India, writer, yoga

Leap: “The End” – the Two Sweetest Words for a Writer

Christa Avampato

Yesterday I finished my ebook about my trip to India. In Search of the OM in Everything: 8 Days in India will be available for download from the iBookstore for iPhone and iPad on Monday and as a high resolution PDF from this blog. The moment I finished it, I felt an enormous sense of relief. I didn’t realize how much energy the project took to sustain. Now that I can release it out into the world, I feel a lightness. I have more room. Finally those stories will be out of my head and in the world.

I’ll publish the links on Monday once I complete my final practicum and presentation of the book as my research project on the last day of my 300-hour yoga teacher training at ISHTA Yoga this weekend. Until then, I’ll be basking in the glow of “The End.”

art, change, comedy, community, courage, television

Leap: A Lesson from Comedic Actor Sherman Hemsley, Star of All in the Family and The Jeffersons

Christa Avampato
Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford as George and Louise Jefferson

It wasn’t until much later that I realized how revolutionary his character of George Jefferson was at the time. While he was making all of us laugh, he tore down social barriers and prejudices that existed for centuries in this country. A black entrepreneur who wasn’t intimidated by anyone, least of all his prejudiced white neighbor? That was a revelation, particularly to have it showcased on network television. His co-star, Isabel Sanford, was the first (and so far, the only) Black actress to win a Lead Actress Emmy Award (for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981.) Clearly, we still have a long way to go.

A South Philly native, Sherman Hemsley passed away from natural causes on Tuesday. His bravery and strength, his ability to creatively challenge the conventions of his time through his own performances, has cemented his contribution in the performing arts. As my sister, Weez, so beautifully said, “He finally got that deluxe apartment in the sky.” R.I.P. to another Trailblazer who is gone too soon.

art, comedy, meditation, New York City

Leap: I’m Teaching a Meditation Class for Performers on August 20th

Christa Avampato

I’m so excited to announce that I am teaching a meditation class for performers in partnership with G.L.O.C. (Gorgeous Ladies of Comedy) entitled Showing Up and Tapping In: The Keys to Your Success as a Performer.

Event details:
Date – Monday, August 20th
Time – 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Location – The Breslin at the Ace Hotel, 20 West 29th Street, New York, NY
Cost – $5 to cover the cost of the amazing space at the Ace Hotel
Everyone is welcome – women and men who are performers and fans of performers!

My friend, Amanda, introduced me to G.L.O.C. during their Bridesmaids screening event last year. Since then I’ve been receiving their e-newsletter. Recently, they mentioned they were looking for more resources to help their members. I reached out to the hilarious Glennis McCarthy, Founder of G.L.O.C., and we immediately bonded over our desire to support performers and the need for attention on smart humor in the world of comedy.

We are hoping this class is just the start of a wonderful series of events to support performers and anyone with even the slightest hint of interest in performance. RSVP through the Facebook invite: https://www.facebook.com/events/206787669450646/

Here is a brief description of the event. Hope to see you there!

Showing Up and Tapping In: The Keys to Your Success as a Performer

If Woody Allen is right and 80% of success is showing up, then the other 20% is how you show up. And not just at an audition, a rehearsal, or a performance, but how you show up in life. Your lucky break isn’t somewhere down the road; it’s right now because opportunity is everywhere.

One interaction can change the entire course of your life and that interaction almost always happens at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place. So how do you prepare so that you can recognize that moment when it arrives and make the most of it? How can you prepare to be lucky?

As a performer you have to refresh your content and your performance constantly. Meditation helps you tap into your imagination at will and with ease in a deep, consistent way to discover new ideas. By learning to quiet the mind, you give your greatest ideas the chance to rise to the top. Meditation gives you a way forward.

This event will provide a sample class geared toward performers who want to enhance their creativity. It will include a few basic standing postures that can be done in your everyday clothes. The breathing and meditation techniques will all be practiced seated. You will also receive the sequence of postures and techniques after the class so that you can continue to practice on your own. You will find that these tools and techniques will help you identify hidden opportunities to advance your craft, make connections with people who can help grow your career, and develop a system to make sure you are continually in the best shape possible – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

inspiration, science, women

Leap: Remembering Sally Ride

Christa Avampato
Sally Ride aboard the space shuttle Challenger

If ever there was a person who defined Trailblazer, it was Sally Ride. In 1983, she became the first American woman to boldly go where none had gone before. Out there – way out there. I was 7 years old and I distinctly remember watching the lift off and thinking at that moment that if Sally Ride could go into space, then I could do anything. I was only limited by my own drive and my own intentions. Everything was possible.

While her passing after a long and painful illness at far too young an age is a sad and terrible thing, the legacy she left behind cannot be overstated. Sally Ride showed all of us that with graceful courage and strength, the sky was no longer the limit. She didn’t tell people what she was going to do; she showed them. And the best we can do in her memory is follow that same example as we plot the course of our own lives. Get out there and do something amazing!

design, dreams, future

Leap: Your Destiny, Your Design

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest

You could wait. You could seek the advice of others. You could find someone whom you admire and do exactly what they’ve done. You could let the Universe decide.

I don’t recommend any of those avenues when it comes to creating your destiny. You are wonderful and divine. You know exactly what you want and why. You have the very seeds from which every dream of yours will grow. All they need is nurturing. Some attention. Some room to breathe.

Each of these seeds is as unique as you. No one can tell you how or when they will develop. No one can tell you which ones need your attention now and which ones can wait. No one except you.

Your destiny is your business. You are the one who will live it. You are the one who lives with the outcomes of your actions. You will always wake up to you, walk with you, and go to bed with you. And so you must be your own best friend. Your own best champion.

Care for yourself and care for those dreams because when you are at your best and you are fulfilling the destiny you created for yourself, the whole world benefits. We all get a chance to experience the very best version of you.

adventure, India, travel

Leap: I Finished the First Draft of My Ebook about My India Trip

Christa Avampato
One of the many signs I stumbled across in India that let me know I was going in the right direction

Yesterday I finished the first draft of my ebook about my Indian adventure. I’m using it as my research project for my advanced yoga teacher training which wraps up next weekend. This research project was one of the main drivers for writing this ebook so quickly after my return.

I felt an amazing sense of relief writing that last sentence. It was difficult and wonderful to relive everything captured in my journal, particularly with the perspective of 2 months of elapsed time. So much has changed in that 2 months since I returned from my trip and I am grateful for every ounce of it.

More than anything, I am in awe of our ability to change our lot once we simply commit to making a change. Overcoming inertia is no small feat though once we get ourselves moving in the direction of radical change, the train will keep moving and take on a life of its own. It’s empowering and inspiring to realize our own strength and courage.

This week, I’ll be doing some very light editing of the ebook and adding in pictures. Then I’ll wrap it up in a bow, post it up on my blog, and set it free. I hope you’ll download it, read it, and let me know what you think.

creativity, luck, meditation

Leap: Meditate to Prepare for Chance

Christa Avampato
From Pinterest

“Chance favors the prepared mind.” ~ Louis Pasteur, French chemist and microbiologist

If Woody Allen is right and 80% of success is showing up, then the other 20% is how you show up. And not just at an audition, an interview, or a big meeting, but how you show up in life. Your lucky break isn’t somewhere down the road; it’s right now because opportunity is everywhere. Many times it’s up to you to make your own opportunity. And you can.

One interaction can change the entire course of your life and that interaction almost always happens at an unexpected time and in an unexpected place. So how do you prepare so that you can recognize that moment when it arrives and make the most of it? How can you be prepared for chance?

Take 10 minutes, as soon as you wake up, while you’re drifting off to sleep, or right now. Close your eyes. One hand on the belly and one hand on the chest. Just follow your breath. Take it in and imagine that you are extracting opportunity right out of thin air. Exhale it all out and imagine that the strength of your exhale is super-charging your internal batteries. The breath has every answer you need to every challenge you will ever have. It’s all there. Your only job is to get quiet enough to hear its wisdom.

But don’t take my word for it. I’m not asking you to believe a single word that anyone has ever written about meditation. I’m only asking you to give it a try so that you can experience the benefits for yourself.

There’s no trick to meditation. There’s no magic formula and you don’t need an invitation to practice. If you breathe, you have everything you need. Now all you need to do is follow its lead. It will prepare you for everything that is coming.

adventure, choices, courage, strengths

Leap: You Are Your Best Navigator

Christa Avampato

It’s about choices. It’s all about choices.

Every morning you wake up, you have the opportunity to stand in the midst of life, take it all in, and then decide what to make of it. You figure out where you are, where you’d like go, and the path you’ll take to get there. There’s no map. It’s just you, your desire to make a unique contribution to humanity, and your gut. Those are the tools of this grand navigation. They’re all we have and they are enough.

business, entrepreneurship, relationships, yoga

Leap: Business Lessons from an Adaptive Yoga Program for People with Cerebral Palsy

Christa Avampato

Yesterday a lovely and important email showed up in my inbox out of the blue. The United Cerebral Palsy of New York City chapter found the Compass Yoga website through our work with the New York Public Library and on Monday I am meeting with them to discuss the possibility of creating an adaptive yoga program for their constituents. I am passionate about serving differently-abled people and have been talking about this passion with all of you for years.

I tell you this new little tidbit for a variety of reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with this exciting and wonderful opportunity and everything to do with you as you build your own brand and business. Within this story are a number of incredibly valuable lessons for all of us.

1.) Figure out who you want to serve. I cannot stress this enough – you cannot and should not be all things to all people. There is a well-reasoned tendency for you to try. You don’t to miss an opportunity, particularly if it is for a worthy cause. People ask for your help. You’re good and kind person, and you have a whole lot of wonderful gifts to give. Now put all of that aside. Decide what you want your specific contribution to humanity to be. It’s not written in stone. You can change your mind down the road if you need to / want to. What you can’t do is run in every direction. Choose and go for it!

2.) With your direction chosen, put it out into the world. Write about it. Talk about it. Take pictures and shoot video about it. Tweet, FB, Pin it, Google+ it. Whatever it takes. You made choices and you’re ready to get out there and give the world your best version of you. Tell all of us that you’ve arrived – we want to know. And keep telling your story, over and over again to anyone and everyone.

3.) Straddle the line between impatient and patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is your reputation. However, you can’t rest on those lovely laurels of yours either. You’re reputation is a series of actions over a long period of time. You are literally swimming in opportunity. Pick up the bits and pieces that interest you, roll up your sleeves, and give them a whirl. You’ll see your small steps turn into big leaps if you stay focused and consistent.

Okay – stop reading and start doing. The people you are meant to serve are out there waiting for you. Go meet them.

business, dreams, entrepreneurship

Leap: The Secret Thrill of Incorporating Your Own Business

Christa Avampato

I’ve spent the last month teaching the ducks I put in a row to march to the beat of my drum. After taking my leap into my own business, I’ve gone about cultivating leads and working to turn those leads into tangible projects. As the Founder of a new business, it’s the best place for me to spend my time at the moment.

To get the administrative wheels turning, I received a recommendation for a great accountant who makes his living helping freelancers. The first week on my own, I took myself over to meet him and 15 minutes later he got to work filing my papers of incorporation for Chasing Down the Muse:

Today, I stopped by his office to pick up the finished package and my heart did a little dance when I saw my:

Certificate of Incorporation

Stock Certificates (seriously!)

Corporate Seal

It struck me that I didn’t just leap out on my own into the abyss when I left my corporate job. I walked out one door and through another, a door I designed with careful attention to detail that is framed by the work I love. Now its official – there’s nowhere to go but up from here. Now I begin to build. Now I unleash my craziest, wildest, most incredible dreams and see if they have wings. It’s now or never, and I prefer now!