In tonight’s yoga class, we practiced, taught, and learned the anatomy of back bends, the class of poses that ask us to open our hearts, to be vulnerable, to give, and to receive. They can be frightening poses for some and fully liberating for others. Thanks to my work with Brian and my desire to be open to possibility, back bends are a natural part of my practice and my life. I have worked hard to find comfort in discomfort, to feel at home far, far away.
To help the class capture the essence of back bends, my teacher, Jeffrey, helped us make word banks for Purvottonasana, Upward Plank. Some to capture the feeling of the pose: a window opening, lifting, flying, rising, shining, offering, accepting, receiving, expanding, letting go, surrender, liberation, and grace. Beautiful, poetic words to match the poetry of our bodies.
On my way home, I thought about word banks that may apply in other areas of our lives to capture the essence of an activity, a moment, an event, a relationship. How often do we really consider the true essence, the intention, of our daily trials and triumphs? I don’t have this practice, though after tonight’s yoga class I see how powerful a practice it can be. The moments of our lives deserve description.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 