Terms & Conditions and Participant Agreement
Please carefully read all the terms and conditions of this agreement detailed below before registering for an event held at 14220 Country Club Court, Ashland, VA 23005 (“Retreat”) which is also a private residence with surrounding property.
For and in consideration for being permitted to participate in an event held at the Retreat, you agree to accept and be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein.
Use of amenities
The retreat covers approximately one acre and has various amenities and natural areas including a Zen meditation garden, serenity stream, yoga platform, labyrinth, hammocks, and fire pit which will be used at your own risk. The golf course across the stream is private property and off limits to guests unless accompanied by Retreat personnel. You agree to hold the property owners harmless should you incur an injury or other loss during your visit.
Smoking
There will be no smoking permitted on the property and surrounding areas with the exception of one outdoor location near the garage which will be reserved for smoking. Violation of this portion of the agreement is grounds for termination of the agreement with no training refund.
Alcohol
No alcohol will be served on the property. In the event guests bring alcohol and/or share it with other guests, you agree that consumption of alcoholic beverages is entirely at your own risk. You also agree that, at the property owners’ discretion, you may be asked to leave if you become disorderly or disruptive. This applies to any troublesome behavior regardless of whether it is alcohol induced or not.
Phone
Please mute your cell phones (including vibrate mode) during workshop or class sessions. Free time will be provided throughout the day for personal cell phone use.
Food
We will either be ordering food from licensed establishments to eat during our training, or meals will be prepared by property owners, their employees, contractors, or friends. Property owners shop at reputable food stores and buy mostly organic food when available. Property owners keep all food in their home in the proper atmosphere and at the temperature appropriate for the food. Property owners will do their best to accommodate your culinary needs. In the unlikely event that a food product causes any kind of allergic reaction or illness, you agree not to hold Property owners and their various companies liable.
Accommodations
In the event you stay overnight at the home of the property owners, you are not paying to stay overnight. All payments/charges are for seminars, workshops, classes or training and meals (when provided). The property owners’ home is not a hotel or bed and breakfast. The property owners’ home does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, nor does their home have a fire sprinkler system. You agree to hold the property owners and their various companies harmless if you should sustain any injuries while on the property.
In case of injury
There is a health care provider who is trained in Basic Life Support present and a first aid kit is on hand. In case of an emergency, 911 will be called on your behalf. The emergency contact number you have provided in your registration will also be called. If you become injured for any reason during the course of your training, you agree to hold the property owners and their various companies harmless. In the event you are injured while participating in a Retreat activity, you agree to assume all financial obligations for any and all medical costs you incur arising out of your participation in the retreat activities. Our detailed health and fitness terms and conditions are listed at the bottom of this page.
Photography
We want to share our awesome experiences. You are welcome to take pictures and short video as long as these are respectful and not disruptive to the events. By the same token, by attending workshops, book-club meetings and/or retreat programs you agree to be photographed or appear in our promotional videos for our website or to be shared on social media or in advertising. Our detailed photography terms and conditions are listed at the bottom of this page.
Computers
You are welcome to bring a laptop computer or a tablet for your own note taking and digital communications. We will have two wifi enabled workstations with wifi keyboards available for you. Please be respectful with regard to this and other shared resources. If you do not bring a laptop computer, we will not have a public computer available.
Safety
You agree to tell at least one other person if you are going to the gardens, to sit near the stream, or on a hike. If you plan an early workout or walk, please tell property owners the night before. You agree to use only designated plastic or paper beverage containers, paper plates, and plastic flatware when leaving the house and on the grounds. For safety reasons, no glassware or metal flatware is allowing on the grounds outside the house. For similar reasons, no food or beverage is allowed in the indoor meditation areas.
Dress Code
Property owners are non-judgmental with regard to nudity and body image, but to respect the comfort level of all guests you agree to stay appropriately clothed at all times. This means no skinny dipping in the serenity stream, or if staying overnight, no walking from shower to bedroom unclothed. The co-ed sleeping arrangements and bathroom facilities require a full wrap around towels and/or bathrobe. The kitchen, living room and all common areas require at least casual attire, with sandals or flip flops at a minimum. Street shoes must be removed to go upstairs, and sandals can be worn. If you do not have sandals, these will be provided. Shoes may be worn throughout the rest of the house, except on the carpeted area meant for yoga and meditation. Bare feet are discouraged for safety reasons, indoors and outdoors, and sandals or flip flops at a minimum should be worn instead.
Facility failure
Mechanical problems with the house, for example a clogged toilet, power outage, or a broken air conditioner could be a potential real world condition. Flooding of the grounds due to heavy rains and high water in the stream can occur in spring and fall. You agree that you will be as flexible and pleasant as possible while property owners and staff find a solution to any problem that may crop up. Property owners will make every effort to keep your training from being disrupted. In the event of a total power outage or some other unforeseen event which is out of property owner’s control you agree to hold property owners harmless for the inconvenience you may suffer. You will be eligible for a full or partial refund of your workshop/retreat fees at property owners’ discretion depending on when the adverse act occurred and how long it lasted. Your travel costs are not reimbursable.
Facility damage
You agree to take normal care of property owners’ home and you agree to be liable for any damage you cause over and above simple accidental damage like beverage spills or broken dishes.
Refunds / Cancellations
This is a very limited workshop/retreat with only 10 slots available. If you sign up and pay for the workshop or retreat and then cancel anytime within one week of the retreat date, you will be liable for 25% of the fees paid (the other half refunded to you) for property owners attempt to find someone to fill your slot and the time required for the additional processing necessary to accommodate another participant.
There are no workshop/retreat refunds for dissatisfaction with the accommodations which are provided free to invited overnight workshop/retreat attendees. If you know yourself to be fussy or generally a hard person to please, you might consider commuting from home to best benefit from the workshops. If you are an easygoing person and pride yourself on flexibility and acceptance of what is, then you will have a great time if you accept an invitation to stay overnight for free.
Detailed Photography Terms and Conditions
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby grant to Michael Shaw residing at 14220 Country Club Ct, Ashland VA 23005 USA, the Photographer’s assigns, and those persons acting with the Photographer’s authority and permission, the right to take and create photographs/videos and other still and/or moving images (in all formats) and other graphical depictions incorporating my likeness, in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter created (the “Content”). I hereby agree that all rights in and to the Content, including the copyright, are and shall remain the sole property of the Photographer, free and clear from any claims by me or anyone acting on my behalf. The Photographer’s rights include, but are not limited to, the rights, in perpetuity, to use, re-use, publish, and re-publish the Content; alter, modify or otherwise change the Content in any manner the Photographer desires; combine the Content with textual matter and/or with other pictures and/or media; and, use the Content for illustration, promotion, art, editorial, advertising, trade, publishing, or any other purpose whatsoever. Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of my image or recording. I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless the Photographer, the Photographer’s heirs, legal representatives and assigns, and all persons acting under the Photographer’s authority or those for whom he/she is acting, from any liability by virtue of any use of the Content or any changes or alterations made thereto. I hereby warrant that I am of full legal age and have the right to contract in my own name. I have read the above authorization, release and agreement, prior to its execution, and I am fully familiar with the contents thereof. This release shall be binding upon me and my heirs, legal representatives and assigns.
Health and Fitness Eligibility Terms and Conditions
You represent that you are over the age of eighteen (18) and are healthy, in good physical and mental health, and are at a level appropriate to participate in, and are fully capable of participating in, the Retreat. You further represent that you do not suffer from any medical conditions or disabilities that may restrict, limit, prevent, or preclude your participation in the Retreat, including any Physical Activities. You have consulted with your physician and your physician has authorized you to participate in the Retreat, including any Physical Activities. You will discuss and address any questions or concerns you may have about your physical or mental health with the appropriate health care professional prior to the Departure Date. Documentation from your physician confirming your clearance to participate in the Retreat can be provided upon request. If, at any time, you have any doubts about your physical condition or fitness to participate in any aspect of the Retreat, you will cease participation in the same and seek appropriate medical attention. YOU ARE HEREBY ADVISED THAT THE RETREAT MAY TAKE PLACE IN REMOTE AREAS WHERE THERE IS LITTLE OR NO ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL MEDICAL SERVICES OR HOSPITAL FACILITIES FOR SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES (OR YOUR PARTICULAR HEALTH ISSUES). YOU ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT ANY MEDICAL OR EVACUATION EXPENSES WILL BE YOUR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY. As a result, we strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance with appropriate coverage for your needs. We reserve the right in our sole discretion to refuse your participation in the Retreat, any Retreat Classes, Physical Activities, and/or any other activities, due to medical, fitness, or other grounds. The Retreat also reserves the right to deny participation in the Retreat or any related activities at any time to individuals demonstrating behavior that may result in injury to themselves or others.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK. You understand that serious accidents may occur during Physical Activities, including without limitation yoga and Retreat Classes, and that participants can sustain fatal and/or serious personal injury. As stated above, the Retreat may take place in a remote location where there is little or no access to traditional medical services or hospital facilities for serious and/or particular health issues. You may also be visiting places where the political, cultural, and geographical attributes of the location present risks and physical challenges that are greater than those present in your country of residence. It is your own responsibility to familiarize yourself with all possible relevant travel information in connection with your participation in the Retreat. Understanding and in full consideration of the foregoing, you agree to solely and exclusively assume full and complete responsibility for and the risks inherent in travel and engaging in Physical Activity (including yoga and Retreat Classes) which may include injury, death, property damage, and/or any other kind of Liability, whether foreseen or unforeseen, which may occur during your participation in the Retreat. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOUR DECISION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RETREAT IS MADE IN FULL CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING INFORMATION AND THAT YOU SOLELY AND EXCLUSIVELY ASSUME THE RISKS INVOLVED WITH PARTICIPATING IN THE RETREAT. IN NO EVENT WILL THE RETREAT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LIABILITIES ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE RETREAT.