I, the undersigned, wish to participate in one or more online and/or in-person satsang, workshop, retreat, telephone and/or video calls, and/or other spiritual offerings (“Offerings”) provided by Nataraj Kutir, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company, and any individuals or entities acting with its permission on its behalf (collectively, “Nataraj Kutir”). As a precondition to participating in the Offerings, I have read the following Participation Waiver and Release Agreement (“Waiver”) and agree to its terms.
1. Age Representation. I represent and warrant that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and have the full legal capacity to enter into this Waiver.
2. Recording and Photography Notice. I understand that the Offerings may be captured by or on behalf of Nataraj Kutir through audio and/or video recording during online sessions ("Online Recordings") and through audio and/or video recording and still photography during in-person events ("In-Person Media"). Online Recordings will capture my voice and/or name if I choose to speak during the session. Sessions and activities at in-person events may be photographed and/or recorded, and such In-Person Media may depict my face, portions of my body, my voice, and/or my first name. Online Recordings and In-Person Media may be distributed to participants and posted publicly, including without limitation on Nataraj Kutir’s website, social media channels, and promotional materials.
3. Privacy Acknowledgment. I understand that any verbal contributions I make during the Offerings may be captured and shared publicly as part of the Online Recordings or In-Person Media. I agree to take personal responsibility for what I choose to share in any portion of the Offerings.
4. Voluntary Participation. I understand that my participation in all Offerings, whether online, by phone, video call, or in person, is entirely voluntary. I am under no obligation to speak during online sessions and may remain silent if I do not wish for my voice or name to be recorded. During In-Person events, I am under no obligation to participate in any specific activity and I may decline to engage in any portion of the event in which I am uncomfortable participating. I acknowledge that declining participation in certain activities does not remove or diminish the acknowledgment of risks set forth in Section 5 of this Waiver, and I accept all risks associated with those portions of the Offerings in which I choose to participate.
5. Acknowledgment of Physical and Psychological Risks. I understand that: (i) participation in the Offerings, whether online, by phone, video call, or in person, may involve emotional, psychological, and/or spiritual exploration that can bring up challenging thoughts, feelings, or memories; (ii) in-person events may involve light physical activities, including without limitation hiking or walking on uneven terrain, which carry inherent risks such as slips, trips, falls, or exposure to natural elements; and (iii) I may have the opportunity to prepare, handle, and/or consume food during in-person events. By participating, I voluntarily assume all such risks, whether known or unknown, and accept full responsibility for any resulting illness, physical injury, mental distress, or other harm. If I choose to prepare, handle, or consume any food provided at an in-person event, I accept full responsibility for disclosing any food allergies or dietary restrictions to Nataraj Kutir, and I assume all risk of physical harm arising from either not making such disclosures or not inquiring about the ingredients in the food provided.
6. Disclaimer: No Medical or Psychological Advice. I understand that the Offerings are intended solely for spiritual and educational purposes. The Offerings are not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment, including without limitation medical, psychological, psychiatric, or therapeutic care. I affirm that: (i) I am mentally sound and capable of safely participating in the Offerings; (ii) I take full responsibility for my mental, emotional, and physical well-being during and after participation; and (iii) if I require medical or psychological support, I will seek it from a qualified provider and not rely on Nataraj Kutir.
7. No Guarantee of Outcomes. I understand that Nataraj Kutir cannot guarantee specific outcomes or results, as success depends on my individual effort, consistency, and circumstances outside Nataraj Kutir’s control.
8. Termination. I acknowledge that Nataraj Kutir may, in its sole discretion, terminate my participation in the Offerings at any time for any reason and that I am not eligible for a refund of payments made for Offerings which I have already received either in part or in full.
9. Ownership and Control of Materials. Nataraj Kutir shall be the exclusive owner of all rights, including without limitation copyright and other intellectual property rights, in and to all materials, content, and media created, recorded, or used in connection with the Offerings, including without limitation Online Recordings and In-Person Media. I hereby irrevocably grant Nataraj Kutir the non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free right and permission to: (i) record, use, reproduce, publish, stream, edit, and/or distribute the Online Recordings that include my voice and/or first name and the In-Person Media that include my image, voice, and/or first name; and (ii) use such Online Recordings and In-Person Media in connection with the Offerings, promotion, and/or distribution of spiritual teachings in any media format now known or developed in the future, including without limitation websites, online courses, social media, and/or other digital platforms. I waive any right to inspect or approve the use of any Online Recordings and In-Person Media and understand that I will receive no compensation for their use. I acknowledge that Nataraj Kutir has no liability to me for any editing or alteration of the Online Recordings and In-Person Media, their presentation of me, or for any distortion or other effects resulting from Nataraj Kutir’s editing, alteration, or use thereof. This Section 9 applies to both future and past Online Recordings and In-Person Media, including those Offerings previously recorded, photographed, and published, in which my image, voice, and/or first name may appear.
10. Release of Liability and Indemnification. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, I RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND HOLD HARMLESS Nataraj Kutir, its owners, officers, agents, employees, contractors, volunteers, successors, assigns, and affiliated persons or entities (“Parties”) from any and all claims, demands, actions, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) of any kind or nature, whether known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated, arising out of or in any way related to: (i) my attendance at, participation in, or engagement with any aspect of the Offerings, whether occurring before, during, or after such Offerings; (ii) the creation, reproduction, distribution, public display, or other use of any photographs, audio recordings, and/or video recordings (including without limitation Online Recordings and In-Person Media), whether used for educational, promotional, archival, or other purposes; and/or (iii) any actual or alleged injury, illness, loss, or damage to person or property, including without limitation physical injury, emotional or psychological distress, or perceived or actual spiritual harm, resulting directly or indirectly from my participation in the Offerings. I further agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Parties from and against any such claims, demands, actions, or liabilities brought by me or by any third party arising from or related to my actions, omissions, or participation in the Offerings, including without limitation any claims for injury or damage allegedly caused in whole or in part by my conduct.
11. Governing Law. This Waiver shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to conflict of laws provisions. If any term or provision of this Waiver is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Waiver and the rest will remain in effect.
12. Arbitration; Litigation. Except as otherwise provided below, all disputes arising from or related to this Waiver or the Offerings (“Disputes”) shall be submitted to binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted before a single neutral arbitrator in Richmond, Virginia. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party to this Waiver may: (i) bring an individual action in small claims court for qualifying claims, or (ii) seek injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction within the Eastern District of Virginia to prevent or stop the unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of recordings, photographs, or other intellectual property belonging to Nataraj Kutir. All Disputes, whether in arbitration or court, shall be conducted on an individual basis only and not as part of any class, collective, consolidated, or representative action. The prevailing party in any arbitration or litigation shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
13. Headings. The section headings in this Waiver are for convenience and ease of reference only. They do not limit, modify, or otherwise affect the meaning, interpretation, or scope of any provision of this Waiver.