An Inspired Chat with Zippora Karz of Los Angeles

We recently had the chance to connect with Zippora Karz and have shared our conversation below.

Zippora, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
playing with my cat. She always makes me laugh and I tend to forget about whatever I’m stressing or planning about.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Zippora Karz. I am a former soloist ballerina with the NYC Ballet. Today I am a teacher and coach for dancers. I am a repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust. That means I stage Balanchine ballets- the genius choreographer- for companies, schools and Universities around the globe.
I have also written a memoir- The Sugarless Plum- and a children’s story- Ballerina Dreams- sharing my story of living my dream with Type 1 diabetes.

After my diagnosis my journey became a search for how to best balance my health and still live my dream and passion to dance with the NYC Ballet.
Today I continue to teach locally in Los Angeles as well as my travel for my work with the George Balanchine Trust. My personal life focus is on all aspects of health: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Once we have our health we can better support our bodies to live our fullest potential.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I had a temper as a young child. When I was having a tantrum- which I had quite often – or a version of one- my grandfather would refer to me as “The good Zippora” and the “the bad Zippora.” The family joke became as a gemini I had 2 personalities.
When we went to my grandparents home as we went to enter- behind the closed door he would ask, ” Is it the Good Zippora? Or the bad Zippora?”
I would get filled with anger at the assumption I was bad and refuse to enter.

My grandfather was an incredible person. I loved and respected him very much. While He was just trying to motivate me to be better in the way his generation was raised, I felt misunderstood. I resented having to pretend to be something I was not.
Today, I have a different perspective on behavior- good and bad. Reactions and feelings are ok. It’s how we process them, work with them, and allow them to evolve. Today I do not see myself as the “good” or “bad” Zippora. I try to allow my reactions to find a safe place of expression and to find acceptance for myself.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Dancing was my life. I loved it with all my heart. After my diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes- I never felt I reached my original potential as a dancer. While I did rise to soloist with the NYC Ballet, there were many years of suffering on a physical level as well as mental and emotional. I felt shame and I blamed myself and my body for failing.

It was only many years later when I started to teach and become more vocal about what I went through that I began to rethink the way I viewed what happened to me. Others seemed to have great respect for what i went through and persevered through. I was asked to teach and share my story to students and professionals. I was also asked to share my story to countless diabetes organizations with thousands of persons with diabetes. The more i shared my story the more i was able to have great compassion for my struggles and my perseverance.

What had been my deepest shame- was actually something i came to feel respected for. The way I handled my suffering seemed to gain respect from others. In the end the relationships i have with people are what i value above all else. And their admiration of me helped me gain appreciation for myself.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
My childhood dream was to see an end to factory farming. Long before I fell in love with dance i was a passionate animal rights advocate. As i matured and my life took its path I didn’y see an avenue to be influential to make changes for the animals.
Then-through my struggles with my health and finding the healthiest way to eat for my condition and lifestyle- I found my dream for animals rights collided with my dream for health.

The health of the animal is our health. if we eat diseased animals- ones that have antibiotics and hormones in them to fatten them up. That affects our health.
In my lifetime i truly hope this can end.

I will always seek ways to support this issue.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Being with family, friends, and animals. And i like Time.
When I have time. I don’t like feeling rushed or late. For example before I have a big trip for work. I’m always hectic the days before making sure i have all my diabetes supplies- all the things I need for my trip- preparing to teach an entire ballet. I like to have plenty of time to prepare. I like to have time to be with my loved ones and animals. I like to smell the roses.

Contact Info:

• Website: zipporakarz,com
• Instagram: Zippora Karz
• Facebook: Zippora Karz