Retreat Terms + Conditions

By completing and submitting the registration form, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to all terms and conditions set forth below by Elements Hot Yoga ("the Organizer"). Root + Align Co serves as the retreat production partner contracted by Elements Hot Yoga to deliver the hospitality experience. These terms constitute a binding agreement between you and Elements Hot Yoga.

1. Booking

(a) Your booking is not confirmed and no contract exists until your $550 deposit has been received by the Organizer and your room assignment has been confirmed in writing.

(b) Room assignments are made in order of registration form submission. The Organizer will confirm your room within 24 hours of form receipt and send a deposit payment link by email.

(c) Your deposit link is valid for 48 hours. If payment is not received within 48 hours, your spot may be offered to the next guest on the waitlist.

(d) Spots are limited. The retreat is intentionally small. When it is full, it is full.

(e) All guests must be 16 years of age or older at the time of the retreat. Guests aged 16–17 must be accompanied by a parent who is also a registered retreat participant. The Organizer reserves the right to confirm age at check-in.

2. Payment

(a) All prices are quoted and payable in US Dollars.

(b) Payment is due in three stages:
– Stage 1 · $550 deposit · due within 48 hours of room confirmation email
– Stage 2 · 50% of remaining balance · due November 1, 2026
– Stage 3 · Final balance · due February 1, 2027

(c) Payment may be made by card via Stripe (3% convenience fee applies) or by Zelle at no additional fee. Payment instructions are provided in the confirmation email.

(d) If any payment is not received by its due date, the Organizer reserves the right to cancel the reservation and offer the spot to another guest. No refund of prior payments will be issued in this circumstance.

(e) Final dietary and allergy information must be submitted no later than March 11, 2027, in conjunction with the final balance payment.

3. Cancellation by Guest

(a) All deposits and subsequent installment payments are non-refundable except in the circumstance where the guest identifies an eligible replacement as described in clause (c) below.

(c) To initiate a transfer, contact Elements Hot Yoga directly at the earliest opportunity. The incoming guest must complete a full registration form and pay all amounts that have been collected from the original guest to date — including the deposit and any installment payments already made — before the transfer is confirmed. Once the incoming guest's payments have cleared in full, the original guest will receive a refund of all amounts they have paid. The incoming guest assumes all remaining payment obligations on the original schedule. Transfers are not permitted after March 1, 2027.

(e) There are no refunds for an unused portion of the retreat once it has begun. If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of a travel insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim on your insurance. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

(f) In the event of a health or family emergency, please contact the Organizer as soon as possible. While refunds cannot be guaranteed, the Organizer will endeavor to find a replacement guest and issue a refund if a replacement is secured.

4. Amendments and Cancellation by the Organizer

(a) The Organizer reserves the right to make changes to retreat programming, staff, meals, excursions, scheduling, or other arrangements at any time. Where accommodation must be changed, every effort will be made to provide an equivalent alternative. Guests will be notified of significant changes as soon as reasonably possible.

(b) The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the retreat if minimum enrollment is not reached. In this event, all payments received will be refunded in full within 14 days.

(c) In the event of cancellation due to force majeure — including but not limited to acts of God, war, pandemic, global crisis, venue damage, change of venue ownership, fire, or labor strikes — the Organizer reserves the right to cancel without liability. In such circumstances, all monies paid for services that could not be performed will be credited to each guest for use within 18 months of the cancellation notice. Credits are personal to the registered guest and are non-transferable. The Organizer is not responsible for any additional expenses incurred by guests as a result of cancellation, including but not limited to flights, travel documents, accommodation, or other preparation costs. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.

(d) In the event of a force majeure situation arising during the retreat, the Organizer will take all necessary steps to ensure guest safety, which may include emergency evacuation and early termination of the retreat. All accommodation and food costs arising from an emergency evacuation are the guest's responsibility.

5. Travel Arrangements

(a) All travel arrangements to and from Gaia Villa, Yucca Valley, California, are the sole responsibility of each guest and are at their own cost. This includes but is not limited to flights, ground transportation, and any transfers.

(b) The Organizer is not liable for any consequences arising from delays, cancellations, or irregularities with any travel arrangements made independently by guests.

(c) Travel insurance is strongly recommended and should cover the full cost of the retreat, emergency cancellation, illness, injury, and all associated travel costs.

6. Health + Physical Fitness

(a) It is your responsibility to inform the Organizer of any physical injuries, medical conditions, or mental health considerations that may affect your participation prior to the retreat. This information must be disclosed on the registration form.

(b) You confirm that you are in adequate physical and mental health to participate in yoga and other physical activities as described in the retreat program. You are advised to consult your physician prior to the retreat if you have any concerns.

(c) If you experience any pain, discomfort, or injury during any activity, you must stop immediately and notify the lead instructor.

(d) The Organizer reserves the right to advise any guest to modify or cease participation in activities where, in the judgment of the instructors, continued participation may pose a risk to the guest or others.

(e) Please advise the Organizer of all dietary requirements and food allergies on the registration form. While the Organizer will communicate all dietary information to the private chef, a fully allergen-free environment cannot be guaranteed. Guests accept responsibility for any dietary or medical needs not disclosed prior to the retreat.

7. Liability

(a) The Organizer accepts responsibility for ensuring that the retreat is delivered as described and that services contractually provided are delivered to a reasonable standard.

(b) Participation in yoga, movement, breathwork, sound healing, hiking, and all other physical activities offered during the retreat is entirely voluntary and undertaken at your own risk. You are fully aware of the risks involved.

(c) Elements Hot Yoga, Laura Orso-Richmond, and all associated retreat staff, instructors, and contractors — including Root + Align Co as the retreat production partner — are not liable for any injury, illness, loss, or damage — physical, mental, or financial — sustained during or in connection with the retreat.

(d) The Organizer is not liable for cancellations, delays, or changes caused by war, terrorism, civil unrest, pandemic, natural disaster, industrial action, or other events beyond their control.

(e) The Organizer is not responsible for the individual behavior of any group member or other resort guest during the retreat.

(f) In the event of a medical emergency, you authorize the Organizer to seek emergency medical assistance on your behalf. Any costs incurred are your sole responsibility.

8. Yoga + Physical Activity Waiver

(a) I understand that yoga and physical movement require exertion that may be strenuous and may result in physical injury. I am fully aware of the risks involved and voluntarily assume all such risks.

(b) I confirm that I am physically fit and have no medical condition that would prevent my full participation in yoga and associated activities. I have consulted or will consult my physician if I have any doubt.

(c) I agree to assume full responsibility for any risks, injuries, or damages which I may incur as a result of participating in yoga or other physical activities during the retreat.

(d) I, my heirs, and legal representatives forever release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Elements Hot Yoga, Laura Orso-Richmond, or any affiliated instructors and retreat staff for any injury or loss caused by their negligence or other acts arising from my participation in this retreat.

(e) If I experience any pain or discomfort during any activity, I will notify the instructor immediately, adjust accordingly, and cease the activity if necessary.

9. Alcohol + Substances

(a) The Organizer may provide sommelier-curated wine pairings with select group dinners as part of the retreat experience. This is the only alcohol that may be consumed on the retreat property.

(b) Guests may not bring personal alcohol onto the retreat property at any time.

(c) Illegal substances are strictly prohibited at all times during the retreat, on and off property.

(d) Guests who are unable to comply with this policy may be asked to leave the retreat immediately without refund.

(e) This retreat is not designed as a detox program for those with substance dependency. Guests aged 16–17 may not consume alcohol at any retreat activity or on the retreat property under any circumstances. Parents are responsible for ensuring compliance.

10. House Rules + Property

(a) Guests will receive a set of house rules from the property host prior to arrival. All guests are expected to comply with these rules at all times.

(b) Only registered, paying retreat guests are permitted on the retreat property. No outside guests may be brought to the retreat space at any time. Guests aged 16–17 must share sleeping accommodation with their parent and may not be assigned to a room with unrelated adult guests. Room assignments for minor guests will be confirmed directly with the accompanying parent.

(c) Guests are responsible for treating the property and all its contents with care and respect. Any damage caused by a guest is the financial responsibility of that guest.

(d) Kitchen cleanup after group meals is the responsibility of retreat staff. Guests are not required to clean the kitchen. The property host's kitchen terms apply — the kitchen must be left in preparation-ready condition each morning.

11. Personal Possessions

(a) Guests are responsible for the safety of their own possessions at all times. The Organizer does not accept responsibility for any lost, damaged, or stolen items including but not limited to luggage, valuables, travel documents, or electronic devices.

12. Group Bookings

(a) Where a booking is made by one person on behalf of multiple guests, the person making the booking confirms they have the authorization of all named guests to enter into this agreement on their behalf. The terms of this agreement apply equally to each member of the group.

13. Complaints

(a) If you have a concern or complaint during the retreat, please inform the lead organizer immediately so that every effort can be made to resolve it on the spot.

(b) Post-retreat complaints must be submitted in writing to hello@rootandalignco.com within 14 days of the retreat end date.

14. Photography + Media

(a) Retreat photography may be taken by the Organizer or appointed photographers during the retreat.

(b) Guests who consent to the use of their likeness in marketing materials should indicate this on the registration form. Consent is optional and does not affect participation.

(c) Guests who do not provide consent will not have their image used in any public-facing materials.

15. Privacy

(a) Personal information collected through the registration form is used solely for the purpose of administering the retreat. Guest details will not be shared with third parties other than vendors directly involved in delivering the retreat (including the private chef and venue).

16. Notice + Contact

(a) All questions, transfer requests, complaints, and notices must be directed to Elements Hot Yoga in the first instance. For retreat operations and logistics, guests may also contact Root + Align Co at hello@rootandalignco.com.