Come As You Are

COME AS YOU ARE | WEEKLY CIRCLE

Participant Acknowledgement, Health Declaration & Liability Waiver

About Come As You Are

Come As You Are is a gentle, heart-led women’s circle that may include:

• Heart-sharing and personal reflection
• Guided meditation or visualisation
• Conscious breathing or gentle breathwork practices
• Relaxation, grounding and body-awareness practices
• Quiet personal reflection and oracle guidance

The practices offered may vary from week to week.

This circle is designed to be gentle and accessible. Every practice is invitational and may be modified to support individual needs. I understand that I am always free to participate in a way that feels appropriate for me, including breathing naturally, resting, remaining seated or lying down, keeping my eyes open, choosing not to share, or stopping a practice at any time.

Acknowledgement of Possible Experiences

I understand that meditation, conscious breathing, relaxation and personal reflection can affect people differently.

Possible experiences may include, but are not limited to:

• Dizziness, light-headedness or tingling
• Changes in breathing, heart rate, body temperature or energy
• Muscle tension, trembling or physical discomfort
• Tiredness, heightened awareness or deep relaxation
• Emotional sensitivity, memories or unexpected emotions
• Feelings of vulnerability arising through personal reflection or group sharing

If I experience discomfort, I understand that I may return to my natural breathing rhythm, change position, open my eyes, pause, rest or discontinue the practice.

I agree to let the facilitator know if I feel unwell, overwhelmed or concerned at any time.

Health and Participation

I understand that gentle conscious breathing may be adapted for many people. However, some breathing practices may not be suitable, or may need to be modified, if I am pregnant or have a current or previous health condition, including but not limited to:

• Cardiovascular disease or a serious heart condition
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• A history of stroke, aneurysm or blood clots
• Epilepsy or seizures
• Glaucoma or retinal detachment
• Significant respiratory conditions
• Recent surgery, injury or hospitalisation
• A serious or unstable medical condition
• A history of psychosis, schizophrenia, mania or another severe or currently unstable mental health condition
• Significant trauma, panic attacks or a condition that may be affected by breathwork, meditation or emotional reflection

Having one of these conditions does not necessarily mean that I cannot attend the circle. It may mean that certain practices need to be modified or that I participate through natural, relaxed breathing only.

I agree to inform Journey of Self of any relevant physical, mental or emotional condition, medication, pregnancy, injury or other concern that may affect my safe participation.

If I am uncertain about whether participation is suitable for me, I understand that I should seek guidance from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before attending.

I understand that the facilitator may recommend that I modify or refrain from a particular practice where there is a reasonable concern for my wellbeing.

Personal Choice and Responsibility

I understand that I am responsible for listening to my body, honouring my personal boundaries and choosing my own level of participation.

I understand that I may:

• Decline to answer a question or share personal information
• Choose not to participate in any particular practice
• Modify a breathing or meditation practice
• Return to my normal breathing at any time
• Ask questions or request additional support
• Leave the room or session if I need to

I agree not to participate while affected by alcohol, recreational drugs or any substance that may impair my awareness, judgement or ability to participate safely.

Nature of the Service

I understand that Come As You Are is a personal wellbeing, self-awareness and group connection experience.

It is not medical care, psychotherapy, psychological treatment, psychiatric treatment, counselling or crisis support. The facilitator does not diagnose, treat or cure medical or mental health conditions, and participation is not a substitute for care from an appropriately qualified health professional.

No particular physical, emotional, spiritual or therapeutic outcome is promised or guaranteed.

Group Confidentiality and Respect

I agree to respect the privacy and confidentiality of everyone attending the circle.

I will not share another participant’s personal story, identity or experience outside the group without their clear permission.

I understand that Journey of Self will ask all participants to honour confidentiality; however, because this is a group environment, complete confidentiality by other participants cannot be guaranteed.

I agree to communicate and participate respectfully and to honour the personal boundaries, beliefs and experiences of others.

Physical Contact

From time to time, the facilitator may offer supportive touch, such as a hand on the shoulder, as part of grounding or emotional support.

I understand that physical contact is optional and will only occur with my consent. I may decline or withdraw my consent at any time.

Please select one:

☐ I am comfortable being asked whether I would like supportive touch.

☐ Please do not offer me physical touch.

Voluntary Participation and Acknowledgement of Risk

I understand that my participation is voluntary.

I acknowledge that participation in meditation, conscious breathing, personal reflection and group sharing involves some possibility of physical discomfort, emotional sensitivity or other unexpected responses.

I voluntarily accept the ordinary and disclosed risks associated with my participation and agree to take reasonable responsibility for my own choices, actions and wellbeing during and following the session.

Release of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, I release and hold harmless Journey of Self, its facilitator, assistants and the venue from claims arising from the ordinary and disclosed risks of my voluntary participation.

This release does not exclude any right or protection that cannot lawfully be excluded, nor does it excuse a failure by Journey of Self to provide its services with reasonable care and skill.

Consent and Agreement

By completing and accepting this form, I confirm that:

• I have read and understood the information provided.
• I have had the opportunity to ask questions.
• I have disclosed any relevant health conditions or concerns.
• I understand that all practices are optional and may be modified.
• I voluntarily choose to participate in Come As You Are.
• I accept responsibility for communicating my needs and participating within my personal capacity.

Participant Details

Contact

If you have a condition or concern you would like to discuss privately before attending, please contact:

Bec Price | Journey of Self
bec@journeyofself.com.au
0433 856 053

Please let Bec know before each circle about any new condition, injury, pregnancy, medication change or change in your wellbeing that could affect your participation.

Your wellbeing, choice and personal boundaries are important throughout every Come As You Are circle.