General Policies

Website Policy

Information published on this web site is provided for the use of its visitors and you are advised that, although care has been taken to ensure technical and factual accuracy, some errors may occur. No guarantee is given of the accuracy or completeness of information on these pages. Please be aware that Karma Yoga may alter the information on its web site from time to time. We shall have no liability arising from the use by any party of the information on this web site. We do not warrant the information on this web site in any way and in particular no warranty is given that the web site or its contents or hypertext links are virus free or uncontaminated. You are advised to make your own virus checks and to implement your own precautions in this respect. We exclude all liability for contamination or damage caused by any virus or electronic transmission. Using this website, you are agreeing to be legally bound by these terms as modified from time to time. Before using the this website it is your responsibility to read the policies as set out below. We reserve the right to alter the terms and conditions and prices at our discretion. If we make any significant change to this policy, we will provide notice of the changes on this website.

Here is a comprehensive, legally robust rewrite of your liability and dispute resolution policies, tailored specifically to British Columbia law.

Under BC law, for a liability waiver to successfully shield a business from negligence claims, the language must be incredibly explicit, highly visible, and specifically state that the participant is waiving their right to sue for negligence. Furthermore, explicitly naming the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) prevents clients from using its low-cost, streamlined online portal to bypass your dispute resolution ladder.

Below is the rewritten policy designed to replace your current Liability Policy section on your website.

Liability, Release of Claims, and Dispute Resolution Policy

1. Assumption of Physical and Online Risks

By registering for, paying for, accessing, or participating in any classes, workshops, events, or yoga teacher training programs (collectively, the "Programs") offered by Karma Yoga, whether in-person at our physical locations, outdoors, or online via digital platforms, you acknowledge and agree that:

  • Yoga, heat exposure (such as hot yoga), physical adjustments, and related physical activities involve inherent risks of physical injury, illness, or death.

  • You are fully responsible for monitoring your own physical condition and limits during practice.

  • Participation is entirely voluntary, and you assume all associated risks, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of Karma Yoga or its agents.

2. Comprehensive Waiver and Release of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by the laws of British Columbia, you agree to release, waive, discharge, and hold harmless Karma Yoga, its owners, directors, officers, employees, independent contractors, and agents (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, or liabilities of any kind.

This includes, but is not limited to, claims for personal injury, illness, death, property damage, or financial loss arising out of or in connection with your participation in the Programs, your presence on Karma Yoga premises, or your travel to and from the Programs. This release applies even if the claim or liability is caused by the negligence, breach of contract, or breach of any statutory or other duty of care (including duties owed under the Occupiers Liability Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 337) of the Released Parties.

3. Absolute Waiver of Right to Sue in Court

You explicitly agree that you are giving up your right to bring any legal action, lawsuit, or claim in any court of law against the Released Parties.

This absolute waiver applies to all levels of the court system in British Columbia and Canada, including but not limited to:

  • The Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) of British Columbia,

  • The Provincial Court of British Columbia (including Small Claims Court),

  • The Supreme Court of British Columbia, and

  • The Court of Appeal of British Columbia,

    as well as any equivalent federal or provincial courts.

4. Mandatory Multi-Tier Dispute Resolution Agreement

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or relating to these policies, your participation in the Programs, or your relationship with Karma Yoga (a "Dispute") must be resolved exclusively through the following multi-tiered process. You agree that this process is your sole and exclusive remedy:

  • Step 1: Good Faith Negotiation. The parties will first attempt to resolve the Dispute informally and in good faith through direct communication.

  • Step 2: Mandatory Mediation. If the Dispute is not resolved through informal negotiations within thirty (30) days, the parties agree to submit the Dispute to private, confidential mediation in Victoria, British Columbia. The mediation will be conducted by a single, mutually agreed-upon mediator. The parties will share the administrative costs and fees of the mediator equally, and each party will bear their own legal fees.

  • Step 3: Binding Arbitration. If mediation fails to resolve the Dispute within sixty (60) days of the appointment of the mediator, the Dispute shall be referred to and finally resolved by final and binding arbitration in Victoria, British Columbia.

    • The arbitration will be governed by the BC Arbitration Act, S.B.C. 2020, c. 2.

    • The arbitration will be conducted by a single, neutral arbitrator mutually selected by both parties. If the parties cannot agree on an arbitrator, one will be appointed in accordance with the BC Arbitration Act.

    • The arbitrator’s decision shall be final, binding, and subject to no appeal on questions of law, fact, or mixed law and fact.

    • The arbitrator shall have the authority to award the costs of the arbitration (including reasonable legal fees) to the prevailing party.

5. Severability and Survival

If any provision, paragraph, or clause of this policy is found by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, that specific provision shall be severed, and the remaining provisions of this policy shall continue in full force and effect. This agreement survives the termination of your membership, registration, or association with Karma Yoga.

General Rules

All individuals who enter the studio and spaces of Karma Yoga must be a member or guest of Karma Yoga and must abide by all rules and policy.

Karma Yoga is a division of BC 1206755 Ltd.

Any agent (e.g yoga teacher, etc) of Karma Yoga shall have the power to expel and/or suspend or revoke the membership of a class attendant for a duration of their discretion. The Owner or Manager of Karma Yoga has the sole power to reinstate all memberships.

All transactions are made in Canadian dollars.

All fees for all products must be paid for in advance unless authorized by Karma Yoga.

Eating must be done outside the actual studio (where classes are held).

All talking and music must be quiet at all times.

Your personally identifiable information is kept secure. Only authorized employees, agents, and contractors (who have agreed to keep information secure and confidential) have access to this information. All emails and newsletters from our sites allow you to opt out of further mailings. Karma Yoga will never sell, trade, rent, exchange, or otherwise share your personal information with any other person, company, or organization.

To purchase and attend classes all persons must be members of Karma Yoga first.

All class purchases are final and at the discretion of Karma Yoga, any unused monies may be applied - with the approval of Karma Yoga - to use as credit towards other services or products of Karma Yoga that must be used in 1 year from date of issue.  Any breach of the Code of Conduct before the credit is used, will lead to the forfeiting of any credit (e. threatening, bullying, etc).

Members shall refrain from using perfumes or smoking before class.

The drinking of water is fine anywhere in the studio.

The hooks provided shall be used for coats. Shoes shall be taken off and left in shoe rack in the reception area. And all other personal belongs should be left in one of storage cubby provided for members in the studio itself. We are not and cannot be responsible for left, lost or neglected items! We donate all Lost & Found items to Value Village at the end of each month.

No talking while ​a ​class ​is ​underway, this do​es not​ apply to quickly​ letting​ know the teacher if something comes up (e.g. your safety, class safety, etc).

All mat​s ​and props used by ​a​ member must be clean​ed​ and put back​ when ​done.​

All cell phones must be turned off while in the studio space where classes are held.

All videos, publications and all other like sources  used for all of our programs are used per the an exception to the Canadian Copyright Act that outlines the permits unauthorized use of copyrighted materials for specific  purposes such as private study and education.

Class Policies

Cancellation Policy

There are no refunds for any punchards or passes purchased from us. Payment for all classes must be received prior to the scheduled class date. All transactions are made in Canadian dollars. Any agent of Karma Yoga (e.g a yoga teacher, etc) may expel anyone for any reason from the spaces and premises of Karma Yoga and only the Owner or Studio Manager shall have right to override this.

Schedule Changes Policy

Karma Yoga reserves the right to change its class schedule at any time for any reasons.

Other

Any members shall be able to come into a class up to 15 mins after it has started.

Teacher Training Policies

Definition

Teacher training in relation to this policy means yoga workshops and yoga teacher training offered by Karma Yoga.

A student in relation to this policy means all candidates (i.e individuals who have submitted an application, paid fees, etc) or who are students actively enrolled in a program with Karma Yoga.

Admission Policy

Karma Yoga is committed to enrolling students who meet all of our program admission criteria and who are likely to succeed in meeting their education and career goals.

Reviews

In exchange for affordable yoga teacher training, all students agree to not write any reviews regarding Karma Yoga unless asked to in writing by Karma Yoga specifically.

Student Agreement

All students be they an online or in person, are required to sign a student agreement within 3 days of registering/paying for a program, failing to do so will forfeit all monies paid upon registration/paying.

Passing Policy

All programs have specific passing polices, if there dispute for lack syllabus or other reason the to successfully pass any Karma Yoga Teacher Training  program students must:

  • Attend 100 percent of the program in order to graduate unless ​absence is ​due to ​an ​illness worth 10 percent.
  • Students are expected to reasonably participate in class discussions and get along with everyone worth 40 percent.
  • To successfully pass all evaluated assignments or classes (e.g. certification class) worth 50 percent.

Evaluation Policy

All yoga teacher training programs shall  evaluate each candidate per the passing policy to  determine their pass or fail in a program. No certificate will be issued until the evaluation process is completed. Karma Yoga reserves  the right to take what time it needs to properly evaluate each student, thus evaluation happens on a student to student basis. A condition in receiving a certificate may be - at Karma Yoga option -  to show government issued ID with a clear picture and clear signature, to assure  the certificate is awarded to  the same person who registered for the course.

Postponement Policy

Karma Yoga has the unilateral right to postpone any program  scheduled to run up to one year from the start date of any program due to low attendance or similar reason.

Karma Classes

All students, where it applies, must complete the number of karma classes  prior to receiving a certificate of completion, unless otherwise stated. If a pass is given and karma class intention form is signed a certificate can be given to a student prior to the completion of the karma classes.

Refund Policy

No refund​ will given for fees paid for any yoga teacher training programs​, this inlcudes partial payments and deposits also. With a written request prior to the start of a paid program​a credit equal to the amount paid may be issued and can be applied to future programs​ at Karma Yoga or other ​Karma Yoga ​products (e.g. class​es​). ​T​his credit will need to be used within 1 year​ of​ it being issued  after that time any credit will be forfeited and is contingent on not breaching any policy related to being a student and the Code of Conduct before the credit is used, any breach will lead to the forfeiting of any credit (e. threatening, bullying, etc).

Enrollment

All students in any yoga teacher training program(s) may only be enrolled and registered in our programs  and may not be enrolled or registered in another schools program while they are a student with ours and may only registered and enrolled in another school when they are no longer a student of ours either having completed their program(s) or having signed a unregister/withdraw statement.

Non Disclosure Policy

Students  may gain access to others personal info and experiences of others while in a yoga program; all students  therefore agree to keep all information confidential while and after any program taken with Karma Yoga forever.

Payment Plans

Any student/applicant who pays a deposit to hold spot in any program offered by Karma Yoga must pay the balance owing before the first day of any in person program they initial registered for, unless there is a written payment plan signed and approved with Karma Yoga. Payment plans must be paid as outlined in the payment plan regardless if the student is able to attend the program they initially registered for.  Regardless to any postponement to an initial start date, the balance is still due on the initial start date. Invoices must be paid upon receipt regardless if the student is able to start the program at the time they are invoiced. Any  failure to pay a balance within 2 weeks of the schedule due  date will be expelled from  the program permanently.

Scholarship Policy

Student​s​ ​who receive ​ any sort scholarship are expected to give back to Karma Yoga ​through karma ​hours (e.g. teaching, writing blogs, reviews, etc) proportionate​ to the scholarship they received  at the rate one hour for one hour. Scholarship students will receive a certificate upon the successful completion the hours per their scholarship. Students who receive any scholarship can not compete with Karma Yoga within any market they run programs, unless they receive written permission from Karma Yoga.

Discount Policy

All persons who receive any discounts from Karma Yoga shall for consideration of these discounts forgo giving any bad review against Karma Yoga.

Guarantees, Warranties and Experimental

We do not warrant or guarantee the service of any programs we offer.  We promise only a certificate of completion for any student who has successfully completed a program with us. We also reserve the unilateral right to be associated/registered with any yoga body/association we want and to change our association/registration with any yoga body without prior notice and we also reserve the right to give only a  certificate of completion only without registration with any yoga association/body. Also any program taken in its entirety is deemed be accepted as satisfied by the student taking it. Also we run experimental programs and at times break with normal professional protocols.

Liquidated Damages

All students agree to a liquidated damages of $5000 per breach or contravention of the following:

  • Writing a review about Karma Yoga or one of its agents without Karma Yoga written consent.
  • Making a complaint against Karma Yoga or one of its agents without Karma Yoga written consent.
  • Extorting Karma Yoga or one of its agents be it in person or online.

Aside to these specific contraventions, any breach or contravention of any other Karma Yoga policy, all students agree to a liquidated damages of $2000 per breach or contravention.

Codes of Conduct

Karma Yoga expects students to adhere to a code of conduct while taking programs with Karma Yoga. The list below outlines the code of conduct that all students are expected to follow. This list is not exhaustive and students should request clarification from the Director of Teacher Training if they have any questions.“Student” is defined as including prospective students as well as those currently registered in a program with Karma Yoga. Students are expected to follow the following conduct, hereby know as code of conduct, list A:

  • Attend school in accordance with the Attendance Policy.
  • Treat all students and staff with respect.
  • Disparaging any teacher, employee or the school itself verbally, in writing or online.
  • Refrain from any bullying or  disruptive or offensive classroom behavior.
  • Refrain from cheating or plagiarizing in completing class assignments.
  • Treat school property with respect.
  • Not be absent or leaving a class not completed  and without permission.
  • Do not bring weapons of any kind (i.e. knives, guns) to school.
  • Complete all assignments and examinations on the scheduled completion dates.
  • Refrain from bringing any alcohol or any prohibited mood altering substances to the Institution.
  • Refrain from making inappropriate remarks concerning another student or staff’s ethnicity, race, religion or sexual orientation.
  • Vandalism of school property.

If any of the above are substantiated,  it will result in either: a verbal warning or  a written warning or a corrective measure or a temporary dismissal ranging from a few hours up to 5 days. Any repeat of the same conduct may lead to an immediate and permanent expulsion from their program and school.

Any student determined by Karma Yoga caught doing the following will be permanently expelled from their program(s) without  the right to a hearing, hereby know as code of conduct, list B:

Lying, colluding, conspiring, extorting, threatening, stealing, sexual assault, physical assault or other violent acts committed on or off campus against any student, verbal abuse or threats and any other conduct which is determined to be detrimental or damaging to the other students, staff members or the Institution.

Karma Yoga reserves the sole right to expel any student at anytime from any in person and offer an online program in its place, as a way for the student to complete the program. Karma Yoga as reserves the sole right to limit any  student remaining time for any online program to 60 days, i.e. thus upon being notified the student will have 60 day to complete their course.

Other

If the student owes tuition or other fees to the school, the head of the school will undertake the collection of the amount owing and no certificate will be issued until all tuition is paid in full.

All students - current and prior - agree and consent to allow Karma Yoga to use reasonably their assignments as blogs or other educational materials without prior notice for the purpose of teaching yoga to other students and the public at large.

Karma Yoga has the right to audio record, video  record or photograph all individuals in spaces occupied by them for safety, quality control, promotions or other reasonable reason(s). All those on these spaces consent to this for  consideration of services being provided to all students and clients. All individuals on spaces occupied by Karma Yoga may only use audio, video, photographic or like medium with the written consent with an authorized signature from Karma Yoga.

Conditional Passes and Considerations

Students may be offered a conditional pass which is based on some aspect to qualifying to receive a certificate was not met (e.g handing in assignments late, conduct, etc), for a conditional pass students give up all rights to review, complain or like to others in the course and to all those outside the program (e.g the public).

Students may be  offered additional consideration to  receiving a certificate or what is covered by the course. Any added considerations is accepted with the understanding  that the student agrees to give up all rights to review, complain, file or like to others in the course and to all those outside the program (e.g the public).

All students for consideration of affordable tuition agree to sign any waiver that affirms any of the above  policies.

Aside to giving up all rights to take legal action against Karma Yoga and one of its agents, students further give up right act as a witness, testify or provide any legal support in any way for any legal action brought against Karma Yoga or one of its agents.

Seversability

The invalidity of any policy shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other policy.

Copyright and Like

All the videos used in our services directly link to the source of the video via a playlist on our YouTube Channel and where necessary, we purchase a licensed copy off of YouTube for each new client to avoid copyright infringement and  to properly compensate the authors and artists.

All publications we use in our services, where applicable, we purchase a licensed copy for each new client to avoid copyright infringement and  to properly compensate the authors.