Author: 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.
teaching, yoga

Beautiful: My New Yoga Class at ISHTA Yoga Downtown Starts This Tuesday, January 8th at 3:00pm

Christa Avampato

ishta 260-1It’s with great excitement that this week I will begin teaching at ISHTA Yoga‘s downtown studio located at 56 East 11th Street between University and Broadway just south of Union Square. The class is $10 (or can be taken as part of any class package from ISHTA) and will be held every Tuesday from 3:00pm – 4:00pm starting on January 8th and continuing through May 21st. (This week only I am also subbing on Friday the 11th at 3pm.)

I received my 300-hour training from ISHTA in July and saw my own practice and teaching grow by leaps and bounds as a result. I’m honored to be able to now teach there and share what I’ve learned with others. Come on by for a healthy dose of goodness, relaxation, and joy. I’ve got plenty to share. See you in the studio!

action, beauty, community service, fear, freedom

Beautiful: Serve to Be Free

Christa Avampato

226094843762320617_DBDbo6Gu_b“There are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talk about in the great outside world of wanting and achieving. The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people.” ~ David Foster Wallace

Everyone whoever did anything worthwhile was completely scared out of their mind. And you know how they overcame that fear? They focused their attention on others. You want to make something? Make it for the sake of others. For the sake of being helpful and useful. Service isn’t about obligation. It’s about being free in the highest order.

The board of Compass Yoga has set large goals for the organization in 2013. If I just looked at them on paper, I might hesitate. They are that awesome. But here’s the trick that keeps me from any fear: I know that so many people will benefit from our work. We will build a happier, healthier, more vibrant world through our efforts. It happens every day, in every one of our classes taught by our incredibly talented, dedicated, passionate teachers. We are literally changing lives.

See what happens with that kind of intention? Fear just falls away. It evaporates. Once we realize that we have the power to give someone exactly what they need exactly when they need it so that they can live their very best lives, there is no way we can turn and run. Because it’s not about us. It’s about each other. It’s about helping one another through this life by giving the very best of what we have to others.

action, beauty, decision-making, dreams

Beautiful: The Heart Whispers. Listen Closely.

Christa Avampato

43558321365993583_jZdK8XV9_cThe world has many voices and none of them are perfect for you. They tell stories, many of them important, many of them inspiring. But the only story that will ever help you to reach your beautiful, unique potential is the one you write yourself.

Get quiet, place your hands on your heart, and let the wisdom flow into you. The voice of the heart is soft and kind, but never weak. And it never gives up. I promise you it is there; it’s always there; it’s always been there. Trust yourself more than you trust anyone. You will never steer you wrong.

beauty, choices, free, grateful, gratitude, happiness, make, maker, time

Beautiful: Make Your Own Freedom

Christa Avampato

54817320435182285_6WPkO2u4_cAction does not imply aggression. You don’t need to bully and bust your way onto the path that is best for you. It’s so tempting to push and prod and throw an elbow to exhibit strength. But there is a better way. A surer way. A happier, more peaceful option.

Just be your best self. Invest your time and effort not in making others see and behave in the way you want them to. Go about this work on your own and inspire through example.

Live your life. Make your choices. And not for the sake of achieving something or changing someone but only because they fill you with happiness and gratitude. That is the truest definition of freedom, something we all define on our own terms and in our own time.

beauty, creativity, dreams, make, maker, time

Beautiful: Create the Conditions You Need to Do Your Best Work

Christa Avampato

21814379414799127_vbmdhYPx_c“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.” ~ Alan Cohen

Why wait? There will never be a better time to do the best work you can do than right now.

More money won’t help. Neither will the illusion of more time. Focus is gained by focusing. Confusion is sorted out through action. Clarity is gained by deciding to be clear about your priorities.

The conditions around you are always temporary and you have the power to make the ones that are right for you. Begin and the world will mold around your dreams. The Universe loves purpose, passion, and action.

adventure, creativity, make, maker, time

Make Something Beautiful – My New Theme for 2013

Christa Avampato
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From Pinterest

In the spirit of my new year’s resolution to fearlessly go after every dream I have, I’ll write every day about this journey. In 2012 I took the leap into a life of my own design. I spent a lot of time entrenched in the critical processes of planning and experimenting. In 2013 I will breathe life into those plans. I’ll roll up my sleeves, get out into the world, and actually build those dreams with my own two tiny hands because at heart I am a Maker.

Poet Mary Oliver poses the question, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” In this new year, I mean to answer that question not in words, but in beautiful, thoughtful, passionate actions.

I’m so glad you’re here to share this experience. I hope it inspires you to take up the call to create. In 2013, what will you make?

choices, determination, dreams, holiday, New Years Eve

Leap: 2013, We’re On Our Way

Christa Avampato

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In the movie Ratatouille, Linguini sets his mind to pull it together and go after his dream with the help of his wee partner in crime. His simple declaration “let’s do this thing” has been my mantra this year.

And what a year it’s been. It was a leap year for me in every sense. I put some old demons to rest. I went after the craziest of dreams. I took big risks. I pushed myself far beyond any limits I thought I had. I won and lost in equal amounts, and I wouldn’t trade a single one of those experiences. I take John Lennon’s advice to heart every single day – I don’t want to die with the music still in me. In every area of my life, I took the chance of looking like a fool because I don’t want to have any regrets. All of these leaps have been totally worth the effort, regardless of the outcome.

Now 2013 is upon us. Rather than making any specific resolutions, I’m taking my cue from Linguini. 2013, I’m coming for you and I mean to make this year a break out year on all fronts. Happy New Year everyone – let’s do this thing!

charity, yoga

Leap: Help Compass Yoga Get More Yoga to More People in More Places in 2013

Christa Avampato

155022412144196817_GnjUJDhx_cYesterday Compass Yoga, the nonprofit I founded to provide the therapeutic benefits of yoga and meditation to people who otherwise would not have access to the practice, received its first completely unsolicited donation from one of our wonderful students.

In 2013, we are expanding programming to additional branches of the New York Public Library, creating Compass Guides, mini-publications that explain how to use yoga and meditation in a holistic treatment plan for a wide variety of health challenges, and crafting a community health clinic concept to help people discover, learn about, and access alternative care. Donations like the one from our student yesterday will make this work possible.

All donations are 100% tax-deductible and every penny helps. To make a donation of any size, please visit this link: https://www.wepay.com/donations/compass-yoga_1

From the entire team at Compass, we wish you a joyful, peaceful, and prosperous new year!

commitment, courage, dreams, passion

Leap: Unleash Your Inner Hero

Christa Avampato

155303887121906606_PANzROxo_cWe study others to learn the secrets of their success – how they rose to the top of their fields, created a product or service we love, or created an admirable impact in the world. While we have much to learn from others, when it comes to crafting and breathing life into our own dreams we’d do well to be our own heroes, teachers, and advocates. When we believe in our vision, stand by our convictions with passion and grace, it becomes much easier for others to believe in it, too.

Once we decide to be our own heroes, others will be inspired to do the same. And when that happens, people not only meet their potential but exceed it. It’s that achievement that has the power to change the world. To experience real change, we all need to show up in the world as the very best version of ourselves, roll up our sleeves, and strengthen our communities from the ground up. With all the challenges we face, we need everyone at the top of their game and the only one who make that happen is you.

Christmas, cooking, food, gifts

Leap: My Favorite Christmas Gift – a Pasta Press

Christa Avampato

mail.google.comThe presents I love the most are ones that are old, passed down through loving hands, and put to good use immediately.

Over the past few months, I’ve been working on the skill of making homemade pasta. I’ve tried a few different recipes, purchased a couple of books, and signed myself up for a class here in NYC (more on that once I complete the class.) There’s something very satisfying about crafting food with my hands that gives me a happy glow. I love the feeling of kneading the dough, forming the pasta with my hands, and then watching it float to the top of a pot of salty water to meet its destiny on a plate covered with homemade sauce and freshly grated cheese.

Hearing about my new-found pasta creation hobby, my mom boxed up the pasta machine pictured here out of her own kitchen. It’s older than I am, simple to use, and gets the job done when it comes to noodle making. I’m not sure where this new hobby is leading me – perhaps in the direction of another entrepreneurial venture? – but I’m planning to cook and eat my way wherever it goes. (Thanks, Mom!)

If you’re up for enjoying a plate of homemade pasta with me and giving me feedback on the recipes, come on over for dinner!