About
My Story: A Journey of Reinvention & Inspiration
Hello! I’m Laura Zohar LeRoy, and my life has been a series of reinventions – from the glittering world of fashion to the mesmerizing art of belly dance, and now to the vital realm of senior wellness. I’m excited to share my journey with you and how it led me to my current passion: helping seniors like you live their best lives.
Zohar Teaching Belly Dance 2024, age 74
From Fashion to Dance: The Early Years
As a young woman, I dreamed of a career in fashion design, modeling, or dance. Life had other plans, and as a teenage mother, I chose to focus on fashion design. This decision led me to work with Bill Blass, a worldrenowned figure in American fashion history. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my journey.
At the age of 30, on the advice of an intuitive friend, I took a birthday cruise which changed the course of my life. Witnessing a belly dance performance onboard the SS Oceanic ignited a new passion in me. I told the crew I would be back as the belly dancer and within nine months, I transformed myself from an overweight, out-of-shape woman into a dazzling and glamorous entertainer and was hired as the ship’s belly dance entertainment for a cruise. Little did I know that this unexpected passion for belly dance would blossom into a vibrant 25-year career as a professional dancer.
Zohar Snake Charming 1984, age 34
Living the Dream: My Dance Career
For the next 25 years, I lived my dream of being a dancer, model, and designer all at once. I performed for the rich and famous, including David Rockefeller, Saudi Arabian royalty, and celebrities like Lionel Ritchie, Prince and Meryl Streep. My career expanded into producing Arabian Nights and Moroccan themed events across the US for over 40 years including events such as the Rolls Royce Indy 500 event, The Phoenix Opera Charity Ball and Giorgio Armani’s perfume launch in NYC.
David Rockefeller & Brooke Astor Co-Hosted New York’s
most celebrated social event ushering in 2000.Their Millennial Ball
with Zohar and troupe was covered by the New York Times
Zohar & The Aladdin Dancers
Opened for Lionel Ritchie at a Fundraising Event in PA
Warner Bros International Gala in Burbank CA
featuring Zohar performing an Isis dance along with her troupe
including a whirling dervish and sword swallower.
While my dance career was thriving, I felt a deep desire to share my passion and knowledge with others, especially those who could benefit most from the joy and vitality of dance.
Giving Back: A Lifelong Commitment
Throughout my career, I never forgot the importance of giving back. I taught aspiring young women to belly dance, many of whom became professionals themselves. I also entertained at senior centers, assisted living centers, and retirement homes with my students, bringing joy and vitality to older adults. As I witnessed the transformative power of dance in various communities, I was inspired to reach an even wider audience with a message of holistic wellness.
Pioneering Holistic Wellness Through Media
In 1984, recognizing the holistic healing benefits of belly dance, I started a Cable TV show featuring segments on health, fitness & beauty. The show included demonstrations, interviews, and visits with doctors, dancers, and beauty specialists. This venture was ahead of its time, as holistic health was just beginning to gain mainstream acceptance:
- 1975: The first National Conference on Holistic Health was held in California
- 1978: The American Holistic Medical Association (AHMA) was formed
- 1996: The American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine (ABIHM) was founded
My passion for holistic health was nurtured by my family’s medical background. My father and husband were both traditional medical doctors, while my sister and best friend became nurses. My mother’s background as a medical research scientist inspired my love for medical research. This environment laid the foundation for my interest in finding alternative paths to preserving our health as we age.
In the News
My dedication to holistic wellness and innovative approaches to health gained significant attention over the years. The New York Times profiled my work with seniors, highlighting the impact of dance and holistic practices on older adults’ well-being. This recognition, along with numerous other press features, underscored the growing acceptance and importance of holistic health approaches.
Click Here: To Explore More Press Coverage Of My Journey In Holistic Wellness And Dance
Community Involvement
My passion for performance and wellness extends into diverse community settings, where I bring uplifting and transformative experiences to people of all ages. As a featured performer and wellness advocate, I contribute my artistry and expertise to a wide array of events – from ceremonial gatherings and houses of worship to art festivals and cultural celebrations. Often performing at no charge or reduced rates for non-profit organizations, I strive to enrich community life through dance, education, and inspirational presentations.
This commitment to community enrichment manifests in various forms:
Peace Advocacy: In 2003, I had the honor of wearing the International Peace Belt, a powerful symbol of global harmony crafted from coins representing countries worldwide. This unique artifact has traveled to 29 nations and nearly every U.S. state, embodying cross-cultural understanding. One of my most memorable experiences was dancing with the belt at a prestigious art show in New Haven, Connecticut. This performance blended artistry with a commitment to international cooperation, using dance as a universal language for peace.
Birth 2012 Tucson Event: I participated in this gathering to welcome a new era of global cooperation and consciousness. At this ceremonial event, I performed to didgeridoo music. A co-presenter at the event was Dr. Gladys McGarey, the “mother of holistic medicine” and founder of the American Holistic Medicine Association, who shared her decades of visionary wisdom, championing a more powerful approach to healing. Our collaboration at Birth 2012 Tucson symbolized the intersection of holistic health, artistic expression, and collective aspiration for a better world.
My dedication to fostering spiritual connections through dance extends to various houses of worship, where I have offered sacred performances that honor diverse traditions:
- Dancing the Shekinah: Celebrating the Divine Feminine at Jewish Temple Ruach Hamidbar
- Sister of the Holy Names 70th Birthday Celebration: Joyful movement at Roman Catholic Holy Names Campus
- Christmas Angel: Embodying the Spirit of the Season
- Spirit Dance: A Universal Expression of Faith and Unity
These performances and workshops aim to foster joy, vitality, and cross-cultural understanding, creating moments of beauty and reflection that resonate deeply with audiences. Each presentation, whether in a sacred space or community gathering, is a living testament to the enduring power of dance as a medium for cultural expression, spiritual connection, and holistic well-being.
Through these diverse engagements, I seek to weave a tapestry of shared experiences that uplift, heal, and unite our community, demonstrating the transformative potential of movement and mindfulness in our daily lives.
Embracing a New Chapter: Senior Wellness Advocate
As I entered my 60s, I faced challenges common to many older adults. Drawing on my lifelong experience of staying active and vibrant through dance, I saw an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of seniors like myself.
During the 2020 pandemic, I immersed myself in cutting-edge health research, with a particular focus on addressing common age-related challenges. This deep dive not only reignited my passion for health education but also inspired the creation of InVigorAging, a platform dedicated to empowering older adults to live vibrant, healthy lives.
Today, in my mid 70’s, I’m revisiting my earlier media endeavors, creating similar content for social media platforms including YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Armed with my life experiences and an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certification as a Senior Fitness Specialist, I’m dedicated to helping older adults navigate the challenges of aging.
It’s a beautiful irony that after all these years, I’m combining my creative talents with ways to help seniors enhance their health naturally, aiming to prevent the need for traditional medical interventions due to chronic disease and frailty. My mission is to share the knowledge and practices that have made my own aging process successful and fulfilling. This new chapter in my life crystallized into a clear mission: to redefine aging as a time of growth and vitality.
My Mission
Enabling Older Adults to Live a Vibrant Life
Enhancing Holistic Senior Wellness: Body, Mind & Spirit
I believe that aging is not about decline, but about continuing to grow, learn, and thrive. My goal is to inspire and empower you to live your best life by:
- Sharing the latest research on health and wellness for seniors
- Providing practical tips for maintaining mobility and vitality
- Offering guidance on navigating the emotional and social aspects of aging
- Inspiring you to pursue new passions and reinvent yourself at any age
While my mission drives me forward, it’s the impact on individuals that truly tells the story of this work.
What Others Say
Throughout my journey, I’ve had the privilege of touching many lives, and the impact is best reflected in the words of those who have experienced it firsthand. Senior programming professionals, event organizers, and students have shared their experiences and insights about our time together. Their testimonials offer a window into the transformative power of movement, holistic wellness, and joyful living at any age.
I’m honored to share their words with you. Click Here: To Read Testimonials From Senior Programming Professionals, Event Organizers, And Students.
These words of appreciation reinforce my commitment to enhancing the quality of life for older adults. They serve as a constant reminder of why I dedicate myself to this path.
I invite you to explore these stories and consider how you might incorporate elements of vibrant, healthy aging into your own life or community.
Join Me on This Journey
Whether you’re looking to enhance your quality of life or you’re passionate about senior wellness, I invite you to join our community. Together, we can redefine aging as a time of continued growth, vitality, and fulfillment.
Stay Informed and Inspired! Sign up now for our newsletter to receive:
- Exclusive wellness tips
- Early access to new programs
- Special offers for our community members
Join our community and get notifications of new blog posts
Fill out the form to get emails or text or both
Join the List
Join our community and get notifications of new blog posts
Fill out the form to get emails or text or both
Your peace of mind matters: We respect your inbox and will never share your information. Enjoy periodic updates filled with useful content and practical tips.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Your well-being is our priority. Before beginning any new exercise or wellness program, please consult with your doctor or healthcare professional.
