ROOTED & RISING FOUNDATION
 

PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, MEDICAL DISCLAIMER, ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, AND MEDIA RELEASE

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.
 

This Participant Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between the undersigned participant ("Participant") and Rooted & Rising Foundation, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, facilitators, instructors, contractors, sponsors, venue providers, affiliates, successors, assigns, agents, and representatives (collectively, the "Released Parties").
 

This Agreement applies to all programs, workshops, retreats, classes, support groups, volunteer activities, educational programs, fundraising events, online offerings, virtual events, in-person events, and all other activities sponsored, organized, or facilitated by Rooted & Rising Foundation (collectively, the "Activities"), whether now existing or offered in the future.
 

1. Nature of the Activities
 

Participant understands that the Activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Sound baths and sound healing

• Breathwork

• Guided meditation

• Mindfulness practices

• Yoga and gentle movement

• Somatic practices

• Trauma-informed wellness experiences

• Group discussions

• Educational workshops

• Retreats

• Spiritual reflection

• Energy work

• Relaxation techniques

• Community gatherings

• Volunteer activities

• Other wellness or educational experiences
   

Participant understands these Activities are intended solely for educational, wellness, personal growth, and self-exploration purposes.

These Activities are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical or mental health condition and are not a substitute for medical care, psychotherapy, counseling, psychiatric treatment, or crisis intervention.
 

2. Medical Disclaimer
 

Participant understands that Rooted & Rising Foundation and its facilitators do not provide medical treatment, psychological treatment, psychiatric care, counseling, therapy, or healthcare services.
 

Nothing presented during any Activity should be interpreted as medical or mental health advice.

Participant agrees that they are solely responsible for consulting with their physician, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other licensed healthcare provider regarding participation.
 

3. Potential Risks
 

Participant acknowledges that participation may involve known and unknown physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual risks.

These risks may include, but are not limited to:

• Emotional release

• Crying

• Anxiety

• Fear

• Grief

• Sadness

• Anger

• Panic

• Flashbacks

• Traumatic memories

• Feelings of vulnerability

• Emotional overwhelm

• Stress

• Mental fatigue

• Dizziness

• Tingling

• Muscle soreness

• Hyperventilation

• Increased heart rate

• Changes in blood pressure

• Headache

• Nausea

• Physical discomfort

• Sleep disturbances

• Spiritual questioning

• Aggravation of existing physical or psychological conditions
   

Participant understands that emotional or physical responses may occur during an Activity or may arise hours, days, or weeks afterward.

Participant voluntarily accepts these risks.
 

4. Participant Responsibilities
 

Participant agrees to:

• Participate voluntarily.

• Listen to their own body.

• Modify or discontinue participation whenever necessary.

• Inform a facilitator if immediate assistance is needed.

• Accept full responsibility for their own decisions during participation.
   

Participant understands they may leave or discontinue participation at any time.
 

5. Health Conditions and Pregnancy
 

Participant represents that they have considered their current physical and mental health before participating.
 

Participant understands that certain Activities may not be appropriate for individuals with certain medical or psychological conditions, including but not limited to:

• Pregnancy or recent childbirth

• Epilepsy or seizure disorders

• Cardiovascular disease

• High or uncontrolled blood pressure

• Recent surgery

• Severe asthma or respiratory illness

• Detached retina or glaucoma

• Serious mental illness

• Active psychosis

• Bipolar disorder not under medical supervision

• PTSD with active destabilization

• Any medical or psychological condition that may be affected by breathwork, meditation, movement, emotional release, or sound frequencies.
   

If Participant is pregnant, suspects they may be pregnant, is attempting to become pregnant, or has recently given birth, Participant agrees to consult with their healthcare provider before participating.
 

Participant understands that certain breathing techniques, prolonged breath retention, emotional release practices, and movement exercises may not be appropriate during pregnancy or the postpartum period.
 

Participation while pregnant or postpartum is entirely voluntary and at Participant's own risk.
 

Participant agrees to notify the facilitator before participating if they are pregnant.
 

6. Emotional Crisis Acknowledgement
 

Participant understands that Activities may evoke strong emotions, traumatic memories, grief, anxiety, panic, or psychological distress.
 

Participant acknowledges that facilitators are not acting as crisis counselors, therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, or emergency mental health professionals during any Activity.
 

Participant agrees that if professional medical or psychological care becomes necessary before, during, or after participation, obtaining such care is solely the Participant's responsibility.
 

7. Assumption of Risk
 

Participant knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks, whether known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, associated with participation in the Activities.
 

Participant accepts full responsibility for any physical injury, emotional distress, psychological effects, illness, disability, property damage, financial loss, or death arising from participation.
 

8. RELEASE OF LIABILITY
 

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, PARTICIPANT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY RELEASES, WAIVES, DISCHARGES, AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE ROOTED & RISING FOUNDATION AND THE RELEASED PARTIES FOR ANY CLAIMS, DEMANDS, CAUSES OF ACTION, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, COSTS, OR EXPENSES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY RELEASED PARTY.
 

This release includes claims involving:

• Personal injury

• Emotional distress

• Psychological injury

• Mental anguish

• Physical injury

• Illness

• Property damage

• Financial loss

• Disability

• Wrongful death

• Unknown injuries

• Future injuries
   

This release does not apply to claims that Texas law does not permit to be released, including claims arising from gross negligence, willful misconduct, or intentional wrongful acts.
 

9. Indemnification
 

Participant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, attorney's fees, or expenses arising out of the Participant's own conduct, negligence, breach of this Agreement, or participation in the Activities.
 

10. Emergency Medical Care
 

Participant authorizes emergency medical treatment if deemed reasonably necessary.

Participant understands that Rooted & Rising Foundation has no duty to provide medical treatment or emergency transportation.

Participant accepts responsibility for any resulting medical expenses.
 

11. No Guarantees
 

Participant understands that no guarantees or promises have been made regarding:

• Healing

• Trauma recovery

• Emotional improvement

• Physical improvement

• Mental health improvement

• Spiritual growth

• Personal transformation

• Any specific outcome
   

Every participant's experience is unique.
 

12. Confidentiality
 

Rooted & Rising Foundation strives to foster a respectful, confidential environment but cannot guarantee that other participants will maintain confidentiality.

Participant agrees to respect the privacy of fellow participants.
 

13. Photography and Media Release
 

Unless Participant provides written notice before the Activity, Participant grants Rooted & Rising Foundation permission to photograph, video record, or otherwise capture Participant's image, likeness, voice, or statements during Activities.

Participant authorizes the Foundation to use such materials for educational, promotional, fundraising, website, print, social media, and marketing purposes without compensation.
 

Participant understands previously published materials cannot reasonably be withdrawn.
 

14. Binding Arbitration
 

Any dispute arising from or relating to this Agreement or participation in any Activity shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its applicable rules.

The arbitration shall take place in Montgomery County, Texas.

The arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to determine the enforceability and interpretation of this Agreement.

Judgment upon the arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction.

Each party shall bear its own attorney's fees except as otherwise required by law or awarded by the arbitrator.
 

15. Waiver of Jury Trial
 

Participant knowingly and voluntarily waives any right to trial by jury for any dispute arising out of this Agreement or participation in any Activity.
 

16. Governing Law
 

This Agreement shall be governed exclusively by the laws of the State of Texas.

Venue for any court proceedings relating to enforcement of this Agreement or an arbitration award shall be Montgomery County, Texas.
 

17. Severability
 

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
 

18. Entire Agreement
 

This Agreement constitutes the complete understanding between Participant and Rooted & Rising Foundation regarding participation in the Activities and supersedes all prior discussions or representations concerning the subject matter herein.
 

19. Voluntary Execution
 

Participant certifies that:

• They have carefully read this Agreement in its entirety.

• They understand its contents.

• They understand they are giving up certain legal rights.

• They understand they may consult an attorney before signing.

• They sign this Agreement voluntarily and without coercion.

• They are at least eighteen (18) years of age.
   

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

Participant Name: ___________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Date: ___________________________

Email: _________________________________________________

Phone: _________________________________________________

Emergency Contact: ________________________________________

Emergency Contact Phone: __________________________________

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

BY SIGNING BELOW, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, INCLUDING THE ASSUMPTION OF RISK, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, BINDING ARBITRATION AGREEMENT, AND WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL, AND I VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY ITS TERMS.