Retreat Participation Agreement,
Liability Release & Assumption of Risk

The retreat is held at the Samadhi Sacred Valley property in Cusco, Peru, and is led by Barbara Fretes. Programming includes guided yoga classes, meditation, pranayama, workshops, plant-based meals, and cultural excursions which may include visits to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Specific dates, schedules, instructors, menus, excursions, accommodations, transportation arrangements, and itineraries are subject to change at the Organizer’s sole discretion due to weather, government regulation, availability, safety, or other circumstances beyond the Organizer’s control.

• Lodging at the Samadhi Sacred Valley property for the retreat duration.
• Plant-based meals, fruits, and snacks as scheduled by the Organizer.
• Daily yoga classes, meditation, pranayama, and workshops led by Barbara Fretes.
• Group excursions and cultural immersion activities as listed in the published itinerary.

Not included: international or domestic airfare, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages, spa or healing services not listed in the itinerary, private transportation, gratuities, and any expenses incurred outside of scheduled programming.

• A non-refundable deposit of US $1,000 is required to secure the Participant’s place.
• The remaining balance is due no later than sixty (60) days prior to the retreat start date, unless an alternative written payment plan has been agreed by the Organizer.
• Accepted payment methods include the Organizer’s payment-link provider, Zelle, and Venmo. Payment plans are available upon written request.
• If full payment is not received by the applicable due date, the Participant’s reservation may be forfeited without refund and the spot released.
• All prices are listed in U.S. Dollars. Participant is responsible for any bank, currency-conversion, or transaction fees.

The US $1,000 deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable under all circumstances. No refunds, credits, or discounts will be issued for arriving late, leaving early, missed sessions, flight cancellations, travel delays, denied boarding, lost luggage, illness, injury, family emergencies, weather events, government action, or any other cause. Cancellation refunds beyond the deposit are calculated as follows, based on the number of days between the Organizer’s written receipt of the cancellation request and the retreat start date:

• 61 days or more prior: 50% refund of amounts paid in excess of the non-refundable $1,000 deposit.
• 31 to 60 days prior: 20% refund of amounts paid in excess of the non-refundable $1,000 deposit.
• 0 to 30 days prior: no refund of any kind.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to shrutiyogaretreats@gmail.com. The cancellation effective date is the date the Organizer acknowledges receipt of the written request. Refunds, when due, will be issued within thirty (30) days and may exclude non-recoverable third-party fees (e.g., bank charges, processor fees, supplier deposits).

Travel Insurance — Strongly Recommended. The Participant is strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, interruption, medical evacuation, and personal property. The Organizer is not responsible for any losses that would otherwise be covered by travel insurance.

The Organizer reserves the right to modify the itinerary, instructors, accommodations, or excursions; to substitute services of comparable value; or to postpone or cancel the retreat in the event of insufficient enrollment, force majeure, government restriction, natural disaster, civil unrest, pandemic, epidemic, public-health order, transportation disruption, supplier failure, or any other circumstance beyond the Organizer’s reasonable control. If the Organizer cancels the retreat outright, the Participant’s sole and exclusive remedy is a credit toward a future Shruti Retreats program of equal value, valid for twenty-four (24) months, or, at the Organizer’s sole discretion, a refund of amounts paid less any non-recoverable third-party expenses. The Organizer is not liable for any consequential, incidental, or indirect costs (including airfare, visas, or pre- or post-retreat travel arrangements).

Participant represents and warrants that he/she/they is in good physical and mental health and able to participate fully and safely in yoga, meditation, breathwork, hiking, and the other physical activities offered. Participant agrees to disclose in writing, prior to arrival, all pre-existing medical, physical, or psychological conditions, pregnancies, allergies, dietary restrictions, medications, and any other limitations that could be relevant. Participant agrees to consult a qualified physician before traveling and before participating in any activity if there is any doubt regarding fitness to participate. Participant assumes full responsibility for the decision to participate.

Altitude Notice: the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu exceed 7,500 feet / 2,300 meters. Participants with heart, lung, or blood-pressure conditions should consult a physician before attending.

Participant understands and acknowledges that yoga, meditation, breathwork, hiking at high altitude, international and rural travel, ceremony, exposure to high altitude, foreign cuisine, and the activities offered during the retreat involve inherent and unavoidable risks, including but not limited to: muscle strains, sprains, fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries; falls; altitude sickness; dehydration; heat or cold exposure; food-borne or water-borne illness; allergic reactions; exposure to insects, animals, and infectious disease; emotional or psychological distress; lost, damaged or stolen property; transportation accidents; criminal acts of third parties; and, in extreme cases, serious illness, permanent disability, or death. Participant knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly assumes all such risks, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, and accepts personal and sole responsibility for any resulting damages, injuries, illness, or losses.

In consideration of being permitted to participate, the Participant, on behalf of himself/herself/themself and his/her/their heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns, and next of kin, hereby releases, waives, discharges, and covenants not to sue Shruti Retreats, Shruti Yoga LLC, Barbara Fretes, and their respective owners, officers, employees, instructors, agents, contractors, volunteers, venue providers (including without limitation the Samadhi Sacred Valley property and its operators), transportation providers, guides, and affiliates (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever, including those arising out of the negligence of the Released Parties, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, illness, injury, or death sustained in connection with the retreat or Participant’s travel to or from the retreat.

Participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, judgments, settlements, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to (i) Participant’s participation in the retreat, (ii) any act or omission of the Participant, (iii) the Participant’s breach of this Agreement, or (iv) any injury, illness, or property damage caused by the Participant.

Participant authorizes the Organizer, in the event of injury or illness and where Participant is unable to consent, to secure first aid and emergency medical treatment, including transport to a hospital or medical facility, at Participant’s sole expense. Participant agrees that the Released Parties have no duty to provide medical care and are not liable for any decisions made in good faith in connection with such care.

Participant agrees to behave respectfully toward instructors, staff, fellow participants, host communities, property, and local laws and customs. The Organizer reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without refund, to remove from the retreat any Participant whose behavior is unsafe, disruptive, harassing, illegal, or otherwise inconsistent with the spirit of the retreat. Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited.

Participant grants the Organizer an irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to record, photograph, film, and reproduce the Participant’s likeness, voice, and statements made during the retreat, and to use the resulting material in any medium (including websites, social media, printed materials, and advertising) for promotional, educational, and editorial purposes, without further notice, approval, or compensation. Participant may opt out of being featured by notifying the Organizer in writing prior to the retreat.

Participant is solely responsible for obtaining and maintaining a valid passport, any required visas, vaccinations, prescriptions, and travel documents, and for complying with all entry, exit, customs, health, and other requirements of Peru and any country of transit. The Organizer is not responsible for denial of entry or other consequences arising from missing or improper documentation.

Hotels, transportation, restaurants, guides, healers, and other vendors used during the retreat are independent contractors and not employees, agents, or partners of the Organizer. The Organizer does not own, operate, manage, control, or supervise these third parties, and is not responsible or liable for their acts, omissions, negligence, products, services, or representations.

The Organizer does not provide medical, health, travel, evacuation, accident, life, or property insurance for Participants. Participant is solely responsible for arranging and paying for any such coverage.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Released Parties’ aggregate liability for any and all claims arising out of or related to the retreat or this Agreement is limited to the total amount actually paid by the Participant to the Organizer for the retreat. In no event shall the Released Parties be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, punitive, or exemplary damages, including lost profits, lost enjoyment, or loss of use, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, United States, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the retreat shall first be submitted to good-faith negotiation, and, if unresolved, to confidential binding arbitration administered in Broward County, Florida, in the English language, before a single arbitrator. Judgment on the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. The Participant waives any right to participate in a class, collective, or representative action.

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect, and the invalid provision shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable. The Organizer’s failure to enforce any provision shall not be deemed a waiver. This Agreement, together with any written addenda and the retreat booking confirmation, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior discussions, representations, or agreements concerning its subject matter.

Participant agrees that an electronic signature, a typed name, a scanned signature, or a signed PDF returned by email shall have the same legal force and effect as an original handwritten signature.