Flood Recovery for The Newtown Yoga Center

Please help support the recovery efforts to restore our beautiful studio and continue the legacy of The Newtown Yoga Center's intention of "creating a thousand years of peace, one breath at a time."

The resilience of Aline Marie & The Newtown Yoga Center has been tested yet again. After extensive work, excavation, new drainage and fail-safes added to the property from 3 previous floods, we all hoped it would be the last time the studio would have to be gutted, professionally cleaned, and rebuilt.

Mother Nature had other plans on Sunday, 8/18/24 with 12" of rain in Newtown and dangerous flash flooding. The extent of the damage this time surpasses anything we have ever seen or could have prepared for.

The river jumped the road on both sides and filled the studio property like a swimming pool, overwhelming all the new drainage and sump pumps and backup systems. It filled so quickly that it also ran over the retaining wall that was put in to protect the studio from flooding.

Over 24 inches of water pushed in front of the doors and the sump pumps couldn't keep up with the amount of water coming in. The entire bottom of the building became filled with over 18 inches of standing water pulling up the floors, damaging everything it submerged.

The entire studio was completely destroyed. From the heaters, electrical outlets, floors, walls, insulation, moldings, furniture, props, supplies, to the irreplaceable memories & tokens of appreciation that members of the community have generously gifted the studio.

Because this was a natural disaster and deemed loss due to flooding, insurance refuses to cover a dime nor honor any facet of the business interruption clause. Flood insurance isn't permitted unless you are in an area deemed a flood risk so that has not been an option to obtain, or she would have had it.

In the past, Aline's amazing landlord has generously footed the bill to repair floors, walls, and upgrades to drainage and the land. And Aline, each time, has rebuilt the studio-- replacing props, furniture and supplies out of her own pocket so that a sacred space for yoga, meditation, education, & wellness can continue on.

Her landlord is yet again rising to the level of superhero to repair the building and rework the topography of the land. But the cost to rebuild the actual business, renting temporary spaces, recovering the props, supplies, furniture, loss of income, falls solely on Aline.

There isn't an amount that can be named for the emotional toll this has taken on the community not having safe space to find peace consistently. As well as on Aline, having her business completely destroyed for the 4th time-- and this time the most devastating.

Her friends and fellow teachers have been moved to come together & create this fundraiser to reach out to the world for a miracle.

Aline is a true earth-angel and touches the hearts of everyone she comes in contact with.

"We are all walking each other home." Ram Dass

The Newtown Yoga Center & Peace on Demand are the beautiful platforms she has created to share her gifts in person & online.

BEFORE: Our peaceful studio in the spring with its repairs and fail-safes.

AFTER: Under 2 feet of water, and the aftermath.

After the water receded.

Any amount donated will be appreciated beyond measure & put to good use. Water always finds a way. And so does love.

Thank you for your generosity.