Tamara Dyke-Compton
Associate Professor
School of Dance
Photo courtesy Tamara Dyke-Compton
As a Wellness Ambassador, I have been committed to fostering a culture of well-being within the School of Dance by implementing initiatives that encourage mindfulness, movement, and community support. Recognizing the physical and mental demands placed on dancers, faculty, and staff, I have introduced several 30-day challenges to promote simple yet impactful wellness habits. These include the Take a Deep Breath Challenge, Fresh Air Challenge, Stand on the Hour Challenge, and Eat Mindfully Challenge, all designed to encourage self-care, stress relief, and awareness of daily habits. Additionally, I have partnered with Move Arizona, forming a wellness team within the School of Dance. I have also shared resources on heart health, suicide prevention, and overall well-being with our faculty and staff.
Beyond these challenges, I have also initiated with my colleagues a Good Deeds Box, where students, faculty, and staff can recognize acts of kindness within our community. Each month, we draw a name from the box to highlight and reward positive contributions, reinforcing a supportive and uplifting environment. Through these efforts, I hope to create lasting wellness habits that extend beyond our professional lives into our daily routines.
I have also sought professional development opportunities to expand my knowledge of wellness, particularly through my work in mindfulness and positive psychology. My ongoing research, including my textbook, The Mindful Dancer, which I am co-authoring with Kristin Miller, further informs my approach to integrating wellness into academia and the arts.
One of my colleagues recently shared, "Your wellness challenges have given me the small reminders to pause and take care of myself throughout the day." Knowing that these initiatives are making a difference in the well-being of those around me continues to fuel my passion for this work.