Terms & Condtions

These terms apply to every Sowena Programme retreat, workshop and yoga class booked through sowenacornwall.co.uk. By booking, you confirm you have read and agree to them.

They do not cover events run by independent practitioners who hire the Sowena cabin, including those featured on our “Sowena is Proud to Host” page. Those events are booked through the practitioner, and their own terms apply. The Sunshine & Soul Festival has its own terms.

Throughout, “we”, “us” and “Sowena” mean Sowena Cornwall CIC (registered CIC number 15277637). “You” means the person attending.

1.Booking and paymet

1. Your place is confirmed once full payment has been made at the time of booking. We do not hold places without payment.
2. Payment is taken by debit or credit card through our website.
3. You will receive a booking confirmation by email. If it doesn’t arrive within 24 hours, please check your junk folder and then get in touch.
4. Yoga block bookings are paid in advance for the whole block and are valid only for the classes in that block. Unused classes cannot be carried over to a later block.
5. Retreats and workshops are priced on a sliding scale. The starting price covers our core costs, the suggested price reflects the true value of the experience, and the supporter price helps fund places for people facing financial barriers. Please choose the price that feels right for your circumstances. Everyone receives the same experience and the same welcome, whichever price they pay.
6. Discount codes cannot be combined and cannot be applied after a booking has been made.
7. Unless an event says otherwise, our events are for adults aged 18 and over.

2. If you need to cancel

Retreats and workshops need 14 days’ notice for a refund. Yoga classes need 48 hours’ notice.

• To cancel, please email hello@sowenacornwall.co.uk. Notice is counted from when we receive your email, up to the start time of the event or class.
• Refunds are made to the card you paid with, normally within 10 working days.
• Transferring your place. If you can’t attend a retreat or workshop, you’re welcome to give your place to someone else at any time. Just tell us their name and email before the event so we can send them the details and a health form.
• Pay it forward. If you cancel a retreat or workshop within 14 days and don’t transfer your place, it becomes a pay it forward place. We offer it to someone in our community who would benefit and might not otherwise be able to come. Pay it forward places are only released once an event has reached its minimum numbers.
• We keep these notice periods because our groups are small, and our practitioners and costs are committed in advance. A late cancellation in a group of nine makes a real difference. Thank you for understanding.

3. If we need to cancel or make changes

• Minimum numbers. As a Community Interest Company, Sowena reinvests any surplus into its community purpose and needs a minimum number of bookings for each event to cover its costs. If minimum numbers are not reached, we may cancel the event. We will decide one week before a retreat or workshop, and 24 hours before a yoga class.
• Weather and safety. Sowena sits on an exposed rural site. We may cancel, shorten or move an event because of high winds, storms or other conditions that make it unsafe. We will tell you as early as we can.
• If we cancel, you will receive a full refund, or you can move your booking to another date if you prefer. Our responsibility is limited to refunding what you paid us. We cannot cover travel, accommodation or other costs you have arranged.
• Changes to the programme. Our retreats and workshops are carefully planned, but the running order, activities or timings may sometimes change. If a practitioner is unable to attend, we may arrange a suitable replacement. If we make a significant change before the event, we will let you know and you may cancel for a full refund.

4. Your health and wellbeing

• Breathwork, sound and movement. Some practices may not suit everyone. If you have epilepsy, a heart condition, high blood pressure, are pregnant, or have hearing sensitivity or tinnitus, please tell us before booking so we can advise you and offer modifications. If you are unsure, please check with your GP first.
• Listen to your body. Please work within your own limits. You are always free to rest, adapt a practice, or step outside at any point.
• Dietary needs. Where food is provided, please tell us about allergies and dietary requirements at least 5 days before the event. We use a GF bakery but cannot guarantee food is free from all allergens.
• Emotional wellbeing. Practices such as meditation, Nidra and breathwork can sometimes bring up strong feelings. Our practitioners will support you to feel grounded, and a quiet space is always available. Our events are not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment, and Sowena does not take clinical responsibility for participants.
• Arriving. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the start time. 
• Please do not attend under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs, or if you are unwell with anything contagious.

5. Respecting the land and the cabin

Sowena sits on working family land, held with care for nearly 40 years. We ask everyone who visits to treat it with the same respect.

• Off-grid site. There is no mains electricity or water. Drinking water is provided, and you are welcome to bring your own.
• Getting around. Paths and fields can be uneven and muddy. Please wear suitable footwear and bring warm layers. Please follow the signs to the cabin.
• Animals. Horses and dogs may be on the land at certain times. Please leave any gate as you found it, and always close gates that were closed. Please do not bring your own pets unless with prior consent.
• Parking. Please park in the area you are directed to via your confirmation email. Vehicles are parked at the owner’s risk. In wet weather, parking may move to outside the gate.
• Fire safety. The cabin is made of wood. Candles, tealights, incense and naked flames are not allowed inside. Any outdoor fire is managed by your facilitator.

6. Code of conduct

• We ask everyone to treat fellow participants, practitioners and the land with kindness, respect and consideration. Sowena is a welcoming space for everyone.
• Please respect the privacy of others. What people share in a session stays in the session.
• We may ask anyone whose behaviour is disrespectful, unsafe or disruptive to leave. No refund will be given in this case.

7. Photos

We sometimes take photos at events to share on our website and social media. We will always tell you on the day, and we will never use a photo of you if you ask us not to. Just let your facilitator know.

8. Liability

• We take great care to keep everyone safe. Our events are covered by public liability insurance, and every practitioner holds their own insurance for their practice.
• You take part at your own risk, within your own limits, and are responsible for following the guidance of your practitioner and these terms.
• Please look after your personal belongings. We cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to them, unless caused by our negligence.
• Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or anything else that cannot be limited by law. Your statutory rights are not affected.

9. Your information

We use your details only to manage your booking and keep you safe. Health form information is stored securely, seen only by Sowena and your practitioner, and never shared for any other purpose. We will only add you to our mailing list if you have opted in.10. Changes to these terms and contactWe may update these terms from time to time. The version on our website when you book is the one that applies to your booking.If you have any questions, please contact Betty at hello@sowenacornwall.co.uk or on 07734 227439.