The free yoga class at the New York Public Library that I teach is going even better than I ever imagined. I had a few keys goals when I started this class:
1.) Get a wide audience to attend the class regularly, particularly students who have never taken yoga before
2.) Use the class as a springboard to launch Karmi’s Angels, Compass Yoga‘s free matchmaking service that pairs new yoga teachers who want to gain experience teaching and nonprofits who want to offer free yoga to their staff and constituents.
3.) Grow as a teacher myself
What I didn’t expect was what one of my students said to me yesterday, something that made me teary eyed, and glad, and grateful: “This class is the very best part of my week.” I knew yoga could have that effect; I just didn’t expect this class to have that effect. I simply replied, “It’s the best part of my week, too.” And I meant it. Others have told me, “This is just what I needed”, “I feel so relaxed after this class”, “Are all yoga classes this good?”, and one of my personal favorites – “Honey, I’ve been takin’ yoga classes for a long time and I know when a teacher got it and when she doesn’t. And honey, you got it.” How could I ever have a bad day after statements like that?
Teaching yoga, and particularly teaching a free class to an under-served, in-need population, can have a very profound effect on the teachers and the students. It opens the heart, the mind, and the soul to new ideas of how to create a happier, healthier world. It is the gift that keeps on giving. Some of my New York Public Library students keep asking me, “So when are you going to stop offering this class?” They assume I am only here for a limited run. Truthfully, I never started this class with any kind of end date in mind. I just wanted a quiet room with students who wanted to learn something about yoga. And as long as they keep showing up, then I’ll keep showing up, too.
If you are a yoga teacher interested in being matched with a nonprofit to offer a free class or know of a nonprofit who would be interested in having a free yoga class for their employees and their constituents, please contact me at compassyoga@gmail.com. Join the movement!
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.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
The free yoga class at the New York Public Library that I teach is going even better than I ever imagined. I had a few keys goals when I started this class: 
Christa Avampato 
I am so thrilled for you! Reading this made my heart feel good. Maybe you could submit an essay about your experience to YogaJournal or some other similar pub/forum and expand the circle that way.
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That’s a great idea, MJ! I hadn’t thought of doing that. Will get cracking on it – you never know what can show up in print!
Cheers and thanks for the encouragement!
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Hooray for you! This is community service at its best!! And you’re making it happen!
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