determination, education, loans, money

Beginning: How I Got My Financial Life on Track and Paid Off My Private Student Loans

Christa Avampato

In May 2007, I graduated from Darden Business School and moved to New York City. I didn’t have a firm job offer and I had run out of money. In June, I got a full-time job offer and to tide myself over until I got my first paycheck in July I had to take a cash advance on my American Express card at an ATM and only making the minimum credit card payment that month. This was incredibly upsetting to me because I have always prided myself on never carrying any credit card debt. Though I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, I felt that financially I had hit rock bottom. I remember standing at that ATM machine in Astoria, Queens, where I was subletting an apartment month-to-month from a friend. I must have stood there for 20 minutes before making the cash withdrawal. I felt afraid, alone, and very, very broke.

Pulling myself together
I had gotten some gift certificate money on Amazon.com and with it bought Suze Orman’s just-published book Young, Fabulous, and Broke. I tore through it in an effort to put together a plan of how to get myself back on track. In addition to having run out of money, I also had over $100,000 of school loans hanging over me. It felt like a crushing amount of debt. It was a crushing amount of debt, particularly for someone starting at $0. To make matters worse, the interest on the loans was not tax-deductible because my income was too high – no consideration for debt-to-income ratio is given by the IRS with regards to this tax rule. That rule motivated me to get rid of these loans as quickly as possible. I didn’t regret my education, though I definitely felt like I would be in debt for many years to come and have to delay a lot of my dreams, which were precisely the reasons I went to graduate school in the first place.

After a mini-breakdown at the ATM, I pulled myself together, talked to some friends about this situation, and eventually toughened up. To be honest, I made the choice to go to school, take these loans, move to New York City, and try to make a go of a career as a product developer. I had to take responsibility for this debt; I had to own it and get it paid down as fast as I could without missing out on the fun of life in the meantime. A delicate balance. I was on the road, and I just had to chin up and keep going. Feeling sorry for myself just made the situation worse so I stopped whining, poured my heart into a solid plan to put away an emergency fund (which turned out to be very important considering that the recession would hit full force 6 months later), pay down my loans, and still enjoy all of the amazing experience that New York City has to offer. That last piece was key – if I couldn’t find a way to enjoy NYC while managing my finances, what would be the point in living here?

A plan is formed
With help from Suze’s book and my own experience of never really having much money to begin with, I put a plan in place. I had a goal amount to save every month that would first be put away for my emergency fund (the amount it would take me to live for 12 months if I lose my job.) I would make the minimum payments on my school loans until my emergency fund was in place, and then use the monthly savings amount to pay down the loans. Little by little I squirreled away money while still enjoying New York City in an affordable way. I’ve never been a shopper or much of a collector so resisting the endless temptations in New York City to buy-buy-buy was easy for me – and it was key to paying down my debt. My personal yoga practice helped A LOT, as did running, taking long walks in the park, and seeing my friends as often as possible. I had a lot of anxiety about the loans and when I felt it overwhelming me, I would get out into the world to shake it off.

A huge goal realized in 3 and a half years
Friday, February 11th, was a big, beautiful day. A little over three and a half years since putting my plan into action, I paid off over half of my student loans – the entirety of the private loans I took to go to graduate school. I still have government loans from both my undergraduate (which I also paid for myself) and graduate studies, though they have a locked interest rate. I will be turning my attention toward them next, though for today I’m doing a little jig of celebration. I threw off a great big heavy chain of debt today and it feels amazing!

My book about yoga and personal finance
I’m using this experience as a basis for a book I’m working on that combines the principles of yoga and solid guidelines for developing your own personal financial plan. I want this story of debt relief to be useful to as many people as possible, and the best way to make that happen is to tell the story.

Have you accomplished a big fat goal recently or have you put a plan in place to pay down your debt despite the tough economy? Let me know your story!

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

change, health, teaching, yoga

Beginning: Teaching Yoga Requires An Ability to Ebb and Flow at Every Moment

Christa Avampato

After a few weeks of teaching my yoga classes on Sunday nights at Pearl Studios, I’ve come to fully appreciate the power of knowing a craft well enough and having the confidence to make it up as I go. Getting used to a new space and a new class always takes time. I expected that. What I didn’t expect, and what I am absolutely delighted about, is the incredible variety of people who are attending the class. Truly an open-level class (from the newest beginners to long-time practitioners), come as you are environment, it’s both challenging and exciting.

The universe is also sending me a sign about where my yoga teaching is headed – in the yoga therapy / medical application setting. To-date, I’ve had several shoulder injury students, and students with fibromyalgia, spina bifida, low back strains, fused vertebrae, and scoliosis. Age has ranged from 18 to 67. Thanks to Meetup, my blog, the Compass website, and general word-of-mouth, the diversity is stunning. And what a gift!

What all this means is that the class I prepare is not the class I give. Every moment, I have to connect with the students, figure out what they need most at that very moment, and provide it. I change out cues and postures. I alter the pace. I offer different imagery. And the students let me know what’s working and what’s not working, and we figure it out together. I’m learning as much as they are, if not more.

Teaching yoga is equal parts giving and receiving. It requires listening, compassion, and empathy. And above all, it requires the ability to throw away everything you thought you knew and had rehearsed for many hours for the sake of providing students with exactly what they need, exactly when they need it. Ego and pride have no place on the mat or in the studio.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

animals, dogs

Beginning: 10 Things I’ve Done to Ease My Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Christa Avampato

Last week Phin, my faithful and adorable dachshund, had a bit of a setback in his training. To be fair, his schedule was a little out of whack with me coming home after work to walk him and then leaving again to meet friends, as well as having friends visit us before we all went out together, leaving Phin at home on Saturday night. His separation anxiety came back with a vengence with these changes and sent him into a panic, shaking and crying, sometimes for hours. Most of my neighbors were exceedingly kind about the situation and concerned about Phin since he has been fine for months.

Yoga and dogs
For a moment I stepped back and thought how ironic it is that I am a yoga instructor who teaches relaxation and stress reduction, and my dog has separation anxiety. Then again, if anyone can understand what he’s going through and ease that feeling in him, it should be me. This is the professional calling of my life – to help others find ease and to become aware of their own inner confidence.

The toll of stress
The weekend with Phin was stressful, and it was a wake-up call for me. I had forgotten how much stress can harm us if left unchecked. Within hours I had developed a stiff neck, a loss of appetite, restlessness coupled with exhaustion, tight muscles, a general state of nervousness / anticipation, a fuzzy mind that made it difficult to think clearly, and my skin broke out. I wanted so much to help Phin, and yet felt so unstable myself. If I felt this badly, I could barely imagine how upset he must have been! It was a reminder of how important the work of stress reduction is, and how much of my life I used to spend in this state.

Calm, assertive, and relaxed
Several days later, and back into a normal routine, I’m glad to report that Phin is back to his sweet, calm self. Animals, and dogs in particular, are creatures of habit. They thrive on rituals and predictability. Stability and structure is something Phin needs as we slowly work toward his rehabilitation, and as his loving caretaker it is my responsibility to provide that for him. It will take patience and time, and there will undoubtedly be stumbling blocks for us. I sometimes forget that Phin and I are still at the very beginning of our relationship because I feel like I’ve had him forever.

Tips to ease anxiety in dogs
Here are some tips that so many incredible friends and animals advisors gave to me over the past few days that have helped Phin and I by leaps and bounds. There is no way to thank so many people for their support and love:

1.) I put his playpen back into place, leaving the door open but giving him a room of his own

2.) I put him back on his homeopathic anxiety relief supplement that helped so much when I first adopted him

3.) When the cold weather set in, I gave Phin a down comforter to snuggle into. I had put it into my laundry bag last week and now that he has it back he seems to feel much more secure. Just like Linus.

4.) Despite the cold, I am waking up earlier and walking Phin for a full hour every morning. Bundle up!

5.) He’s got a stash of new toys that seem to keep him more occupied: an extreme kong (which I now stuff and freeze), a tuffy circle, and a kong bouncy ball.

6.) Rather than just leaving music on during the day, I leave the TV on for him so he has the comfort of hearing human voices. I’m relying on him to keep me up-to-date on breaking news.

7.) Taking a cue from Temple Grandin’s research, I purchased a Thundershirt – a soft, close-fitting shirt that applies very slight compression to Phin and is said to ease anxiety in 85% of dogs. $36 and it comes with a money-back guarantee if it doesn’t work. I have nothing to lose so we’re going to give it a whirl.

8.) I’ve decided to have my dog walker come back regularly in the near future. Walking with other dogs gives Phin the experience of being with a pack of his canine pals. Walks with Jamie, my dog walker, helped him tremendously when I first adopted him and also eased up my after-work schedule. It’s important for him to be able to walk well with someone other than me, and it will make it easier on him whenever I might need to board him in the future.

9.) One of my neighbors suggested that a stuffed animal might help Phin feel less lonely when I’m gone. Kind of like a teddy bear helps little kids go to sleep. I gave Phin a plush Kermit the Frog, expecting him to rip it up in no time. He chewed it a bit and now happily uses it as a pillow.

10.) I had been leaving one my t-shirts in his travel carrier and moved that t-shirt to his dog bed. With that t-shirt, he knows I’ll always come back to take care of him.

My role in Phin’s rehabilitation
I’m not sure if it’s just one of those things or the combo that is really helping Phin. All I do know is that he seems to be in a more zen state in our home, and to me that’s all that really matters. As his owner, it’s incumbent upon me to be his leader and to constantly provide him with my calm, assertive energy. And not just 99% of the time, but all of the time. I saved a life by adopting him, and I want our life together to be well-lived.

If you have rescued and rehabilitated animals, I’d love to hear your stories! Any advice is most welcomed here 🙂

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

China, holiday

Beginning: My Favorite Description of the Year of the Rabbit

Christa Avampato

I’m on an e-newsletter mailing list for the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. Last week they sent out an email that gave a beautiful and inspiring description on the year of the Golden Rabbit, which we entered on February 3rd. While I grew a lot last year, the year of the Tiger, I am more than happy to usher in a new year that promises more peace, tranquility, and reflection. And according to TCM, that’s what we’re in for in the year of the Golden Rabbit. Read on for the description and some specific instructions on how to make this a glorious year.

What the year of the Golden Rabbit signifies:
February 3rd is the beginning of the New Year according to the Lunar calendar. This year, the year of the Golden Rabbit, is considered to be a lucky year for all. It offers a time of reflection and renewal. It’s a good opportunity to examine beliefs and their effects in our lives. It’s a special time to sweep out those old patterns and plant new healing thoughts in our minds, take better care of our body, and nurture our spirit. Above all, it’s an ideal beginning for making a commitment to retrain your mind to associate yourself with good and recognize that everything that happens, happens for good. So set your intentions, believe in yourself and let the energy of this year support you in your personal journey. Welcome to the year of the Golden Rabbit!

The Rabbit, the myth, the legend:
According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar based on the cycles of the moon, this New Year falls on February 3. A complete cycle of the Lunar Calendar takes 60 years to complete and consists of five cycles of 12 years each. Each of the 12 years is named after an animal. Legend says Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to him before he departed from Earth. Only 12 came to say farewell and as a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. (How cool is that?!) The Chinese Zodiac consists of the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig or Boar. The Chinese believe the animal who rules the year in which a person was born has a profound influence on his or her personality. (For the record, I’m a Dragon – surprise, surprise!)

The Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun. Together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, and represent the Yin and Yang of life. It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want … and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied. The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic.

A monthly ritual to make sure you get your fair share of Golden Rabbit magic:
So, on each of the Full Moon nights in the Year of the Golden Rabbit, go out into your garden to gaze up at the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage. This will not only strengthen your inner “Qi” energy, but will also bring wisdom into your life.

What all Rabbits have in common:
People born in the Year of the Rabbit share certain characteristics; they are: Keen, wise, fragile, tranquil, serene, considerate, fashionable, and kind. Generally, they are quite calm, do not exhibit aggressive behavior, and will avoid confrontation at all costs. When angry about something, they will approach it calmly and considerately, hardly ever raising their voice. They are quite keen and pay close attention to the situations developing around them. They are intelligent and quick, and can talk themselves in or out of most situations with no problem. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. They are friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends, are good communicators, counselors and teachers, but also need their own space.

The Rabbit is a symbol of mercy, elegance, and worship of beauty. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are kind, loving persons, and dislike any hostile act. They give others an impression of being frail-looking because of their gentle appearance. But, in fact they are strong-minded and have strong wills. They pursue their ideals all their lives in a precise and orderly way. They do things slowly and deliberately because of their cautious characters. They make great teachers and counselors because they are so diplomatic and well-organized.

May this year bring you untold opportunity and untold possibility.

The image above is my latest doodle on my Wacom. It’s how I feel when I’m writing late into the night.

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

art, creative process, creativity

Beginning: What I Create and Refuse to Destroy

Christa Avampato

“A society is defined not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy.” ~ John Sawhill

I’ve been watching the coverage of Egypt with a heavy heart. I’m sure you have, too. An art curator in Egypt was interviewed by one of the networks recently and he talked about his deep concern that the violence could jeopardize so much priceless art in Cairo. I’ve been so focused on the human element of the conflict that I never considered how this could reshape Egypt’s artistic heritage.

This new perspective got me thinking about the creation and destruction we do every day in our lives. What we build, tear down, rearrange, and leave intact says a lot about who we are and what we value. It deserves some reflection time.

My creations:
1.) I’m working on creating more personal art thanks to my Wacom.

2.) I’m building Compass Yoga, a yoga teaching business, with a strong eye on delivering yoga to under-served populations particularly in conjunction with the medical community.

3.) Though my natural inclination is to make my living through working with small organizations, I’m currently a part of a large financial institution that has become a great test lab for me to learn about industrial psychology, mobile technology, and the levers that move the market.

4.) This blog continues to be a big part of my life as I work on other writing projects. My writing is a way for me to reach out, connect, and work through the situations of my life.

What I refuse to destroy:
1.) I used to take a lot of risk in my career. I still value risk though I’ve also learned to better calculate the consequences. As a result my risk taking in recent years has yielded a higher return, personally and financially. My improved analytical skills have helped me build a life of real value and independence – something I would never compromise.

2.) I work hard to create a peaceful life and home, which may sound funny to people who know that my schedule can frequently get packed to the gills. It’s only in the past year or so that I’ve felt any sense of peace, something I always desperately wanted and could never find. Despite a long-lived yoga practice, where I would find moments of peace and well-being, it faded quickly once I got back to real life. What I didn’t realize for a long time is that peace is a daily process and it is actually always with us. The quiet within wants to surface. We just have to slow down enough to let it reveal itself. Every day I carve out time to just sit and be. I have to.

3.) I have a ritual of preparation. Even if I never use a lick of what I prepare, the preparation itself is part of my creation process. Brian and I have been working a lot on my improv skills, my ability to trust my gut so I can show up and just be. I was trained as a preparation junkie, trying to madly cover every possible base. It took me years to realize that every base will never be covered. There will always be unexpected circumstances, thing we could never prepare for because we never even imagined their existence. And while I’m getting much more confident in my trusty gut and my intuition, I’m still preparing. My prep time these days is greatly reduced compared to what I used to do, but it’s still there in some form. I need it. Rituals bring comfort, especially in new situations.

What about you? What are you working on creating, and what are the non-negotiables of your life?

The image above is my latest doodle on my Wacom. It’s how I feel when I’m writing late into the night.

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

art, children, creativity, dogs, meditation, yoga

Beginning: 3 Way to Get Fresh Eyes

Christa Avampato

“To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.” ~ George Kneller

How many times have you caught yourself saying, aloud or to yourself, “well, that’s just the way it is”? It’s a dangerous phrase, though entirely understandable when we are in the throes of frustration or disappointment. I’ve made a career out of busting up that phrase and trying to help others banish it from their thought patterns. I’m all for getting inside a system and learning its inner workings, but once I learn a system the tinkering begins. I get a kick out of seeing how my re-arranging of the rules, no matter how long-standing those rules are, can improve a system.

If you’ve been in a system for a long-time, whether that system is a job, a relationship, the city where you live, it can be a challenge to find joy, to think creatively about any challenges, to make it feel new again. Here are 3 ways to take George Keller’s advice and freshen up your eyes and mind.

1.) Yoga and meditation. (You knew that was coming, right?) No yoga practice, class, or even posture is ever the same experience twice for teachers or students. There is always nuance. Our bodies are different every day – literally. Our rate of cell turnover is tremendous. Some scientific studies say that every month all of our cells – every single one – is entirely new. That means you’re physically a new person every month. And since a yoga and meditation practice often begins in the body, then those practices must be new every time. Embrace the change from your practice, and you’ll be able to embrace change in other areas of your life. That’s yoga’s whole purpose.

2.) Check out the world with a dog or a child. Their eyes are new every day, and their literal and figurative perspective, is very different from that of adults. They are open to the world in ways that we are entirely closed off. We have a lot to learn from them. My nieces, Lorelei and Aubree, and my dog, Phin, show me new ways of thinking whenever I’m with them.

3.) Take in some art. We’re blessed in New York City is have the most incredible art, music, and performance landscape in the world. There is art in some form for every taste. Artists are constantly reinvesting themselves. Their livelihood depends upon reinvention. Let them inspire you to do some reinvention of your own.

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

learning, writing

Beginning: A Little Practice Today Will Go A Long Way Tomorrow

Christa Avampato

A lot of people ask me how I can write every single day. “How can you possibly have time for that?” “Do you sleep?” “Is someone else ghostwriting for you?” “Did you quit your job?” These are actually questions people have asked me – most of them people I’ve never met. Those who know me, whether through this wonderful cyber bloggy world or in every day life already know the answers.

1.) We actually do have time to do things we really want to do.

2.) I used to battle with insomnia but yoga and meditation helped me get some shut eye. Now I sleep better than I have ever slept in my life.

3.) No, no one else writes this blog. I do love my guest posters, though, and they get full credit for their work.

4.) I still have a day job – gotta pay those student loans somehow. And I started my own business, Compass Yoga, on the side.

The trick of how to write every day? Practice. Not complicated. If you really want to write, then write. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day. Put fingers to keyboard, pen to notebook, crayon to paper. Use whatever medium you enjoy and crank. Some of it will be brilliant and a lot of it will be throw-away. That’s okay. You’re just practicing. And the beautiful thing about practice is that the more you do, the better you get. Almost 4 years ago when I started my daily writing journey I wrestled with every word. My delete button was worn out from overuse.

But here’s the thing – I kept going. And now, the words do flow more easily. I find inspiration for my writing everywhere. You will frequently find me scribbling in my moleskin book or typing some note into my phone to write about later. My practice writing and curating creative experiences has made me realize just how much more there is to write about and experience. And that’s what keeps me going.

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

art, dreams

Beginning: Shouting and Drawing Dreams on My New Computer Tablet

Christa Avampato

For Christmas, I bought myself a Wacom – a drawing tablet that attaches to my computer. Sort of like a high-tech Etch-A-Sketch. I have been wanting to do some art work that I can showcase online and this seemed like the best outlet for that. To the left here is my first real doodle – it depicts a dream I had a few weeks ago about standing at the very edge of a cliff and shouting out into a valley. And when I woke up, I felt like a tremendous release had occurred.

I was a little clumsy with the Wacom for the first month that I’ve been trying it out. I would draw a shape and then try to use the paint bucket icon to fill it in. It took me a while to realize that doesn’t work. I actually had to color in a shape myself, just like I would with a paintbrush. I laughed at myself. It’s been so long since I’ve created any visual art that I almost forgot how to do it. I really do need to be doing more art.

I tried to think of a way to write about the experience of my dream, of that release, but no words came to mind. The dream was so visual, that I felt a drawing, albeit not a very sophisticated one, would be a better reflection of it. So here it is – me on the edge, shouting dreams into a valley. My first doodle of the year – what do you think?

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

yoga

Beginning: Yoga with My Eyes Closed At Pure Yoga with Marco Rojas

Christa Avampato

Last weekend I went to Marco Rojas’s yoga class at Pure Yoga. It’s listed as “Vinyasa 2” but it was nothing like any vinyasa class I’ve ever been to. We held poses for a LONG time, dug deep to explore them, and paused after each one to examine how it affected us. I had done all of the postures before, many times in fact, and yet each one felt new. Marco took us to the very edge of our physical practice to suspend our judgment and stop the chatter of our minds. And then he asked to stand on that edge with our eyes closed. We went through the entire class as if we had lost our sense of sight. We were breathless when he gave us the challenge.

How did Marco get this idea to ask us to close our eyes to raise the bar? He was on the top of his game, teaching at Yoga Works to classes filled with 70+ students. His ego was getting the best of him, and then a woman came to his class one day with a dog, a seeing eye dog. Instead of modifying for this woman, he made everyone else in the class modify and have her experience of yoga. He said it changed his teaching and his students forever. They could no longer look outside for a dristi, a focal point. They had to find their focus within. We all do.

If you look within your own heart, where does your focus lie?

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.

This blog is part of the 2011 WordPress Post Every Day Challenge.

creativity, entrepreneurship, teaching, yoga

Beginning: Yoga for Taxi Drivers

Christa Avampato

“We must use time creatively.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” ~ also from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My friend, Erica (of Yogoer fame), sent out a tweet over the weekend that highlighted an article in the Times that described a yoga class created expressly for New York City taxi drivers. Can you imagine a more stressed out group of people? They never know who’s getting into their cars, what those people are bringing into their cars, and they have to contend with the lunacy of New York City Streets. If anyone needs yoga for stress reduction and relaxation, it’s our city’s cab drivers.

That’s exactly the opportunity for goodness that entrepreneurial yoga instructor Andrew Vollo saw and brought to life. “Taxi Yoga” is his creation. He’s been running this class for 7 years and it has grown through his distribution of 3,000 fliers (mostly through a wide variety of houses of religion that the cab drivers attend) and several interviews in channels that cab drivers are likely to patronize. He refused to be discouraged by any naysayers or critics of his cause. He knew what the cab drivers needed because he used to be one himself.

Whether your life has yoga in it or not, Vollo’s story is nothing short of inspiring. Take a look around your world. What does the world need and how does that match what you have to give? There’s so much opportunity for us to be part of one another’s lives in helpful and magical ways. What’s your story? How are you giving to the world around you?

The image above depicts a scene from Vollo’s Monday night class for taxi drivers at LaGuardia Community College. It was taken by Michelle V. Agins.

This blog is also available as a podcast on Cinch and iTunes.