“For more junior dancers, this is when they build their technique, so they’ll put a lot of effort into it. For those getting older like me,” she laughs, “our stamina is more limited, so I’ll put just 25 per cent into the morning because I have to last until 6pm.”

Ageing as a ballet dancer has given Lai, who’ll be turning 33, much to reflect on in terms of her health and the experience she’s gained in the profession.

“You really feel your athletic ability start to decrease after the age of 28. At the same time, your artistry and mastery of how to deliver a good performance only improves,” Lai explains. “Of course, injuries are part of the job.

“I don’t expect to leave the profession with a fully healthy body – it’s hard to avoid issues like muscle overuse. Therefore, it’s important to support your health by paying attention to nutrition, going to physiotherapy and getting sufficient rest.”

Having also sustained a back injury at one point in her career, maintaining her wellbeing, as well as her passion and ability to dance, is always top of her mind. To do all that, having sufficient resources is important.

A team of in-house physiotherapists look after the dancers’ physical condition, though limited space at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre studios means dancers sometimes have to trek to Central or Wong Chuk Hang to get treated.

Lai rested for around a month while recovering from her injury, but that didn’t simply mean lying down at home. She still needed to do daily exercises to retain stamina, making the transition back to dance smoother.

After her injury, Lai began paying more attention to other aspects of her health, such as diet. She visited a nutritionist, who recommended her a diet higher in protein. So now, particularly in the leadup to a performance, she turns to foods like chicken breast and protein shakes, and says she has noticed the difference it makes for both her energy and recovery.