In participating in any program or instruction (“The Program”) offered by Laura Cosner (“The Instructor”) you are agreeing to the following Terms of Service:
1. Medical and Other Therapeutic Considerations
You represent to the Instructor and any and all other persons responsible for the conduct of the Program that if you have previously experienced or have reason to believe that you will experience severe negative reactions to introspective practice, or if you suffer from any severe emotional or psychological condition, then you will seek advice from a competent medical or other psychotherapeutic professional and obtain his or her consent before participating in the Program. In such event, or if you suffer from any of the adverse reactions listed below (d-g), or if you are taking any form of psychotropic medication including antianxiety, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, or antipsychotic medications, you agree to consult with and obtain the advice and consent of your medical or other therapeutic provider and to promptly notify the instructor. You acknowledge that mindfulness meditation is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment for conditions which may require those forms of treatment, and that the Instructor has accepted you into the Program in reliance on the above representation
2. Acknowledgment of Potential Reactions
Some mild reactions to meditation are fairly common and generally temporary. You acknowledge that you are aware of potential mild reactions that can occur during and after meditation, including without limitation:
a. Increased emotional sensitivity;
b. Moderate exacerbation of physical pain and discomfort; and
c. Temporary altered states, including visions.
In such event, you agree to notify the instructor.
Although strongly negative reactions to meditation are unusual and typically associated with immersive meditation retreat training, they occasionally occur. You acknowledge that you are aware of the potential for adverse reactions that can occur during and after meditation, including without limitation:
d. Onset or rekindling of severe depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric disorders;
e. Onset or reappearance of psychotic symptoms;
f. Onset or reappearance of negative behavior patterns; and
g. Severe exacerbation of physical pain and discomfort
3. Liability
You release and agree not to sue the Instructor, UM-HUG LLC, Unified Mindfulness LLC (jointly, "UM") and/or the members, managers, representatives, agents, or employees of UM (collectively the "Releasees"), from and for any and all liability to you and your heirs for any loss or damage and any claim or demand for such a liability on account of injury of any kind to you, arising out of or related to your participation in the Program, whether caused by the negligence of the Releasees or otherwise. You agree to assume full responsibility for any risk of mental or bodily injury arising out of or related to the Program, whether caused by the negligence of Releasees or otherwise
4. No Obligation to Engage in Techniques
The Program includes skill training in how to practice the Unified Mindfulness system of meditation. You acknowledge that, if for any reason you are unable to participate or think it unwise to engage in these techniques and exercises either during the class sessions or when working on your own, you are under no obligation to engage in these techniques
5. Acts and Omissions
You agree that this Release, Waiver, and Assumption of Risk extends to all acts and omissions by the Releasees and is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the applicable jurisdiction(s), and that if any portion of this document is held invalid, it is agreed that the remainder shall nonetheless continue in full legal force and effect.
As a condition of participating in any Program offered by the Instructor, you acknowledge and agree that you have read this document and fully understand its terms, and you agree to it freely and voluntarily without any inducement, assurance, or guarantee being made to you.