Liability Waiver:

I am voluntarily participating in physical exercise that can be strenuous and subject to risk of serious injury during a Yoga Retreat. Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) urges you to obtain a physical examination from a doctor before beginning any exercise or training program. You agree that by participating in these physical exercise sessions or personal training activities, is at your own risk. I recognize that exercise is not without some risk to the musculoskeletal system (e.g. sprain, strain) and cardiorespiratory system (e.g. dizziness, fainting, abnormal heartbeat, discomfort in breathing, abnormal blood pressure response, and in rare instances, heart attack or stroke).  I acknowledge that not all risks can be known in advance. I HEREBY, for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, or personal representatives (hereinafter collectively, “Releasor,” “I” or “me”, which terms shall also include Releasor’s parents or guardian if Releasor is under 18 years of age), knowingly and voluntarily enter into this WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY and hereby waive any and all rights, claims or causes of action of any kind arising out of my participation in the Activity. I HEREBY release and forever discharge Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga), their affiliates, managers, members, agents, attorneys, staff, volunteers, heirs, representatives, predecessors, successors and assigns (collectively “Releasees”), from any physical or psychological injury that I may suffer as a direct result of my participation in the aforementioned Activity. I FURTHER AGREE to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all claims, suits or actions of any kind whatsoever for liability, damages, compensation or otherwise brought by me or anyone on my behalf, including attorney fees and any related costs. I FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE that Releasees are not responsible for errors, omissions, acts or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific event or activity on behalf of Releasees. In the event that I should require medical care or treatment, I authorize Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) to provide all emergency medical care deemed necessary, including but not limited to, first aid, CPR, the use of AEDs, emergency medical transport, and sharing of medical information with medical personnel.  I further agree to assume all costs involved and agree to be financially responsible for any costs incurred as a result of such treatment. I am aware and understand that I should carry my own health insurance. In the event that any damage to equipment, field or facilities occurs as a result of my or my family’s or my agent’s willful actions, neglect or recklessness, I acknowledge and agree to be held liable for any and all costs associated with any such actions of neglect or recklessness. Both participant and Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) agree that this agreement is clear and unambiguous as to its terms, and that no other evidence shall be used or admitted altering or explain the terms of this agreement, but that it will be interpreted based on the language in accordance with the purposes for which it is entered into.

Retreat Cancellation, Payment and Refund Policies

Cancellation due to external circumstances:

If we are forced to postpone or cancel your retreat due to a significant event that makes it infeasible to operate the retreat as planned (including, but not limited to, natural disasters, manmade disasters, COVID-19, other diseases/pandemics, travel restrictions, etc.) Metta Yoga  will make every effort to refund any balance of payments made.

In some circumstances, we will have incurred non-refundable costs from our venues, tour and travel providers. In those cases, we will offer credit towards a future retreat that is the equivalent value of the credit that we receive from these providers. Credit must be used within 12 months of the trip cancellation.

Metta Yoga is not responsible for airline tickets, insurance coverage, non-refundable hotel reservations or any other travel related goods and services purchased directly by passengers.

 

Cancellation due to too few participants:

Fortunately, we have never had to cancel a retreat due to too few participants. However, in the unlikely event that we do cancel a retreat due to low attendance, we will refund you all deposits and any payments made.

 

Participant Cancellation:

If you cancel your participation in a retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy below will apply, with no exceptions.

There will be no refunds or discounts for:

• Arriving late
• Leaving early
• Flight cancellations
• Travel Delays
• Illness

We know life happens and we wish we could compensate our travelers for unforeseen circumstances, but please understand that we have costs incurred when reserving retreat centers and booking private tours. We have designed our cancellation policy to be as compassionate as possible in case your plans change, but to protect yourself, we strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance (see below for suggestions).

 

Cancellation Schedule:

 

To officially cancel, you must send an email stating that you wish to do so to mila@mettayoga.studio & lois@sondayoga.life. Deposits are non-refundable; however, unless otherwise indicated in the retreat’s description/details, travelers who cancel 90+ days prior to the retreat start date may apply $500 towards another retreat occurring within 12 months of their originally scheduled trip.

If subsequent payments have been made, and unless otherwise indicated in the retreat’s description/details, travelers who cancel 90+ days in advance will receive the $500. credit towards another retreat occurring within 12 months of the original retreat start date and a refund of 50% of the additional payment(s).

At 90 days prior to the retreat start date, there are no refunds or credits. However, if you wish to gift your reservation to another traveler, you may do so by providing us with their information (name, email address and phone number) at the time of your cancellation. 

 

Changes to Travel:

We will make every effort to operate all retreats as advertised. We reserve the right to alter or cancel the retreat or make reasonable substitutions as deemed necessary. In the event of cancellation, our liability, if any, shall be limited to and liquidated by refund or credit to each prospective participant.

 

Payment Information:

Deposit: Unless otherwise indicated in your retreat invitation email, $650.00 reserves your spot.

Subsequent Payments: the payment schedule for each retreat varies and often depends upon our agreement with the venue. Metta Yoga will provide a specific payment schedule for each retreat. Payment is due on or before the dates provided. If payment is not received by the due date, the traveler will incur a late fee of $50.00, plus 5% of the outstanding balance. If the payment is not received within 30 days of the due date, the traveler forfeits his/her reservation with no refund.

 

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend travel insurance so that you are covered if an emergency prevents you from arriving at the retreat on the start date. We do not offer any refunds for any reason, as we are liable to our vendors for full payment, whether or not you attend the retreat. For travel insurance, you can check with your credit card company, your insurance company, or use a website such as https://www.squaremouth.com to find the insurance that is right for you.

 

Right To Amend

You can review the most current version of these terms at any time. Metta Yoga reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to update any part of these terms by posting revisions to our website. Please check the website periodically for changes. Your continued use of the site or service following the posting of any updates to these terms constitutes acceptance of those changes.

Revised August 2025

Photo/Video Release:

I hereby grant Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of its publications, including web- based publications, without payment or other consideration. I understand and agree that all photos will become the property of the Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) and will not be returned. I hereby irrevocably authorize Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any lawful purpose. In addition, I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein my likeness appears. Additionally, I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photo. I hereby hold harmless, release, and forever discharge Mila Burgess (Metta Yoga) / Lois Cromwell (Sonda Yoga) from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators, or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of this authorization. I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE PHOTO RELEASE. I AFFIRM THAT I AM AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE, OR, IF I AM UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE, I HAVE OBTAINED THE REQUIRED CONSENT OF MY PARENTS/GUARDIANS AS EVIDENCED BY THEIR SIGNATURES BELOW. I ACCEPT:

No Smoking and No Drug Policy:

Our wellness retreats are intended to help optimize our participants’ health. As such, we foster a smoke and drug free environment throughout the retreat experience. This policy covers all rooms, common areas and grounds of the resort property and includes any off site group activities, side trips, excursions and tours. Smoking (inhaling, exhaling, burning, vaping, or carrying any lighted cigarette, cigar, cartridge, pipe or any other device containing tobacco, oil/liquid, leaf, weed, plant or other products) is strictly prohibited. Our drug free policy bans the recreational use of illegal drugs at all times. I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE POLICY.