The dance team at Lake Nona’s Chace Dance Company is hard at work nearly every day of the week putting in the time it takes to compete at an elite level. The award-winning dance team made up of dancers ranging in age from 6 to 16 have been competing for nearly a year and putting in hours of practice each day.
In early February, this hard-working team took some time out to better understand how to take care of themselves as a whole person at the first Chace Healthy Dancer Day.
Several Lake Nona residents versed in different areas of expertise came together to offer one-on-one advice and tips to the group. The dancers rotated through several stations exploring different areas of health and well-being.
Dr. Vonda Wright, Lake Nona orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, spoke to the group about preventing injuries and understanding the importance of strength training. The studio’s owner, Tamra Chace, had a recent ACL surgery with Dr. Wright and felt it important for the doctor to share ways to prevent injury. Dr. Wright has worked with dancers and athletes for many years and had much knowledge to share.
Kayla Torres, health and wellness coach, was on hand walking dancers through food choices for pre- and post-rehearsal and practice.
Kaylin Luu, LCSW, led dancers through a guided meditation and talked on the importance of mental health.
Kimberly Burke, RN, spoke to the group about the importance of sleep and how it affects all parts of your overall well-being. The dancers were able to have a better understanding around the impact sleep has on mind, body, soul, spirit and performance.
Healthy Family Project managing director Amanda Keefer is a Lake Nona resident and was excited to bring her blender to the event to blend healthy smoothies for the dancers to sample. The goal was to showcase that these kids can make easy smoothies on their own at home and many other foods that fuel a healthy body.
“At Chace, we put great emphasis on the whole dancer and recognize everyone is facing different challenges on a day-to-day basis,” said Tamra Chace, owner. “Our dancers need to feel good physically, mentally and know they are supported in order to perform and compete.”
After spending time at each health and wellness station, each dancer went home with a bag full of health and wellness materials from speakers and sponsors to share with their families.
Local organizations sponsoring the event included Hughston Clinic, Lake Nona Performance Center, Mom Pros, Peter Luu, Signature Group Premiere Luxury, exp Realty, and Healthy Family Project.
