The Storm Floods That Shook Us, the Community That Held Us

One year ago, the surges and high waters of Hurricane Helene swept through our town, leaving behind destruction none of us could have imagined. The Yoga Sanctuary, a space of refuge and practice for so many, was battered and bruised. In those first days, when the work of cleanup and rebuilding felt insurmountable, something extraordinary happened: our community showed up.

Friends, students, and neighbors rolled up their sleeves and helped us clear debris, restore the grounds, and begin the slow process of healing the space. Teachers and students carried what could be saved upstairs, protecting it from further damage. The water during Helene was thigh-high, but the muck left behind, though messy, felt manageable. What could be salvaged was scrubbed; what could not was hauled away. Our beloved cork floor was carried out piece by piece, piled high at the road, then frantically disposed of as the news of the second storm approached.

And then, just ten days later, Hurricane Milton arrived. With it came more devastation: higher floodwaters, more homes and businesses affected, and a new wave of mud, muck, and debris. The streets filled once again, this time with what had only just been pulled from people’s homes, floating through town and landing wherever it chose. Recycling bins, garbage cans, refrigerators, furniture and more drifted through the streets, and even a queen-sized mattress found its way down our driveway. The weight of it all felt crushing.

And still, our community showed up. People returned to help once again, lending hands, hearts, and hope where it was most needed. Donations poured in week after week. They gave us not only the means to rebuild, but also the reassurance that our community was determined to see us through.

Where We Are Now

Today, as we look around the studio, it’s hard to believe what we came through just a year ago. The walls vibrate with the sound of practice, the boutique is filled with laughter and conversation, and our classes are alive with breath and movement. The gardens and grasses around the studio that had been flooded, destroyed, and torn apart now bloom again, and perhaps even more vibrantly than before, reminding us of nature’s ability to return, season after season.

Inside, our space has been renewed. A gorgeous new floor stretches across the entire downstairs, grounding every step we take. The fresh green of the walls is bright and inviting, a slight change in color that seems to hold both calm and vitality at once. It is beautiful. Yet what makes it most meaningful is not just the way it looks, but the life and energy that fills it each day.

Most importantly, our community has not only endured, it has flourished. This past year, The Yoga Sanctuary has welcomed new teachers, expanded offerings, and continued to partner with local organizations close to our hearts, like the Peace River Wildlife Center. We’ve celebrated retreats, hosted workshops, and shared in both the quiet moments on the mat and the joyful moments off it.

A Community, Not a Single Face

If there’s one truth this past year has made abundantly clear, it is this: The Yoga Sanctuary is not just one face, one teacher, or even one space. It is all of us, together. This is sangha, a community bound not by walls but by shared care and commitment. Every class taught, every mat rolled out, every hand that helped move, sweep, organize, power wash, clean, plant, water, donate, or simply show up for class in the midst of construction and rebuilding—each of these acts is part of what has made us whole again.

With Gratitude

This anniversary is not only a marker of time; it is a reminder of resilience, generosity, and love in action. Thank you to everyone who walked with us through those challenging days, and thank you to everyone who continues to help our community grow and thrive. These selfless acts are the very heart of karma yoga, yoga in action, expressed through hands that helped, voices that encouraged, and hearts that gave.

May our practice together continue to remind us that even after the fiercest storms, there is always a way forward.

With love and gratitude,
All of us at The Yoga Sanctuary 💚🙏💚