Liability Waiver and Event Participation Agreement
Strength From Within Advocates, LLC in this document refers to the legal entity, abbreviated as SFW.
By reading all of the statements contained in this document and checking the appropriate box, I hereby confirm and accept all of its terms, conditions, and statements, including those parts relevant both generally to SFW events and specifically to Tantra/Sensual Massage events, classes and trainings.
1. Definition of Event
An event is any course, workshop, retreat, experience, confirmed appointment and/or teaching offered by SFW in residential, nonresidential, and/or online formats.
2. Covid-19 Addition
I hereby declare that I am fully aware of Covid-19 and the global CoronaVirus pandemic and I assume all responsibility for joining a SFW event at this time. I hereby declare that I am Covid-19 negative, to the best of my knowledge, am fully healthy, and I currently manifest zero symptoms, whatsoever, related to Covid-19 and associated variants.
I hereby confirm that I will ONLY join a SFW event if I have not manifested any symptoms related to Covid-19 or any other symptoms of illness at least 14 days prior to joining my chosen SFW event (exception made to online SFW events, which a participant joins remotely from their own home).
I hereby confirm that I assume all responsibility and therefore fully release SFW from any responsibility to my health with regards to the Covid-19 infection or contamination. If for some reason I get infected with Covid-19 during a SFW event, I hereby assume all responsibility for it and I am fully accepting all risks or dangers related to such infection with Covid-19.
I hereby declare that I was fully informed by SFW of any and all potential dangers of Covid-19 infection or contamination during events and that I accept all such risks and that I am releasing SFW and all attending participants from any responsibility with regards to such dangers of infection, contamination or “catching” Covid-19 during an event.
I hereby also release SFW and all event participants from any responsibility, if I discover at any time AFTER the event has ended, that I have become infected with Covid-19. I will not accuse, file suit or make any legal claim towards SFW with regards to such infection with Covid-19.
I am fully aware that in an event I may be sharing space at a facility with anywhere between 1-100 people in close proximity.
I am fully aware that specifically Tantra Touch courses involve touch, massage, intimate touch, and various other close interactions that are not within social distancing guidelines nor do they involve the use of face masks. I am accepting all of this and I take full responsibility for any results coming from that. I do not hold SFW responsible for any non-adherence to guidelines mandated or recommended by the appropriate governing health authorities. Further to that, I do not hold SFW responsible legally, or in any other form, for any of these potential risks or behavior.
I confirm that I am obliged to notify the event teaching team immediately if any Covid-19, or other illness-like symptoms, manifest during the event and I confirm that the event team has the right to exclude me from the course and course-related activities and ask me to leave the course venue immediately. I also confirm that in such a situation I am not eligible for any refunds of the course fee.
3. SFW – Tantra/Sensual Touch Events
3.1. Applicant’s Responsibilities, Declaration of Consent to All Risks, and Clarification of Content
I hereby give my consent to participate in and to give and receive touch (including genital and intimate touch) and/or other bodywork as well as instruction in Tantra Touch, Yoga and energy work. I understand such activities may include the use of massage oils, gels, creams and/or props provided by SFW, its teachers, trainers, assistants, or related personnel and I acknowledge and agree that I am doing so at my own risk.
I hereby declare that I am fully aware and accept that my health and safety, with respect to such events are my sole responsibility.
SFW Touch events have a proven record for safety and effectiveness. However, in very rare cases, participation in the above listed activities and trainings may potentially result in my bodily injury, blood clotting issues, stroke, Bell’s Palsy, paralyzation, organ failure, structural and physical discomfort, purification effects, hyperventilation, increased heart rate, emotional releases, among other effects, up to and including my own death. I accept full responsibility for myself and my health and indemnify fully and hold harmless SFW and all directors, officers, employees, controlling persons, fiduciaries and other agents and affiliates of the Company.
My decision to receive training and participate in Tantra/Sensual touch events with SFW is voluntary, and I know of, understand, and assume any and all risks associated therewith.
3.2. Nudity, Intimate Touch, and Genital Touch
I hereby declare that in full awareness and agreement, I choose to participate in SFW touch events and I am aware and fully accept that these events may include and involve nudity, partial nudity, intimate bodily touch between various participants and myself, genital touch (including inner vaginal touch for women and penis and testicular touch for men), multiple exchange of partners during the event and full-body touch. I agree, in advance, to fully participate in all of the above-mentioned activities.
Boundaries will be discussed and consent given prior to any touch, and maintained throughout any event.
It is your responsibility to let the teachers know your comfort level and at any time that changes, you will notify them.
There is no explicit sexuality in the event/trainings, and no explicit sexual activity is part of curriculum.
3.3. Potential Risks and Side Effects of Tantra / Sensual Touch
I am aware that Tantra/Sensual Touch benefits include pain relief, relaxation, blood pressure moderation, stress reduction and anxiety management.
By signing this document, I hereby confirm that I have been fully informed and I accept and agree fully to all the health risks mentioned henceforth. Also, I fully accept and agree to participate in any of the SFW touch events with full knowledge and awareness of the health risks and possible damages mentioned below:
Blood Clots: The pressure exerted during touch could potentially cause arterial plaque to rupture and release blood clots into the system. Though the risk is low for such an event, blood clots can travel to the heart or brain. Clients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that causes blood clots to develop in the deep veins of the body, are especially at risk. Deep touch greatly increases the risks of a clot being released and traveling to the lungs.
Nerve Damage: Some forms of touch, such as deep tissue (including Tantra Touch), Structural Integration, and Rolfing require the teacher to exert pressure past the skin layer in order to manipulate muscles and connective tissues. During the SFW events as participant and in Tantra training if a participant does not communicate and does not give or receive proper feedback from another participant or from SFW teachers, assistants, or staff, this may bring about the exertion of too much pressure, resulting in temporary nerve damage to a participant. Make sure to let us know if touch is uncomfortable.
Infectious Skin Conditions: A number of infectious conditions of the skin can be transmitted during touch, despite the best efforts of SFW to screen participants within reason. These include herpes, cold sores, shingles rashes, warts, and ringworm. Likewise, as in the case of warts, during Tantra touch training, people may unknowingly spread the contagion from one area of a person’s body to another or to themselves.
Temporary Side Effects: Side effects, otherwise known as purification effects, may include temporary pain, soreness, discomfort, bruising, swelling, and a sensitivity or allergy to massage oils. Also, nausea, vomiting, temporary or longer-term diarrhea, various body discomfort symptoms, emotional expressions, and emotional release may exhibit, among other conditions.
3.4. When to Avoid Physical Touch
Certain medical conditions may increase the risk of experiencing negative side effects from touch. These include cancer, severe heart conditions, high blood pressure, fractured or broken bones, blood clots, skin rashes and infectious diseases of the skin, sexually transmitted diseases, burns, lesions, any forms of arthritis and osteoporosis, mysterious pain, and other diseases or dysfunctions.
If I suffer from any of these conditions or other serious illness, I commit to inform SFW when applying for any SFW event and to consult my physician before joining a SFW Tantra/Sensual Touch events.
As a pregnant woman I am aware that I am required to inform SFW of my pregnancy before joining any Tantra /Sensual Touch event and to consult my healthcare provider before participating.
3.5. Tantric Rituals
I hereby declare that in full awareness and agreement, I choose to voluntarily participate in SFW events and I am aware and fully accept that this event may include tantric rituals that involve full nudity, partial nudity, intimate bodily touch between various participants and myself, ego analysis and transcending negative body image and body dysmorphia. I understand that participation in some rituals are strictly voluntary while others will offer varying levels and degrees of participation and that I may join according to my own individual comfort level.
Furthermore, I hereby declare, that upon participating in any tantric ritual or activity during any SFW event, which includes intimate touch of any kind, I will assume full responsibility for my participation, my experiences and any results I will obtain. It is my responsibility to be fully transparent with relatives, partners, and others and create boundaries within the dynamic. I will not hold SFW responsible for any results or experiences or feelings that may result from my participation. I hereby declare that I was informed in advance and I fully understand that this SFW event is meant to challenge my ego, my emotional and mental state in order to help me grow on a personal level and evolve. I fully understand and accept that this may challenge me, it may upset me and it may bring anger. I assume in advance all responsibility for such challenges and will not hold SFW responsible for any such impacts and challenges at the end of the event or at any time in the future.
I fully understand and accept that all such training and activities within the SFW events are done according to tantric principles and knowledge which is mostly personal and not in accordance with any accredited organization or government body. I understand that SFW events are lead by knowledgable and practicing teachers and not licensed massage therapists. I understand this clearly and I assume full responsibility for any physical, emotional, psychological, mental or any other result of my participation in the SFW events/trainings.
By my registration I explicitly state that I am ready and prepared to approach the mysteries of Tantra with maturity and an open mind.
5. SFW - All Trainings
5.1. Declaration of Confidentiality and No Recording Policy
I hereby commit not to record (by means of video, audio, or any other means) the content, teaching materials, lectures, sessions or any other content or teachings of the SFW events in which I participate. I am aware that if I breach this commitment, I may be expelled immediately from any event with no refund or compensation and I may become the subject of legal action against myself as well as incur fines and legal/financial liability for copyright infringement.
I also hereby commit not to distribute course materials provided directly to me in any format – whether digital or printed, including online content from the website or SFW social media channels – to anyone, regardless of whether that person/those people may have previously joined a SFW event. Unauthorized distribution of SFW materials will be considered a breach of this agreement and violators will be subject to legal repercussions.
If SFW will be recording a session, written notice will be given to all participants prior, otherwise, there will be NO recording of any event (Audio, Visual, or other means).
5.2. SFW Right to Refuse Acceptance
I have been informed and accept that SFW has the right to refuse the participation of myself or any person to any of its events. Furthermore, I am fully aware and accept in advance, that SFW reserves the right to expel, dismiss, or send home myself or any participant from any of its events at any time for the following reasons:
Incompatibility/problematic behavior that disrupts harmony in the event;
Breaking the rule that stipulates no recording of any kind;
Disregarding or breaking any boundaries within the course (Teacher / participant);
Aggressive or disrespectful behavior toward any teacher or course participant;
Any other disturbing, abnormal, or adverse behavior that negatively impacts the event, the teacher(s)/assistants, or other participants.
Such decisions will not be made lightly. However, if made, these decisions will be taken at the sole discretion of the event teacher(s) and will be final.
I understand and accept that in the case of my expulsion from any of SFW’s events, there will be no refund of any kind of my payments that have been made to SFW. I declare that I am fully aware of the “no refund” policy in case of expulsion from an event and I agree in advance to withhold any claims or requests for a refund.
5.3. Declaration of Waiver of Rights
In exchange for receiving any session, training or instruction from SFW, I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives, hereby waive, release, discharge, and hold harmless SFW from any and all liability for any and all injuries, including death, damages, or claims relating to or resulting from my participation in any and all SFW events, now or in the future, foreseen or unforeseen. Further, I will indemnify and hold harmless SFW from and against any and all claims, rights, damages, liabilities, losses, loss of employment-related costs, and all other costs and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising from or in connection with any injuries to other persons or damage to property caused by or attributed to me.
6. Community Activity
Unless provided in writing, digitally or on paper by SFW, no events run by students/clients of SFW are in any way affiliated or related to SFW.
SFW accepts no liability or responsibility for personal activities organized by students/clients or other persons with materials or techniques taught in official SFW events or through unofficial events or methods by SFW.
Any events that claim affiliation to SFW, directly or indirectly, without prior written permission, digitally or on paper, may be liable to legal action.
7. Declaration of Agreement to All Terms
I have read in detail and fully understand this Liability Waiver and Event/Course Participation Agreement regarding my participation in SFW events and specifically regarding the benefits, potential risks, and side effects associated with Tantra / Sensual Touch events, training experiences, other energetic and /or bodywork done with and by SFW.
I acknowledge that I have read and understood the release and indemnification provisions set forth in the preceding paragraphs as well as all other declarations, commitments and statements within this document and I agree to and accept all of the terms outlined. By checking the respective box in the check-out page of the SFW website and/or writing my name and applying my personal signature on this document, I hereby legally agree to all content contained herein.
I agree to sign this document in person and in physical form upon arrival to an SFW event.