My First Float

What will floatation therapy be like for me?

We don’t know what it will be like for you since it is such an individual experience. Nearly every client reports having profound peace and relaxation, as well as deep concentration and enhanced creativity. We like to avoid saying too much before people use our float pools, so they aren’t influenced by others’ experiences. Everything you experience while floating comes from within yourself; therefore, you control your own experience. Not only will it be different for you than it is for anyone else, it will also be different each time you float. We recommend a minimum of three-four float therapy sessions to get comfortable with the floating and experience all the floatation therapy benefits. We have clients whose lives have been transformed by floating.

What To Expect & How To Prepare

Please arrive 15-20 minutes prior to your float session appointment time.

Arrive 30 minutes prior if you plan on taking an oxygen aromatherapy session to start the relaxation process. We will greet you, offer a tour and answer any of your questions. We want you to feel welcome and relaxed. We do not recommend drinking fluids before your session to prevent interrupting your session by needing to use the facilities or floating after a big meal. Don’t shave the day of your appointment, it might sting a bit.

Once you enter your private float room, remove your clothes and all jewelry (we recommend floating nude). Insert the ear plugs provided. Shower to remove oils, deodorants, and hair products. All shower and float session items are provided for you. No conditioner is allowed prior to your session. We recommend if you have long hair, to tie it up.

Dry your face to avoid distracting water droplets, insert your ear plugs and step into the pool. Cover any small cuts with Vaseline (provided).

You have control over the light in the pool. Turn it off when you are ready to begin your session.

Lie back, resting your head into the water, legs extended, and arms over your head or extended at your side.

Your ears will be below the water line, but your face will remain above it. Find what is comfortable for you. We also provide a neck pillow should you need it.

A light will come on and a “bing bong” chime will come on when your session is over.
Exit the pool carefully, then shower again to remove any salty residue. At this point, you may now use conditioner. Once you’re dressed, please exit the room to make way for cleanup and the next floater.

You may use the bathroom for grooming. Hair dryers are provided for your convenience. We recommend bringing your own hairbrush, as well as any styling products, if necessary.

No need to rush off. Enjoy your post-float state of mind in the Relaxation Room or enjoy some conversation and refreshments in our Tea House. Water for hydration is always complimentary.

View our FAQs and benefits below, for more information about floatation therapy.

Benefits of Floatation Therapy

Body

Floatation therapy is a perfectly still experience with no contact points, no movement, and no postural muscle action. When you’re free from gravity, your body has a chance to rest and recover up to 4 times faster than regular bed rest. This reduces blood pressure and oxygen intake, as well as, increases blood flow and distribution of red blood cells. The combined effects aid in flushing lactate, cortisone, and adrenaline that may have built up during exercise. Floatation therapy also helps loosen the muscles and give athletes a greater degree of control over their nervous systems. This reduces the risk of injury, accelerates the recovery process, and releases vast quantities of endorphins. Endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller, help relieve pain from injuries, soreness or chronic pain in the muscles and joints. The release of endorphins to kill pain is a completely natural and powerful effect, working alongside natural healing and repair processes. The benefits of floatation therapy on the body include:

Accelerate Muscle Recovery

As the pressure of gravity is relieved from your muscles, built up tension decreases, helping every muscle in your body relax like never before.

Lower Blood Pressure

Complete isolation of all senses while inside the pool, lowers the sensory input of sight, sound, and touch, calming the nervous system, which in turn lowers overall blood pressure levels.

Reduce Swelling & Inflammation

The high concentration of Epsom salt (1,323 lbs.) dissolved in the float pool will draw out harmful toxins, easing swelling and inflammation.

Muscle Tissue Regeneration

While floating in a deeply relaxed state, blood circulation improves, advancing the growth and regeneration of muscle tissue.

Ease Joint Pain

Floating in a pool of water this dense will completely support your body, allowing increased blood flow to your joints and soft tissues.

Relieve Back & Neck Pain

The zero gravity environment that is experienced while floating, relieves built up pressures and tension on the back and neck. As they are no longer fighting the pull of gravity.

Relieve Migraines & Headaches

Endorphins, a natural occurring chemical in the body, trigger positive emotion and pain relief. Endorphins are released while floating, providing the body with a sense of elation, critical for fighting off migraines and headaches.

Body Cleanse & Detox

Epsom salt increases the number of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. This also strengthens the walls in the digestive track which will help release toxins.

Improve Nerve Function
 Electrolytes are electronically charged minerals that balance the body’s essential fluids, and are the key components of Epsom salt. The Epsom salt boosts electrolytic regulation, which in turn enhances the function of the nervous system.
Soothe Nervous System

Epsom salt, when absorbed through the body helps voluntary (muscle) and involuntary (heartbeat) movements.

Generate Proteins

Epsom salt is made of magnesium and sulfate. Sulfate is a key factor in forming proteins inside your joints. This is easily absorbed by the skin while floating. Magnesium is required for biochemical reactions your DNA and RNA need for synthesis (replication).

Strengthen Bones

Many Americans do not have a proper balance of calcium to magnesium. Magnesium assists in balancing calcium levels in the body. A healthy 2:1 ratio will promote the strengthening of bones and help prevent osteoporosis.

Improve Circulation

Magnesium prohibits arterial hardening. It also improves oxygen utilization. Both combined will increase blood circulation.

Accelerate Metabolism

Magnesium is incorporated in the metabolism processes of all nutrients, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Mind

We know that our brain is comprised of a left hemisphere (responsible for logic and analytical thinking) and a right hemisphere (responsible for intuition and creativity). Floatation therapy promotes hemispheric brain wave synchronization that results in overall mental health and enhanced cognitive performance. While floating, our brain is free from all the distractions of daily life including light, sounds, and gravity. Up to 90% of brain activity is subconscious calculations of movement in relation to gravity and sensory perception. Floatation therapy deprives this external stimulus, and provides the brain with excess energy and thinking capacity to focus on things like repairing the body, cognition, and visualization skills. Floatation therapy often transitions the brain waves from our usual Beta state (awake and alert) to Alpha state (transition between sleep and awake), and even lower to Theta state (hypnotic and extreme relaxation). This enables you to freely explore your mind and help expand your consciousness and awareness. The benefits of floatation therapy on the mind include:

Enable Complete Relaxation

Free from gravity’s pull, temperature, touch, sight, and sound. Floating “resets” the body’s hormonal and metabolic balance. Within as little as 15 minutes, floating can induce a meditative state equal to that of a skilled mediator with many years’ experience in meditation technique.

Relieve Stress

Stress is correlated with increased levels of cortisol. Work, poor dieting, especially coffee drinking, hard gym workouts, or anything that disturbs the body’s natural balance will cause increased levels of cortisol production. Flotation therapy has been shown to reduce overall levels dramatically.

Elevate Mental Clarity

As endorphins are released throughout your brain, anxiety lessens and the brain begins to produce theta waves causing you to visualize more vividly.

Accelerate Learning

Time in the pool allows the mind to be free from all external distractions. While floating, your mind can absorb new information quickly and on a very deep level. The learning process is accelerated while in the theta state.

Enhance Alertness

The enhanced theta brain wave state experienced while floating allows access to the right side of the brain, and is commonly associated with increased alertness, creativity, mental clarity, problem-solving, and learning.

Improve Problem Solving

Floating promotes synchronization between the left and right sides of the brain. This synchrony results in enhanced information reception and processing.

Heighten Senses

Our senses are continuously bombarded with external stimuli all the time. After a session in the floatation pod, your body has a chance to reset. Studies have shown increased visual acuity, improved tactile perception, accelerated auditory sensitivity, and an increased taste palette long after the float session is over.

Reduce Fatigue & Jet Lag

Studies show that an hour-long session of floating is equal to about four hours of deep sleep.

Reduce Anxiety

Floating reduces bloodstream levels of stress chemicals such as ACTH, epinephrine, and norepinephrine for up to five days.

Overcome Addiction

Stress levels are usually high when trying to overcome an addiction. While floating, your body relaxes completely as Epsom salt replenishes depleted essential minerals. Endorphin “feel good” hormones are naturally produced. Anxiety and depression loosen the grip, allowing you to feel at peace. You have an insight to your recovery path and can clearly visualize your goals.

Conquer Depression

Naturally occurring chemicals released by the brain, endorphins are responsible for relieving pain and enhancing our overall mood. The increase of endorphin production while floating often leads to feelings of euphoria, hopefulness, and joy.

Spirit

Everything you experience during floatation therapy comes from within yourself. With the pressure off your physical body, you’re enabled to freely explore your mind and your inner world. It starts with Theta brainwaves, the ones that happen as you drift towards sleep, floating between states. Marked by a flash of insight that is quickly forgotten, Theta waves are a realm of the subconscious. With no distractions of the outside world, you are in a place of vivid mental images, visionary inspiration, and insightful creativity. It’s the perfect time to reflect on your life, resolve existential dilemmas and examine personal insights. Floatation therapy can also be thought of as training wheels for meditation. Floatation therapy has been shown to help even novice participants experience extended periods of Theta state activity, normally available only to advanced students of meditation. The benefits of floatation on the spirit include:

Increase Creativity

Your body is floating in a zero gravity environment and your brain is no longer busy trying to process multiple sensations at once. The mind is left to explore. Free to explore your inner self and the boundaries of your imagination.

Deep Meditation

Floating allows you to enter a deep state of mental processing with feelings of a deeper connection, contentment, and understanding of life.

Acute Sense of Bliss

While floating, most participants reach a state of perfect happiness and are oblivious to all the complications and troubles of everyday life.

Experience Transcendence

Some floaters report having out-of-body experiences with profound revelations exceeding time and space. Find New MeaningFloating typically results in the brain being more connected, enabling you to make new connections and experience epiphanies about yourself, your relationships, society, the world, and the universe. This empowers you to replace negative beliefs with uplifting thoughts and gain a new perspective on reality.

Self-Analysis

Floating helps you get in touch with your inner strengths, personal goals and potential, feel more spiritually connected, and understand and love unique traits about yourself.

Balance Energy

Spiritual energy is the manifestation of divine, pure love and, depending on your beliefs, may come from a deity, deities or an energy that defies description and explanation. It’s considered the life force that binds the soul to the body. Floating provides a tranquil state that allows you to balance and reconnect this energy with the divine source or oneness with all.

Magnify Your Purpose

Through deep relaxation and restricting external stimulus, floating induces deep cognitive focus which stimulates creativity, desire, focus, and motivation, encouraging you to seize initiative.

Harmony

Floating creates a harmony in the brain on all levels: primal, visceral, and neocortex. This balancing between the brain layers creates an exhilarating experience for the body, including vitality and a feeling of “oneness” with the universe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone float?

Floatation therapy can be done by nearly anyone from stressed-out managers, overworked moms, athletes, pregnant women, artists, those suffering from chronic pain, and those individuals just wanting to escape from everyday life and experience a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.

We do need permission waivers signed for anyone under 18 years of age, and a parent must be present for those under 16. People with kidney problems are unable to float due to magnesium. Pregnant women in their first trimester should consult their physician. Finally, we recommend that if you suffer from any medical conditions (clinically-diagnosed depression, etc.) that you consult with your primary care physician prior to floating. Those with contact lenses will need to bring something to store them in while floating.

No one under the influence of any illegal substance is allowed to float and anyone suspected of being so will be asked to leave and may risk being asked not to return.

What happens if I get salt water in my eyes?

It is going to sting. But we have a bottle at the side of the pools that contains a solution to rinse your eyes with quickly.

Can two people float in one tank?

Our Floataround luxury pools, are large enough for couples to float together. We often have a parent and child floating together or an adult with an aged parent.

Will I get hot or cold in the water?

No, you will not feel either hot or cold. The thermostat in the floatation therapy pool regulates the temperature of the water to 93.5º F, which is the temperature of the surface of the skin, creating the feeling of truly floating in space.

What if I am claustrophobic?

It’s not as bad as it looks. The space inside our luxury, round pools is 8 feet in diameter. And, one of our three round pools is completely open. No matter which float pool you float in, you are always in complete control and can open the door and go in and out as you’d like. Since there is an absence of space, time and sensation, it is difficult to feel claustrophobic within the pools.

How often should I practice floatation therapy?

While you can float every day without harm, we find that the relaxing effects of a 60-minute floatation therapy session typically last beyond that day. For best results, we recommend regular sessions, and many clients find that floating once or twice a week provides the most benefits, depending on any conditions for which you are floating.

How long is a floatation therapy session?

Our sessions are based on 60-minute increments. That is usually perfect for beginner floaters. As you become more experienced and aware of the effects of floatation therapy, you may find doubling sessions to be even more effective. Others may want to float for three or more hours. We offer additional hours for a reduced rate.

What will it be like for me?

We don’t know what it will be like for you since it is such an individual experience. Nearly every customer reports having profound peace and relaxation, as well as deep concentration and creativity. We like to avoid saying too much before your floatation therapy session, so they aren’t influenced by someone else’s experience. Not only will it be different for you than it is for anyone else, it will be different each time.

Do I need to prepare in any way?

No. There are only a couple of things worth mentioning. We advise that you avoid shaving on the day of your floatation therapy session. The high salt content can irritate freshly shaved skin. We also provide Vaseline for any small cuts or scratches. We also recommend being well hydrated and not eating a heavy meal before your floatation therapy session.

Will I be able to resume my daily activities when I get out?

Yes, and it may be good to arrange your time so you don’t have to rush. Many people enjoy savoring the peace and quiet before jumping into something hectic. We have a relaxation room to help you keep that “post-float” glow and integrate your session before going back out into the world. Feel free to relax and stay as long as you like. If you need a blow-dry or blow-out, our next door neighbor SuperCuts offers them to our float clients (day of) for only $10.50.

Is there a cumulative effect of using floatation therapy on a regular basis?

Yes. There seems to be a cumulative effect with consistent floatation therapy. Each floater finds slightly different results based on their needs and state of their health. Relaxation is also a learned art that needs practice.

What do I need to bring?

Since you float in the nude, there’s no need for a swimsuit. We provide earplugs, towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner as well as a hair dryer. If you wear contacts, bring your case. If you have longer hair, you might want to bring a brush or comb and a hair tie to tie your hair up during your floatation therapy session (long hair can sometimes be a distraction as it touches the skin).

Do you wear anything during a floatation therapy session?

Since it is a private experience, most people don’t wear any clothing. Anything you wear will press against your body, becoming a distraction. Additionally, there are laundry soaps and dyes in the swimsuit that can be transferred into our pools. In this regard imagine it as similar to getting into your bathtub. You have an inside lock on your float room door for complete privacy. If you are floating with someone else and uncomfortable being without clothes, a swimsuit will be fine. Please make sure it is clean and rinsed before entering the pool.

What can I do to enhance my floatation therapy experience?

Most importantly…relax. The tank will help but if you arrive relaxed, the experience will be more beneficial for you. To help that, we suggest taking an oxygen therapy session for 15-30 minutes before your session in our tea house or Conscious Lounge and/or a CBD add-on (call for prices). To do either, please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before your session begins.

Are there a few additional things to consider?

Try not to shave right before arriving. It isn’t the end of the world if you do…but salt water on freshly shaven legs isn’t the most pleasant thing on Earth.

Remove your contacts prior to your floatation therapy session (bring a container to store them in).

If you have caffeine before your floatation therapy session, it may interfere with your ability to relax.

If you consume beverages of any kind, having to get up and go to the bathroom will also interfere with your ability to relax.

What if I fall asleep or cannot swim?

The water is only about 11″ deep and has a very high density of salt. This water is buoyant and will support you regardless of your size or weight. You will float like a cork atop the water. If you were to turn over the salt in the water would sting your eyes and wake you. Since you are floating you do not need to know how to swim. In addition, it’s not dangerous to fall asleep in the floatation tank. We actually encourage it! You’ll wake up very refreshed and rebooted.

What is Epsom Salt?

Similar to the Dead Sea, Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate) is a mineral which has been shown to help detoxify the body, strengthen the immune system, trigger the release of endorphins, and provide relief for physical, mental and emotional stress, pain and fatigue. Epsom salt is actually quite nourishing for the skin, which may feel silky smooth after your floatation therapy session. More information about the wonderful benefits of Epsom Salt can be found here: epsomsaltcouncil.org

Will I have Epsom Salt stuck in my ears?

No. Earplugs are provided to enhance your floatation therapy experience. However, not everyone chooses to wear them. We recommended rinsing your ears out with water after each floatation therapy session.

What will a floatation therapy session do to treated hair?

The salt solution should be just fine for colored/treated hair. In fact, it may make it feel smoother. However, we suggest that you wait a minimum of one week after you dye your hair with browns (It may be longer for bright colors and if your hair color is still “running”. Please do a towel test at home by toweling your hair after you wash; if color comes off on your towel, you cannot float in our pools) before you use a floatation therapy pool. Our waiver states that if we need to replace our water due to contamination, which includes dyes, you will be charged $1,500. So, thank you for waiting to float. Blondes seem to be fine after a wash or two. People who have had some forms of hair-straightening treatment (ex. with keratin) and extensions should not float because the salt may disrupt the treatment. If you have dreadlocks, you won’t be able to float if they are waxed or treated.

Will my skin get wrinkly?

No. The high Epsom salt content of the water means that the water will not draw the salt from your skin and cause wrinkles like a long bath does. Epsom salt has been used for centuries as a medicinal treatment for various skin conditions. It is non-toxic and is not harmful if swallowed (although it does not taste good!). Epsom salt is actually quite nourishing for the skin, which may feel silky smooth after your floatation therapy session.

Are there situations in which I will not be permitted to use the floatation pool?

We will not allow you to float if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Infectious skin or respiratory disorders.
  • Open wounds.
  • Incontinence.
  • Epilepsy or serious mental conditions.
  • A high-risk pregnancy.
  • Have colored or permed your hair within 7 days (the solution in the tank could potentially fade/discolor your hair). If you have a bright color (such as red), you will have to wait until no color bleeds when washing.
  • Under the influence of any drug or alcohol.
  • Under 18 without parental presence.

We expect you to inform us of any conditions for your own safety and the safety of other floaters! We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time.

How are the floatation pools kept clean and disinfected?

There are 1,323 pounds of medical grade Epsom salt dissolved in each of our luxury pools. The high salinity of Epsom salt kills 99.9% of bacteria in the water, and no living microorganisms can survive in there. Even so, we continuously monitor the water and add the specific amount of salt to maintain a constant water hygiene. After each session, the entire volume of the solution is pumped out and filtered through a 50-micron filtration and sterilization system utilizing Ultra Violet (UV) light and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2). UV is the safest most effective system available. It maintains the water’s soft, clean and crystal clear appearance. In addition, all clients are required to shower prior to entering the floatation pools and afterwards. The water in our floatation pools is hundreds of times more sanitary than the normal swimming pool or hot tub.

I’m pregnant. Is floatation therapy safe?

Absolutely! In fact, pregnant women probably get more relief from floatation therapy than anyone else. Just lying on a bed can be extremely uncomfortable for a woman in the later stages of pregnancy due to the massive gravitational strain placed on the body. Floatation therapy is a wonderful haven for pregnant women. There is often comment about the ‘mirror effect’ of the baby floating in the womb of the mother, and the mother floating in the womb of the tank and the spiritual/communal pleasure for the mother. Therefore, deepening her connection with her baby. However, we do recommend that pregnant women avoid floatation therapy during the first trimester. If you have any concerns about the effects of floatation therapy on your pregnancy, consult with and get permission from your physician before you try floatation therapy.

Can I float if I’m menstruating?

Of course, just follow the same protocol you would for a swimming pool.

Should I eat before a floatation therapy session?

A heavy meal before floatation therapy is not suggested. However, you also don’t want to hear your stomach growling.

I made an online appointment. When will my credit/debit card be charged?

Yes, if you book online, your card will be charged at the time you book. If there is a no-show or cancellation less than 24 hours, your float or massage session will be charged. If you’d like to pay with cash or another way, just give us a call to book your session over the phone or in person. We are happy to take your reservation over the phone and will require a credit card to reserve your room. In this instance, your card will not be charged until after your session or in the case of a no-show or cancellation within 24 hours of your appointment.

Should I arrive early for my floatation therapy session?

Your floatation therapy session is 1-hour long. However, you should aim to arrive around 10-15 minutes beforehand to park, check in and shower before your floatation therapy session begins. If you’d like to take advantage of oxygen aromatherapy or have a CBD add-on prior to your float or massage, please arrive 30 minutes early.

What effects does floatation therapy have on the mind?

The deep mental relaxation initiated by floatation therapy allows the brain to produce a greater amount of theta waves. This increases mental clarity, creativity, imagery, and memory. In addition to a reduction of cortisol, the release of endorphins induces the feeling of elevated mood states. Therefore, this is effective in helping alleviate anxiety, depression, and negative mental habits. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, is also decreased.

I suffer from high levels of stress and pain. Will floatation therapy help?

ABSOLUTELY! We see people find relief from pain and stress every day. There are volumes of research supporting floatation therapy as an effective treatment for ailments like: chronic stress, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, MS, anxiety, severe back pain, PTSD, insomnia and much more.

Can my minor child under the age of 18 float?

Yes! Children need to relax and reboot, too! Most children have never experienced a life without technology and nonstop stimulus. Floating can also benefit children who play sports, have anxiety or are under stress and more. We do allow minors 16-17 to float when their parent and them fill out the first-time waiver together! For those under 16, we take it on a case-by-case basis. We recommend floating “double” in one of our 8-foot round pools for very young children or for a young teen’s first float. For those 12-15 who do well with their parent in a double float, we do allow floating while the parent is in our Center! Please call us to make arrangements.

I experienced vaginal stinging with my float. Is that normal?

For some reason, some women (mostly girls in puberty and women going through menopause) experience vaginal stinging. While we aren’t 100% sure why this happens, it has been proposed that it can be hormonal and can fluctuate. If you request extra packets of our A&D ointment and apply generously in the private region before entering, you can experience a sting-free float. If you get in the pool and experience stinging, we recommend you immediately shower the salt off and apply generous amounts of A&D (you can call us via Pool buzzer to bring more if needed) and try again. For young women floating (under 16), we recommend moms having this discussion prior to coming to float for the first time to ensure a good experience.

Verified by MonsterInsights