Health & Safety

Your wellbeing matters

SAOMA experiences may include movement, bodywork, breath, sound, music, somatic practices and other immersive experiences. Some practices may produce intense physical or emotional responses. Please read this information before participating. These activities are for wellbeing, personal exploration and experiential purposes; they do not replace medical, psychiatric or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. If in doubt, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Possible responses during practice

Responses vary between individuals and may include temporary changes in breathing, tingling, muscle tension or contractions, heat or cold, sweating, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, headache, trembling, crying, laughter, intense emotions, heightened sensory awareness, unusual bodily sensations or fatigue. You may reduce intensity, return to natural breathing, rest or stop at any time. Inform a facilitator of any concerning symptoms.

BEFORE PARTICIPATING

Intensive breath-based, somatic or physical practices may not suit everyone. Obtain medical advice or clearance if any of the following apply, or if you are unsure whether a practice is appropriate for you:

• Epilepsy, seizure disorders or history of seizures; stroke or transient ischaemic attack.
• Serious cardiovascular disease, previous heart attack, heart failure, serious arrhythmias, uncontrolled high blood pressure, aneurysm or relevant history.
• Glaucoma, detached retina or significant retinal conditions; implanted medical devices where exertion may be contraindicated.
• Serious respiratory disease, COPD, severe or unstable asthma, unstable diabetes.
• Osteoporosis, significant bone or joint conditions, serious unhealed injuries or recent major surgery.
• Serious neurological conditions, unstable serious chronic illness, active cancer treatment or significant medical treatment where exertion is not advised.

Mental health and intensive practices

Intense emotions or altered states of awareness may occur. Seek medical or mental health advice beforehand for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders or history of psychotic episodes, severe dissociative disorders, severe or unstable mental health conditions, recent psychiatric hospitalization, recent serious emotional crisis, active suicidal thoughts, severe or complex PTSD without adequate professional support, or severe substance withdrawal. SAOMA facilitators do not diagnose or treat psychiatric or psychological conditions.

Pregnancy and asthma

Intensive breathing, some somatic practices and certain movements may not be appropriate during pregnancy. Inform SAOMA in advance and obtain appropriate healthcare advice. If you have asthma, tell your facilitator and bring prescribed inhalers or rescue medication. Severe, unstable or poorly controlled asthma requires medical advice before participation.

Alcohol, substances, food and hydration

Do not participate under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs or psychedelic substances. Do not attend intensive practices if you have consumed them in the previous 24 hours. SAOMA may refuse participation where there is reasonable safety concern. Prolonged fasting is not required by default: stay adequately hydrated and do not undertake intensive practices after prolonged fasting without specific safe instructions. Communicate retreat food allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements in advance.

Responsibility and personal limits

Before participating, inform SAOMA through the designated secure channel of relevant medical conditions, injuries, medication, treatment, recent surgery, pregnancy, psychological circumstances or other situations affecting participation. Medical clearance may be requested. Follow instructions, respect your physical and emotional limits, never force movements or breathing techniques and stop if you feel unsafe or unwell. Respect others’ boundaries and remain within designated areas. You may stop any exercise at any time. SAOMA may modify or stop a practice for safety. Do not share medical information in this website’s contact form.

Breath safety

Never practise intensive breathing techniques where dizziness, loss of consciousness or reduced awareness could cause injury: while driving, in water, swimming, in baths, working at height, operating machinery or in any other hazardous environment.

Retreat health and safety

Communicate relevant medical circumstances, allergies, dietary requirements, mobility limitations, medication, injuries, pregnancy or mental health circumstances affecting participation in advance through the designated secure channel. Bring your necessary prescribed medication. Travel insurance covering medical care, accidents, cancellation, disruption and belongings is recommended. For international retreats, you are responsible for passports, visas, entry and health requirements, insurance and destination documentation.

Respect and group safety

Respect participants, facilitators, staff, venues and local communities. SAOMA may remove someone whose behaviour creates a safety risk, seriously disrupts the experience, harasses others, violates boundaries, damages the venue or is threatening or abusive.

External participation document

Certain experiences require a Health Declaration and Participant Waiver before attending. After booking, a secure link will be provided to an external platform managing the information, acknowledgements and electronic signature. This website does not collect or store medical data or signatures. This is a requirement to participate, not to browse the website.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

SAOMA Collective and its facilitators are not a substitute for physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists or other healthcare professionals. Experiences are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent physical or mental illness. Participation is voluntary. Each participant is responsible for assessing their own physical and emotional condition and consulting a healthcare professional when appropriate. Experiences and results may vary.

Safety and rights that remain

Awareness of risks and voluntary participation do not release SAOMA from its duty of care or applicable legal liability. No external consent can remove non-waivable rights in Mexico or Spain. If serious symptoms or an emergency arise, stop the practice and seek urgent healthcare assistance; this website is not an emergency service.