BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS & PRIVACY POLICY
RETURN TO CALM STUDIO
ABN: 48 101 239 369
Last updated: 11 October 2026, Version 1
These Terms and Conditions apply to all services provided by Return to Calm Studio, including in-studio and mobile services.
By booking a service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood and agreed to these Terms and Conditions, subject to your rights under applicable Australian law.
1. Nature of Services
Return to Calm Studio provides complementary wellbeing experiences, including Peter Hess® Sound Massage, sound meditation and additional wellness rituals such as foot soaking.
Peter Hess® Sound Massage involves therapeutic-quality singing bowls being placed on or around the clothed body and gently sounded to create audible tones and vibrations.
Our services are intended to support relaxation and general wellbeing. They are not a substitute for medical, psychological, physiotherapy or other professional healthcare assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
Return to Calm Studio does not diagnose, prescribe medication or claim to treat or cure medical conditions.
Individual experiences and responses vary. No specific health outcome or therapeutic benefit is guaranteed.
2. Appointments & Studio Guidelines
2.1 Booking Requirements
All applicable forms must be completed and payment must be made before a session can commence.
Clients are responsible for reviewing relevant contraindications and disclosing any health concerns before attending. Written medical clearance may be requested where appropriate, using our medical clearance form.
The Studio may postpone or decline a session if the necessary information or medical clearance has not been provided.
2.2 Punctuality & Late Arrivals
Clients are expected to arrive at their scheduled appointment time. Late arrivals may result in a shortened session or be treated as a no-show in accordance with Section 6.4.
2.3 Guests & Companions
Children, dependants, pets and additional companions are not permitted unless prior approval has been obtained from the practitioner, verbally or in writing.
2.4 Parking & Access
Clients must follow all parking and access instructions provided by the Studio. Driveways, entrances and shared access areas must remain unobstructed.
Failure to comply may result in the appointment being postponed or terminated where necessary for safety or access.
2.5 Smoking & Prohibited Substances
Smoking, vaping and illicit substance use are strictly prohibited on the premises.
Clients who are intoxicated or whose behaviour creates a safety concern may be refused service or have their session terminated.
2.6 Property & Equipment Care
Clients are expected to treat the premises, furnishings and equipment with reasonable care.
Clients may be responsible for reasonable repair or replacement costs arising from damage caused by their negligence, deliberate actions or misuse, subject to applicable law.
3. Treatment, Comfort & Informed Consent
3.1 Physical Contact
Sound massage may involve occasional professional physical contact when positioning singing bowls, adjusting blankets, bolsters or pillows, or assisting with equipment placement.
The practitioner will explain relevant contact and seek consent before proceeding.
Clients may request modifications or decline physical contact at any time.
3.2 Possible Responses & Risks
Clients may experience temporary physical or emotional responses during or after a session, including:
Drowsiness or deep relaxation;
Light-headedness or dizziness;
Tingling or changes in body awareness;
Temporary discomfort or restlessness; and
Emotional responses.
These experiences are not guaranteed and should not be interpreted as evidence of healing, detoxification or the release of underlying medical or emotional conditions.
Persistent, severe or concerning symptoms should be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
3.3 Medications & Medical Conditions
Clients taking medications or managing medical conditions that may affect alertness, blood pressure, balance or physical comfort should seek advice from their treating healthcare professional where appropriate.
Clients should not discontinue or alter prescribed medication based on a sound massage experience.
3.4 Comfort & Communication
Additional supports, including pillows, blankets and bolsters, may be provided to improve comfort.
Clients are encouraged to communicate any discomfort, pain, sensory concerns or unexpected reactions immediately so the practitioner can pause or modify the session.
3.5 Ongoing Consent
Participation is voluntary. Clients may withdraw consent or request to pause, modify or terminate their session at any time.
Where a client voluntarily terminates their session early, including due to feeling unwell or experiencing discomfort, the full booking fee remains payable. No refund will ordinarily be provided for the unused portion of the reserved appointment, subject to applicable Australian Consumer Law.
4. Health, Safety & Client Responsibilities
4.1 Illness & Infectious Conditions
Clients must not attend in-studio appointments while experiencing symptoms of a potentially infectious illness or where attendance would create a material infection risk.
Please contact the Studio as soon as possible to arrange cancellation or rescheduling. For illness related events, a one time waiver may be considered for first-time cancellations.
The standard cancellation and rebooking policy applies to client-initiated changes, including those arising from illness or unexpected circumstances, subject to applicable Australian law.
4.2 Personal Medications & Medical Devices
For your safety and comfort, please ensure you bring any prescribed medications or personal medical devices you may require during your visit (such as asthma relievers, adrenaline autoinjectors, or diabetes management equipment). Please note that our sessions are non-clinical wellbeing experiences; insurance does not cover our practitioners to provide medical treatment or routine medication administration as part of the service.
4.3 Accurate Health Information & Contraindications
Clients agree to provide accurate and reasonably complete information about relevant health conditions, medications, injuries, implanted devices and other factors that may affect the suitability or safe delivery of a session.
Clients must advise the practitioner of relevant changes before subsequent appointments.
Sound Massage
Contraindications for sound massage include pregnancy, reflex epilepsy, osteoporosis or bone-related disease, deep vein thrombosis (including suspected cases), severely uncontrolled blood pressure, recent surgery (within three months), unhealed fractures or major injuries.
Medical clearance may be required for clients receiving specialist care for certain conditions, including severe mental health conditions, cancer and cardiac conditions such as arrhythmias or structural heart defects.
An adjusted approach may be considered for clients with metal implants, pacemakers or other implanted medical devices, subject to an individual safety assessment and medical clearance where appropriate.
Sound Meditation
Sound meditation is generally suitable for most people. Clients with epilepsy, sound-triggered seizures, significant sound sensitivity, tinnitus or migraines should seek medical advice and disclose their condition before booking.
Clients who choose to proceed acknowledge the potential risks of adverse effects and accept responsibility for their informed participation, subject to applicable Australian law.
4.4 Premises & Studio Safety
Clients must exercise reasonable care when entering, moving around or leaving the premises, including when using the massage table and accessing areas near the swimming pool.
Clients must follow reasonable safety instructions and remain within designated client-access areas.
Return to Calm Studio is not responsible for loss or injury caused solely by a client's reckless or deliberate actions, except to the extent liability cannot lawfully be excluded.
4.5 Post-Session Alertness
Some clients may experience relaxation, drowsiness or temporary light-headedness after a session.
Clients should allow sufficient time to regain their usual alertness before driving or undertaking activities requiring concentration.
Clients who feel unfit to drive must arrange alternative transportation.
5. Practitioner Rights & Professional Boundaries
5.1 Service Modification or Termination
Return to Calm Studio reserves the right to pause, modify, postpone, decline or terminate a service where reasonably necessary due to:
Health or safety concerns;
Relevant undisclosed medical information;
Inappropriate, threatening or unsafe behaviour;
Intoxication or substance-related impairment;
Breaches of professional boundaries; or
Circumstances preventing safe or appropriate service delivery.
Where a session is terminated because a client has intentionally withheld or misrepresented relevant health or safety information, preventing the safe delivery of the service, the full booking fee remains payable and no refund will ordinarily be provided, subject to applicable Australian Consumer Law.
5.2 Respectful Conduct
Clients and practitioners are expected to maintain respectful communication and appropriate professional boundaries.
Harassment, discrimination, threatening behaviour and inappropriate physical contact will not be tolerated.
5.3 Changes to Terms
The Studio may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. The terms accepted at the time of booking will ordinarily apply to that booking unless a change is agreed upon or required by law. The current version will be made available through the Studio's website or upon request. Versions of previous updates will be archived by the Studio to maintain historical accuracy and reference.
6. Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy
Each appointment is individually reserved and prepared for the client. To respect our practitioner's time and other clients, the following notice periods and fees apply. Cancellations and reschedules must be made via email, Whatsapp or calling within business hours.
6.1 In-Studio Cancellation Notice
At least 24 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule an in-studio appointment without charge.
6.2 Late In-Studio Cancellation
Cancellations with no intentions to reschedule, made with less than 24 hours' notice incur a fee of 50% of the booked service.
Any remaining prepaid balance will be refunded to the original payment method.
6.3 Late In-Studio Rescheduling
Clients wishing to reschedule with less than 24 hours’ notice may do so, subject to availability, upon payment of a $30 administrative processing fee.
A studio voucher equivalent to your prepaid session amount minus the $30 fee will be issued, allowing you to rebook at your convenience. Vouchers are valid for 3 months from the date of issue and must be applied toward a future session.
To ensure fairness, the 3-month validity period will be automatically extended to account for any scheduled studio closures or practitioner leave. Except as required by Australian Consumer Law, vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
6.4 Late Arrivals
Late arrivals may result in a shortened appointment without a reduction in the service fee.
Arrivals exceeding 15 minutes without prior notice may be treated as a no-show where the appointment can no longer reasonably proceed.
6.5 No-Shows
Failure to attend a scheduled appointment without notice incurs a fee of 100% of the booked service, subject to applicable consumer rights.
6.6 Illness, Emergencies & Unexpected Circumstances
We understand that illness, emergencies and unforeseen circumstances can arise.
To ensure consistent treatment of all bookings, the cancellation and rescheduling policy applies regardless of the reason for a client-initiated change.
The applicable fees will be charged where the required notice period has not been met, subject to rights that cannot be excluded under Australian law.
6.7 Practitioner-Initiated Cancellation
If Return to Calm Studio cancels an appointment and cannot provide the booked service, clients will be offered a full refund or an alternative appointment without additional charge.
6.8 Consumer Rights
All cancellation, rescheduling and refund conditions operate subject to Australian Consumer Law. Nothing in this policy excludes or restricts statutory consumer guarantees or remedies.
7. Mobile Services
7.1 Mobile Service Agreement
All mobile services are subject to a separate Mobile Service Agreement, which outlines booking arrangements, service duration, travel requirements, access conditions, safety obligations, cancellation and rescheduling fees, and any additional charges.
7.2 Booking Confirmation
Clients must review and accept the Mobile Service Agreement before their booking is confirmed and payment is collected.
7.3 Additional Conditions
Where provisions differ from these general Terms and Conditions, the Mobile Service Agreement will apply to mobile-specific matters, subject to applicable Australian law.
7.4 Consumer Rights
Nothing in the Mobile Service Agreement excludes or restricts any rights or remedies available under Australian Consumer Law.
8. Privacy & Client Information
Return to Calm Studio respects client privacy and is committed to the responsible collection, storage and handling of personal and health information.
8.1 Information Collected
Information collected may include:
Name and contact details;
Emergency contact information;
Relevant medical and health history;
Intake questionnaires and consent forms;
Session notes and appointment records;
Payment and booking information; and
Correspondence relating to services.
8.2 Purpose of Collection
Information is collected to:
Assess suitability for services;
Support safe and appropriate session delivery;
Manage appointments and client records;
Communicate relevant service information; and
Meet legal, insurance and professional obligations.
8.3 Storage & Disclosure
Client information will be handled using reasonable security measures appropriate to its sensitivity.
Information may be disclosed where authorised by the client, required or permitted by law, necessary for service administration through authorised providers, or otherwise lawfully required for insurance, regulatory or legal purposes.
8.4 Record Retention
Client records will be retained for the periods required under applicable Victorian law, including the Health Records Act 2001 (Victoria), where relevant.
Records will be securely disposed of when no longer required, subject to legal retention obligations.
8.5 Access & Correction
Clients may request access to or correction of their personal and health information by contacting Return to Calm Studio.
Where significant changes to health information are required, clients may be asked to complete a new health intake form to ensure records remain accurate and up to date.
Previous records may be retained where required for legal, insurance or professional purposes. All requests will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy and health records legislation.
9. Photography, Media & Testimonials
9.1 Voluntary Participation
Participation in photographs, videos, audio recordings, testimonials or promotional activities is entirely voluntary.
Consent for these activities will be obtained separately and is not a condition of receiving services.
9.2 Use of Media
Where explicit consent has been provided, authorised material may be used for promotional, educational, website or social media purposes consistent with the consent given.
9.3 Withdrawal of Consent
Clients may withdraw consent for future use of their identifiable media or testimonials by providing written notice to Return to Calm Studio.
Withdrawal will not affect the services received.
9.4 Previously Published Material
Following withdrawal, Return to Calm Studio will cease new uses covered by the withdrawn consent and take reasonable steps to remove material under its control where required.
Material already distributed, reproduced by third parties or otherwise outside the Studio's control may not be capable of complete removal.
10. General Provisions
10.1 Consumer Guarantees
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any consumer guarantee, statutory right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation.
10.2 Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.
10.3 Contact
For booking changes, health enquiries, privacy requests or questions regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact Return to Calm Studio through the contact details published on our official website.
Website: www.returntocalmstudio.com.au
By proceeding with a booking, you acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to review these Terms and Conditions and agree to the applicable booking requirements, subject to your statutory rights.