Baum International LLC
30 N Gould St, Ste N
Sheridan, WY 82801
USA
1. Scope and Contracting Parties
These General Terms and Conditions apply to all contracts between the participant (hereinafter referred to as “Participant”) and Marianne Baum (hereinafter referred to as “Mediator”) regarding the arrangement of the services offered. The services offered include, in particular, fasting retreats, yoga retreats, massage training, seminars, online courses, and similar offerings in the spiritual field. The Mediator acts exclusively as a
mediator of these services and is not the organizer or service provider on-site. By registering for an offered service, the Participant acknowledges these Terms and Conditions as binding.
2. Scope of Services for Arranged Events
The description of each event and its schedule can be found in the corresponding service description, which is an integral part of the contract. Services not included are travel to and from the event location, as well as all services not explicitly listed in the service description.
The local organizer may also set additional conditions for the use of individual services.
3. Role of the Mediator and the Organizer
The contract for the execution of the event (e.g., retreat, seminar, course) is concluded directly between the Participant and the respective local organizer. Marianne Baum mediates these services exclusively in the name and on behalf of the organizer. The contractual partner of the customers remains exclusively the Thai provider. By booking via the website or email, the customer submits a binding offer to conclude a contract with the Thai provider. The Mediator forwards this offer to the contractual partner. The contract is concluded upon confirmation by the Thai provider. The organizer alone is responsible for the quality, proper execution, and availability of the booked services.
4. Health Requirements and Eligibility for Participation
Participation in the arranged events – especially those with physical or mental demands (such as fasting retreats, yoga, or meditation seminars) – requires the Participant to have normal physical and psychological resilience. Before registering for the event, each Participant must agree to the checkbox that asks about their health status. By registering, the Participant thus confirms that there are no health concerns preventing their participation. The Organizer and the Mediator reserve the right to exclude a Participant at any time before or during the event for health reasons if, in their dutiful discretion, continued participation would pose an unreasonable risk to the person themselves or others. In such a case, the Participant will be prohibited from further participation; any (possibly pro-rata) refund of amounts already paid will be governed by the provisions in Section 8 of these Terms and Conditions, unless the exclusion is based on pre-existing health conditions or risks culpably concealed by the Participant – in which case, a claim for reimbursement is excluded.
The Participant undertakes to inform the Organizer of all relevant pre-existing conditions, chronic ailments, allergies, regular medication intake, and other health circumstances before the start of the seminar. If the Participant conceals or downplays essential health information, neither the Mediator nor the Organizer assumes liability for resulting damages or consequential costs. The Participant is strongly advised to seek medical advice regarding eligibility for participation in case of doubt. Participation is always voluntary and at the Participant’s own risk.
5. Liability and Disclaimers
5.1 Liability of the Mediator
The Mediator is liable within the framework of legal provisions for their own breaches of duty in connection with the mediation activity. The Mediator’s liability for slight (simple) negligence is – as far as legally permissible – excluded. Claims for damages resulting from injury to life, body, or health, which are based on a negligent breach of duty by the Mediator or a legal representative or vicarious agent of the Mediator, remain unaffected. In cases of force majeure or unforeseeable events (e.g., natural disasters, pandemics, political unrest) that significantly hinder or make the provision of services impossible, the Mediator’s liability is excluded. The Mediator is not liable for service disruptions or personal and property damage related to the services provided by the respective Organizer (e.g., accommodation, program, excursions, course content). In particular, the Mediator assumes no liability for damages, losses, or accidents that occur during the event, as the Mediator is not the Organizer themselves. Any claims for service deficiencies or damages must be asserted by the Participant directly against the Organizer. The Mediator will assist the Participant in this regard and forward complaints immediately to the Organizer.
5.2 Health Risks and Disclaimer of Liability
Participation in the events and any associated activities (especially fasting and other health-related practices) is at the Participant’s own risk. Neither the Mediator nor the Organizer assumes any liability for health damages to the Participant that occur as a result of participation in the event. This applies in particular to damages resulting from pre-existing health impairments or pre-existing conditions concealed by the Participant. Medical care by the Organizer is not part of the contract; the Participant is solely responsible for seeking medical help if necessary. Costs for medical treatments, medications, hospital stays, or other health measures during or as a result of the event are not covered by either the Mediator or the Organizer. The Participant is responsible for ensuring adequate insurance coverage; they are expressly recommended to take out international travel health insurance and – where applicable – travel cancellation and interruption insurance, especially for events outside the EU (e.g., retreats in Thailand), to cover any health costs or premature travel interruption. Further liability of the Mediator or the Organizer is – as far as legally permissible – excluded. Statutory liability for gross negligence and intent, as well as any mandatory liability provisions under applicable law, remain unaffected by the foregoing disclaimers.
6. Registration and Contract Conclusion; Substitute Participants
Registration for participation in an event must generally be made in writing or in text form (e.g., using a provided registration form via email or an online booking form). By submitting the completed registration, the Participant makes a binding offer to contract. The contract is concluded as soon as the Mediator accepts the registration and sends the Participant a booking confirmation (usually by email). The binding registration obliges the Participant to pay the full participation fee (price of the event) and to participate in the booked event, subject to the following withdrawal regulations (see Section 8). The booking is personal; the Participant may only name a substitute participant with the prior consent of the Mediator. The Mediator or the Organizer may refuse consent if the proposed substitute participant does not meet the requirements for participation – in particular, the health suitability according to Section 4.
7. Payment Terms
The full participation fee is due approximately 2 months before the start of the seminar without deduction, unless otherwise agreed. Payment must be made by bank transfer to the account specified by the Mediator or via any electronic payment methods offered. The timeliness of payment is determined by the receipt of payment by the Mediator. If payment is not made on time within 7 days of the request by email, the Mediator reserves the right to reassign the spot and withdraw from the contract. In this case, the Mediator may demand compensation from the Participant in the amount of the corresponding cancellation fee according to Section 8 (as if the Participant had withdrawn at that time). For short-notice registrations (less than 14 days before the start of the event), the participation fee is due immediately. In this case, the Mediator will immediately inform the Participant of the payment information, and the Participant must transfer the amount without delay. Without full payment of the participation fee, the Participant has no right to participate in the event or use the booked services.
8. Withdrawal by the Participant (Cancellation Policy)
The Participant may withdraw from the contract at any time before the start of the event. The withdrawal (cancellation) must be declared to the Mediator in text form (e.g., by email or letter). The date of receipt of the withdrawal declaration by the Mediator is decisive for the timing of the withdrawal. In the event of a withdrawal, the following cancellation and refund rules apply: • Withdrawal up to 1 month before the start of the event: Refund of 50% of the participation fee already paid. (Example: Withdrawal at least 30 days before the start of the event) • Withdrawal up to 2 weeks before the start of the event: Refund of 20% of the participation fee. (Example: Withdrawal at least 14 days before the start) • Withdrawal within the last 7 days before the start of the event or no-show: No refund of the participation fee. Amounts already paid will be refunded to the Participant according to the above scale (possibly pro-rata). Any amounts not yet paid but already due must be paid by the Participant in the amount of the respective cancellation fee. The Participant reserves the right to prove that the Mediator and/or the Organizer incurred no damage or significantly less damage than the lump-sum cancellation costs – in this case, only the lower amount is to be paid. Note: It is strongly recommended to take out travel cancellation insurance to reduce the financial risk in case of withdrawal. A refund according to the above regulations will be made within 14 days of receipt of the withdrawal declaration to an account to be designated by the Participant.
9. Cancellation of the Event / Withdrawal by Organizer or Mediator
The Organizer reserves the right to cancel the event for important reasons. Important reasons may include, in particular: cases of force majeure (e.g., natural disasters, political unrest, epidemics at the event location), insufficient participant numbers making meaningful execution impossible, or the absence of a key leader (e.g., course instructor) without the possibility of replacement. The Mediator may also withdraw from the contract if the provision of mediation services becomes unreasonable for comparably important reasons. In such cases, the Mediator will inform the Participants immediately as soon as the reason for cancellation is known. In the event of a cancellation before the start of the event, Participants will receive a 100% refund of the full participation fee paid. Further claims by the Participant due to the cancellation do not exist, unless the reason for cancellation is due to intentional or grossly negligent conduct of the Mediator or the Organizer. In particular, there is no claim for reimbursement of further expenses incurred by the Participant (e.g., already booked travel costs, accommodation, vacation days, or other consequential costs). The Mediator may – if organizationally possible – suggest an alternative date or an alternative, equivalent offer to the Participant; however, the Participant is not obliged to accept this and may instead choose a full refund. If the event must be canceled after its start due to force majeure or important reasons for which the Organizer is not responsible, the unused portion of the participation fee will be refunded proportionally. In this case, too, further claims are excluded. In the event of a cancellation or exclusion due to the Participant’s health reasons (cf. Section 4) or conduct for which the Participant is responsible (e.g., serious breaches of behavioral obligations), there is no claim for reimbursement for unused services.
10. Participant’s Obligations and Cooperation
The Participant is obliged to follow the instructions of the Organizer, the seminar or retreat management, and the local staff – especially those serving safety, health, and order during the event. In the event of serious breaches by the Participant of instructions, contractual conditions, or applicable local laws, the Organizer may exclude the Participant from further participation after a prior warning. In such a case, there is no right to a refund for unused services, and any additional costs (e.g., for early departure) shall be borne by the Participant. The Participant must observe the usual duties of care. In particular, they are responsible for securing their personal valuables; the Mediator and the Organizer assume no liability for loss, theft, or damage to the Participant’s personal property during the event. For travel abroad (e.g., retreats outside Germany), the Participant is responsible for fulfilling all applicable entry requirements of the destination country (valid passport, visa, vaccinations, etc.) in a timely manner. If the Participant violates these and therefore cannot participate in the event or must cancel it prematurely, the aforementioned cancellation rules (see Section 8) apply. In this case, the Mediator and the Organizer assume no liability for the consequences of the violation for which the Participant is responsible.
11. No Right of Withdrawal for Consumers
The booking of an event from the Mediator’s offerings (e.g., a retreat, seminar, or similar leisure event) constitutes a contract for services related to leisure activities, which is provided for a specific date or period. Therefore, a statutory right of withdrawal of 14 days according to § 312g para. 2 no. 9 BGB does not exist, even if the contract is concluded via distance communication (e.g., online booking, email). This applies regardless of the remaining time until the start of the event, especially for short-notice bookings less than 14 days before the start. The Participant therefore has no right to withdraw their registration within 14 days without stating reasons. The provisions of Sections 8 and 9 (Withdrawal/Cancellation) remain unaffected and allow for withdrawal under the conditions stated therein.
12. Data Protection
We refer to our Privacy Policy, which can be viewed under Contact and contains all details regarding the type, scope, purpose, legal basis, storage period, and your data subject rights.
14. Severability Clause
Should individual provisions of this contract or these Terms and Conditions be or become invalid or unenforceable after the conclusion of the contract, this shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. The invalid or unenforceable provision shall be replaced by a valid and enforceable provision whose effects come closest to the economic objective of the original provision. The same applies in the event of any contractual loopholes. Amendments or additions to the contract and these Terms and Conditions require written form to be effective, unless a stricter form is legally prescribed. There are no verbal ancillary agreements.