surgery, dermatology and aesthetic medicine.

They will be supporting the wellness programme with a medically approved sun block which was also provided to the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team.

“We just want people to make sure they are aware of their skin while spending long hours in the sun,” Alaire Godfrey, managing director of Vida Spa, said.

Fitness trainer Bertha Griffin will also contribute to the programme by holding strong by Zumba classes. These classes will be three days a week at the BHS gymnasium.

The sign up dates to enrol in the Nirvana Wellness Programme are April 29, May 27, June 24, July 29 and August 26.

• For more information on the programme e-mail Nirvanabda@gmail.com or visit http://www.nirvanabda.com