“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” ~ George Smith Patton
This weekend I began my yoga teacher training. After 16 hours over two days, my body is drained and sore, and my mind is full, in a good way. I gave my best at every moment. My mind expanded. Emotions long-buried surfaced in ways that surprised me. This is progress.
Sonic Yoga, where I am doing my training, is a classic Vinyasa studio with a relaxed, fun feel. The answer to every question is “it depends”. We are all treated as individuals, unique in our abilities to give and receive, unique in our needs and wants. And Sonic Yoga honors that individuality.
In our two hour practice this morning, our instructor, Jeffrey, said something during the midpoint of a particularly challenging pose for me. “Dance on the very edge of your practice.” That idea sat with me as I twisted more deeply into Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose). It’s out on the edge, on the very fringe of our existence and our abilities, that we find out what we’re really made of. It’s when we are pushed to our limits, physically, emotionally, and spirituality, that we hear those life-altering truths that are so hard to hear amidst the hubbub of our every day existence.
Jeffrey got the best from all of us, 22 women strong, not by telling us what to do but by telling us the destination. Go to the edge, just a little further than you ever thought possible. That edge will be different for all of us, but the intention is the same. Go out there and live, really live. Whether than means twisting more deeply into a pose, taking on a job that seems a bit beyond our abilities, or chasing a dream that seems just out of reach, it’s amazing what we can achieve if only we focus and extend and keep aiming for the edge. Our own ingenuity never ceases to surprise and delight.
The image above is not my own but it sure makes me laugh. It can be found here.
Published by Christa Avampato
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” ~ George Smith Patton 
Christa:
This is a great post, as usual. Please keep on writing and sharing. Your life is an inspiration. We feel grateful.
In my case, I wanted to start a new work-out program.
So, I started to read the literature, and decided to go for a long walk every day.
It was challenging. It was something new for me, so there were aches and pains all over my body. Ouch! I found it hard even to get out of bed, the next day, in the morning.
If you are patient with yourself, it works out in the end. That has been my learning experience. It takes a while for the body to adjust to a new routine. If you give yourself time, however, your body will adjust. At least this has been my experience, over time. Now I am good to go.
I think the daily practice of yoga will benefit your life. A total harmony of mind, body and spirit. Happy to know it is working out for you. And it will only get better from now onwards, so best wishes to you. And cheers to your life!
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Love this! I feel like printing this out on my wall. So proud of you and I hope I can join you soon in this amazing practice!
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Hi Dearest! Come on along. My body is seriously aching in muscles I never knew I had, but I think once I complete the training it will all be more than worth it!
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was just about to email you about your yoga training, when I picked this blog up. So glad it went so well.
I guess in business terms it can be said to “stay on the cutting edge”? It’s a good place to be – where you set your own boundary, and then push beyond – like the settlers in the old American West.
And the fish reminds me of the one in Dr. Seuss!
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It does remind me of Dr. Seuss, Mom 🙂
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Christa, great post. This reminds me of what one of my senior told me “Go beyond expected to experience the true delight in your work”. Talking of Yoga, I hope I too start soon :).
How is life otherwise?
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Hi Sumit! I love that quote. 🙂 Everything is life is great – loving my new job and very excited about this yoga training. Spring is heading our way in short order – I’m looking forward to seeing some green and feeling the warmer weather. How’s everything with you?
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CR – you inspire me!
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It is people like you, my dear friend, who keep me striving for ingenuity 🙂
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