I’ve been enjoying the Sunday night yoga classes that I teach through Compass Yoga, though have recently realized that I need to make some changes. I love the students; the space is a challenge. It doesn’t serve the students as well as it needs to. The dance classes happening in neighboring studios have been noisier than I expected, and they’re very strict on time. If we’re in there at 7:01 on Sunday nights, they knock on the door regardless of whether or not they have a reservation after us. Also, the lighting has been a bit of a problem – it’s either overheard fluorescents or complete darkness, no dimmers. This prompted me to start looking around (again!) for a space.
After weeks of searching, sending countless emails and scheduling visits to potential spaces, I found one that fits the bill. It’s right in my neighborhood, supports a nonprofit that I am devoted to, and has the potential to truly help me fulfill Compass Yoga’s mission!
1.) Regular weekly classes move to Wednesday nights at 6pm. Starting Wednesday, March 23rd, I’ll be teaching every Wednesday night at 6pm at the New York Public Library – Bloomingdale Branch on 100th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus. (We had to move from Sunday nights to Wednesday nights because budget cuts to the NYPL have caused branches to be closed on Sundays.) The library is providing the space for free so this class will be free to everyone who wants to attend. This helps me to further my goal of teaching under-served populations – now the ability to pay for a class is no longer an obstacle to attending a regular, high-quality class. I’m really excited to be supporting the NY Public Library and the community in this way. I hope you’ll come out and join us on Wednesday nights! We’ll be up on the 2nd floor.
Also, if you’re a certified yoga teacher and interested in teaching at the NYPL, please let me know. My goal is to grow this program into other branches of the NYPL with a variety of different class times and for students with specific needs. It’s all part of the Compass Yoga initiative Karmi’s Angels.
2.) The Monday night yoga class that I teach at Columbia Law School at 6:30pm is now open to the general public. Address is 435 W 116th Street, Jerome Greene Hall , Room MB-25. It’s half way down the block on the north side between Amsterdam and Morningside Drive. Just walk through the iron gate and we’ll be the first building ahead on the right-hand side. Suggested donation is $5. That one is a bit less regular because it depends upon the scheduling of the room, which is quite busy this semester. For the remainder of the Spring, I’ll be teaching the class tonight, March 7th, as well as Monday nights on March 28th and April 11th.
Cancellation of my Sunday night class
Because of these developments at NYPL and Columbia, I’m giving up my independent Sunday night class at Pearl Studios. It’s been fun to try out that experiment and in brought me some new students. Despite the challenges with Pearl, I don’t for a second regret the decision to try it out. Most of the students who come to my Sunday night class regularly live further uptown so the classes at Columbia and the NYPL are more convenient for them, too. It’s a win all-around!
Details for all classes can always be found at http://compassyoga.com and at the Compass Yoga Meetup Group – http://www.meetup.com/Weekly-Yoga-Classes/. Thanks for all of your support for Compass – see you on the mat!
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
I’ve been enjoying the Sunday night yoga classes that I teach through Compass Yoga, though have recently realized that I need to make some changes. I love the students; the space is a challenge. It doesn’t serve the students as well as it needs to. The dance classes happening in neighboring studios have been noisier than I expected, and they’re very strict on time. If we’re in there at 7:01 on Sunday nights, they knock on the door regardless of whether or not they have a reservation after us. Also, the lighting has been a bit of a problem – it’s either overheard fluorescents or complete darkness, no dimmers. This prompted me to start looking around (again!) for a space. 
Congratulations – all is forward progress! have been trying out the breathing for meditation you talk about in other blogs. Like it a lot, and look forward to more development here on my part.
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