Heartbreaking Robbery Hits New Kent Community

First, I want to say thank you for opening the link. It tells us that you care about Balance Hot Yoga, Piper and I. Second, we never visualized ourselves being on this side asking for community help before serving it. We like to be the ones HELPING. Both Piper and I have recognized throughout this experience that we internalize a bit more then we thought and often try to fix things on our own. Leaning in and asking for a hand can be very difficult. Funny, we both make a living asking people to trust us so we can support them. While this is uncomfortable, I understand that it is also growth. Lastly, we want to stand in faith and lead with our action. We are here to serve and start this new Kent community. Over the last 15 years, together we have made many connections, and our desire has always been to lift others up to their highest potential. This is not just about the city of Kent and the studio that stands at this address, this is also a place for Piper's Global Soul to soar.

Why this is important to me? Many of you may already know, I did an about face from high heels in corporate America to barefoot yoga teacher. I stopped selling products and ads and now I promote hopes and dreams. I dedicated my entire career to supporting people exactly where they are, reminding them they belong and are worthy. Sometimes, that looks like a big hug on a bad day. Other times, it's a healthy nudge to follow the wildest dreams. I have been helping people connect since childhood, so this comes naturally for me and straight from my heart. It's where I feel comfort too. My leadership background spans from sports teams, HS Drill team officer, platoon guide in the US ARMY to opening and running over a dozen studios to date. My goal is to help other teachers find the courage to open their own studios and build communities. We need safe spaces to feel the emotions and move through it.

Yoga helped me tremendously with stress and depression when substance and medication were available options. The relationships and connections formed often time replicate family. These spaces allowed me to develop as a person and as a dreamer. When you find your tribe and feel supported without a doubt you expand. This is why I followed my heart and my vision to share my knowledge and assist Piper with her dreams and vision.

Piper and I met in 2008 where we both took and graduated our first of many yoga teacher trainings. She also had a "secure" corporate job that paid well. One of our favorite shared memories is when we were sitting on the curb in front of the yoga studio, and she was trying to decide if she should quit her job to teach yoga teachers. At this time, it was not a popular career choice. My little nudge to her was "Bold moves and baby steps". If you are part of our yoga family, you know she took the leap. Thank goodness because she has since graduated yoga teachers all over the world and many of them live in the PNW. Her business Global Soul Yoga is a host of happiness and knowledge. From daily offerings and 200hr trainings. We had always done business side by side but recently decided Piper needed a place to call home, root and share her offerings and when she found a place in Kent she loved, I of course said YES!

Without a doubt, she deserves to have a space to share her talents. I have had over a decade in studio build outs and development that I want to share. Piper used that same time frame to build up teachers and love on students. We signed the papers and started with enthusiasm. High hopes kept us afloat after the first set of hiccups. Unpredictable things like- paid contractors nowhere to be found, unattainable permits due to missing drawings from preexisting tenants work, updated building requirements, lack of contractors after Covid. With our tenacity and perseverance, we reached out to our connections and found friends and family to assist us. With a new GM and family on board, we got our hand dirty and got to work building.

We made great progress and were so excited to open this month. We had purchased all of the remaining supplies; and tools needed to get to completion. We had them at the studio in the middle of the room under a tarp to protect them from the paint that is still fresh. The lobby was scheduled to be completed only instead of coming in Sunday for the last coat of stain on the countertop, we were meeting with the police and a locksmith.

We were devastated, to learn that so much of our belongings were gone. They took tools, ladders, fixtures, supplies- down to the toilet still in the box!

After looking at surveillance, we can see the truck, watch them shovel in the goods and take off but we don't have enough evidence to look for them or the items. It appears that so many of the items may not be covered with our insurance policy and the worst part about it is the job is again stopped. It will take time to get the supplies ordered and delivered again, and time to find the resources to buy them again. Rent will be due again and we are just unsure how much longer we can continue to pay the rent for an empty space.

After sharing with a friend of mine she requested that we share our story boldly the way we would encourage others to do, and many people have already asked how they can help.

Piper and I are humbling asking that if we have made an impact on your life in any way, if you can pay it forward so that we can continue to impact others. We know the power of community and are hoping that together we can bring this project to life and continue to spread the love and support that so many of us need in today's existence.

For more- below is the story that was written for us by a dear friend and submitted to the news stations. Thank you for your continued support- to stay connected please follow our IG, Facebook or both.

"Balance Hot Yoga's new Kent community fell victim to a heartbreaking robbery, leaving the owners and their friends defeated but determined to persevere.

Piper and Angela, the passionate and tenacious owners of Balance Hot Yoga Kent, spent the last year putting in their blood, sweat, and tears to create a safe and welcoming space for the Kent community. Their shared dream was on the cusp of becoming a reality, with weeks to go before the grand opening. However, in a cruel turn of fate, their dreams were shattered when an unknown intruder broke in and stole valuable items, down to the boxed toilet.

The incident has left Piper, Angela, and their friends heartbroken and in a state of disbelief. The stolen items, including tools and materials, are not just physical losses but also represent countless hours of effort and sacrifice.

Despite the overwhelming setback, the community has come together to support Piper and Angela in their time of need. Friends of the studio have initiated a GoFundMe campaign and an Amazon wish list to help the owners replace the stolen items and offset the unexpected financial burden caused by the robbery.

Surveillance footage captured the heart-wrenching incident, showing the thief in action. The community is hopeful that the footage will assist law enforcement in identifying and bringing the perpetrator to justice.

Piper and Angela are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support and love from their community. They are determined to rise above this setback and ensure that Balance Hot Yoga Kent opens its doors to provide a place of healing, community, and serenity as they originally envisioned."

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