Important things can take time.
For Adelle, NAISDA Wellbeing Officer, a significant campus space has been a few years in the making. A Wellbeing Room.
In a full-time learning environment, where students train together, spend long days in the studios five days a week, and after class, live together in shared accommodation, it’s not always easy to find a moment to stop, breathe, or just be.
We often take for granted having somewhere to go when you need a quiet space. Adelle has recognised this need for students for a long time. And now, it’s here.
From the room’s cushions and colours to the scents and lighting, every detail has been chosen with care to create a space that feels safe, calm and welcoming.
We sat down with Adelle to talk about why this matters, not just day to day, but why it is such an important part of NAISDA’s long-term vision.
What does Wellbeing look like at NAISDA?
“It’s about the whole person. It’s physical, mental, emotional, cultural, everything.”
Wellbeing looks like connection. To yourself, each other, and Country.
We base our approach on a First Nations understanding of Wellbeing. This recognises the importance of connection to Country, Culture, Spirituality, Ancestry, Family and Community. These are all interconnected and intertwined. Our shared experiences and connections shape us as individuals and as communities.
We’re asking a lot of our students. They’re training hard, living away from home, and growing in all kinds of ways. Intentional spaces like the Wellbeing Room encourage students to stay grounded in who they are and where they come from.
Students are supported and trained to care for their bodies through movement, recovery, nutrition and practices like Pilates, and we spend just as much time supporting and nurturing mental and emotional health.
Can you tell us about the new Wellbeing Space and what students can expect?
The Wellbeing Space brings together the Pilates Studio and the Wellbeing Room to support students in that holistic way.
The Pilates Studio has state-of-the-art equipment and is a dedicated space for physical wellbeing. Students can focus on strength, alignment, recovery and body conditioning, whether they’re rehabilitating, building strength or simply taking time to care for their bodies.
In contrast, the Wellbeing Room is a quieter, more reflective space. It’s somewhere students can decompress, regulate their emotions, or take a break when things start to feel overwhelming.
It includes comfortable seating, soft lighting, books, and access to tools and a professional team of people that support grounding, reflection and self-care.
I really wanted the décor to draw on tones and colours that reflect Country, blues, greens and earthy browns, creating a calm, natural atmosphere and a sense of belonging. I’ve also taken time to think about things like aromatherapy spray mists, with beautiful scents of Country and natural ingredients.
Again, it’s about how we support not just calm, but important feelings of confidence, optimism, creativity, self-belief, renewal, unity and success.
Why is having a space like this so important?
Having a dedicated Wellbeing Space is so important as it allows students to prioritise themselves, not just as dancers, but as a whole person.
Training at NAISDA is physically demanding and emotionally intense. Students can easily become overwhelmed or disconnected from their needs. This dedicated space creates a clear sign that wellbeing matters just as much as every other part of their learning and performance.
Each student journey is different. They come with their own experiences, challenges and cultural connections.
I hope this space allows for reflection, respect and connection to navigate those journeys.
How does this connect to NAISDA’s bigger vision (barayi badhang) and supporting strong lives?
I think Barayi Badhang is about strength in life, and for life. This includes self-awareness, cultural connection, emotional resilience and physical health.
The Wellbeing Space supports this by giving students tools, spaces and practices to care for themselves, manage challenges and maintain balance.
I hope it shows that success is measured not just in performance or course results, but in our ability to live fully, adapt and grow, to be confident, capable and culturally connected people.
I think when we talk about Strong Lives, it’s about what happens on and off stage as well as our life within and beyond NAISDA. That’s where the real impact of our vision and purpose is.”