NYC yogis welcome summer http://bornintocolor.tumblr.comI welcomed the long days of the year by wrapping up what felt like a too-long day in the middle of Times Square. Douglass Stewart taught a yoga class right in the heart of it all. He helped us to focus on how to feel a part of all of that energy without letting it frazzle our nerves. Could we be present and embrace the energy without letting it burn us out? Could we focus on internal hum as we embraced the outer hum of the city all around us, and in the process could we still have fun with it all? By the end of the class, I found myself feeling so much gratitude for the energy that surrounded us. It is a conscious, deliberate choice to live in this crazy city, and I’m thankful for its energy and it dynamism. So are the 8,000 yogis who took in one of three classes held today in Times Square in honor of the solstice.
Solstice 2007 When I moved back to New York in 2007, I attended the yoga in Times Square event for the first time and wrote this post about the experience. It was a much smaller event then. I had been back for all of 10 days and I hadn’t found a job yet so I had plenty of time to get re-acquainted with New York. I spent the first part of my career in Times Square managing Broadway Shows, and spent some time living on 49th & 9th just above the beloved Coffee Pot. In many ways, this area of the city helped to sculpt my view of the world as an adult because for many years this handful of blocks was my world.
Throughout Douglass’s class, I thought back to the summer solstice of 2007. I distinctly remember being on my mat in Savasana and feeling some street dust (or what I hoped was only street dust!) fly up my nose. I was a newly-minted MBA, a novice blogger, and a little hazy at best about my future. I felt adrift but distinctly certain that I was meant to be in New York City. I couldn’t articulate why I felt that I had to be in New York; all I knew is that it felt like home and I was craving to feel at home.
Looking back, I really should have been scared out of my mind with no job, a few suitcases of clothes, and a shared apartment sublet in Astoria, Queens, graciously offered up by a friend of mine. I had enough money to survive for a month or so and then I would hit rock bottom. And here I was lying on the ground in the middle of Times Square focusing on trying to find peace in the madness. I am more optimistic than I give myself credit for!
Solstice 2011
Fast forward to 2011, and I am amazed at the transformation – in my yoga and in my life. New York has indeed become my home, I am financial stable, earn part of my income from writing and teaching yoga, and have put the art and science of business together by beginning my own company, Compass Yoga. Despite all of this change, I laid down in the middle of Times Square on my yoga mat, still excited about the future, still soaking in all the vibes the same way I did 4 years ago. Though I could mentally register all the changes that have taken place in my life in the past 4 years, I was struck by how much my body’s experience of this year’s solstice class mirrored my experience 4 years ago.
New York, can I get an OM?
Toward the end of the class, Douglass asked us to do a round robin OM in which you take a breath when you need one and just continue the rolling OM chant. It’s one of my favorite ways to close a practice. The magical part was when our OMs were complete. The OM kept rolling in the city around us. The low hum that the city has sounded remarkably similar to the OM created by all of us. Unity, yoga, at its very best.
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
4 thoughts on “Beginning: NYC, Can I Get An OM? Me and 8,000 NY Yogis Welcome Summer with Open Arms in Times Square”
Christa,
Thank You.
From Pennsylvania to Virgina and back to New York: you have come a long way. Wow: what a journey–and it still feels like home. Truly remarkable.
What gladdens my heart is that you decided to pursue your dream. Your maturity at such a young age shines through. You are reassuring in your attitude.
It is your attitude that has amazed me. So mature about it, even with few worldly possessions–and yet confident that you will make your mark in this world. You put your best foot forward and decided to achieve your goals.
A true yogi. You have lived such an eventful life–such terrific experiences along the way. I wish you success and happiness. Live long and prosper.
Hi Archan,
Well all we can do is play the hand we’re dealt right? What’s amazed me so much is that true effort and passion can actually change our hand, that where we start does not dictate where we end up in life. Our lives are ours to craft. And your Star Trek reference was not lost on me ;). As always, thanks for all of the support! It means more than you know.
I think yoga itself in the US has also grown in recognition, just as you have grown. You are right in sync (as usual). Yesterday on the Today show, a travel agent spoke with Al Roker about desireable vacation destinations in the US, and every single one of them offered yoga as part of the package with meditation and massage as an add-on component.
That’s so awesome that yoga was a part of every package. I am thrilled that it is becoming so popular here – the practice has so much to offer to all who give it a try.
Christa Avampato 
Christa,
Thank You.
From Pennsylvania to Virgina and back to New York: you have come a long way. Wow: what a journey–and it still feels like home. Truly remarkable.
What gladdens my heart is that you decided to pursue your dream. Your maturity at such a young age shines through. You are reassuring in your attitude.
It is your attitude that has amazed me. So mature about it, even with few worldly possessions–and yet confident that you will make your mark in this world. You put your best foot forward and decided to achieve your goals.
A true yogi. You have lived such an eventful life–such terrific experiences along the way. I wish you success and happiness. Live long and prosper.
Cheers.
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Hi Archan,
Well all we can do is play the hand we’re dealt right? What’s amazed me so much is that true effort and passion can actually change our hand, that where we start does not dictate where we end up in life. Our lives are ours to craft. And your Star Trek reference was not lost on me ;). As always, thanks for all of the support! It means more than you know.
LikeLike
I think yoga itself in the US has also grown in recognition, just as you have grown. You are right in sync (as usual). Yesterday on the Today show, a travel agent spoke with Al Roker about desireable vacation destinations in the US, and every single one of them offered yoga as part of the package with meditation and massage as an add-on component.
LikeLike
That’s so awesome that yoga was a part of every package. I am thrilled that it is becoming so popular here – the practice has so much to offer to all who give it a try.
LikeLike