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WHAT IS FLOATING? Floatation therapy is a preventative and therapeutic health care practice that consists of floating on your back in a highly concentrated magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) solution.
During the session, which lasts about an hour, incoming stimuli including light, sound, and the sensation of gravity are reduced.
Because of the high specific gravity of the Epsom salt solution, when you lie back you float effortlessly. Your eyes, mouth, and nose always remain above the surface of the water even if you happen to fall deeply asleep.
While floating has been around for decades, it is experiencing a resurgence. This is due in part to a growing interest in preventative health practices, especially those that help manage and reduce stress, and also due to changes in the design and technology of float environments (i.e., float rooms, float tanks, float pods).
Our float environments are spacious, have integrated lighting and audio systems, and large lids that can be left open during the float if that best suits your needs. They also contain advanced water filtration and disinfection systems that ensure pristine water quality for each and every float.
THE BENEFITS
WHY SHOULD I FLOAT?
The unique conditions of the floatation therapy environment, which includes reduced external stimuli and reduced pressure on the musculoskeletal system, have been shown to bring about positive physiological, psychological, behavioral, and neurocognitive changes.
These include reduced stress, reduced muscle and joint pain, improved mood, improved sleep, and improved athletic and cognitive performance.
This occurs, in part, because floatation therapy reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the rest-and-recover response). Chronic and acute stress not only increases the risk of many health conditions including heart disease, obesity, insomnia, and gastrointestinal problems; it can trigger long-term changes in brain structure and function, negatively impacting learning, memory, and mood.
Floatation therapy counteracts these negative effects by providing an ideal environment for your body's own immune and repair systems to function optimally.
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What should I wear?xyz
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What should I wear?xyz
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How old do I have to be?We require that you are at least 16 years of age.
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What should I expect?When you arrive for your float, you will be taken to your own private prep room. Here you change out of your clothes and put in your silicone moldable earplugs, which are provided for you. If you wear contact lenses, you will remove them here. Your prep room is connected to your private float room. When you are ready for your float, you enter into your private float room. Before entering the float tank, you will take a quick pre-float shower to remove oils and products from your skin and hair (body wash and shampoo are provided). The pre-float shower shouldn’t be too hot--the temperature of the Epsom salt water is approximately 94 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for deep relaxation. If your pre-float shower is too hot, the Epsom salt water will feel a bit cool. After your pre-float shower, you enter into the float environment. Our float environments are spacious, with an interior dimension of 7 feet long by 5 feet wide. They contain 1,000 pounds of pure Epsom salt that has been dissolved in 10 inches of water. This solution is so dense that when you lie back you float effortlessly. Our float environments have interior lighting that is controlled by you, and integrated audio systems. You can choose to click the lights off, leave them on, dim them down, or brighten them. You can choose to listen to relaxing ambient music while you float, a short guided relaxation exercise or mindfulness meditation, or you can float in silence. Once you step into the float environment you will lie back with your head at the back of the float tank. You can float with your arms at your side (palm ups or palms down), with your arms folded across your chest or belly, with your hands behind your head, or with your arms up in what we call “goal post position.” There is also a pillow designed specifically for the float environment that you can use if you need a little extra support behind your head. After an hour, the end of your float session will be indicated by chimes and a progressive brightening of the lights. You then carefully exit the float environment and take a post-float shower. This shower can be as hot as you like! You then return to you private prep room and lock the door to the float room behind you. This will signal that the filtration and cleaning cycle can begin. Floating activates the parasympathetic nervous system (also known as the rest-and-recover or rest-and-digest response), and it's beneficial to hydrate after a float. We provide you with post-float alkaline water to help remind you to do so.
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What are some tips for having a great float?Put your ear plugs in before you shower. Take a lukewarm pre-float shower so that the Epsom salt solution doesn’t feel cool in comparison. Dry off your face and hairline before entering the float tank so that you are not tempted to rub your face and risk getting salt water in your eyes. If you feel any neck tension, try floating with your arms in goal post position. If this doesn’t alleviate the tension, try using the float pillow. After you find a comfortable position, try to remain still. This will keep you from bumping into the sides of the tank and it will also help regulate the temperature between your skin, the water and the air. Many people report a blurring of the boundary between the skin and the water and air. However, each time you move, the Epsom salt solution might feel a little warm or a little cool in comparison. Once you remain still again, the temperature will re-regulate. Relax and let go of expectations. Floating is a highly personal experience. Some people fall asleep, others enter into a deep meditative state, some notice areas of tension and practice letting that tension go, others let their minds wander and daydream, others simply enjoy the unique sensation of feeling weightless. Just remember that there is no wrong way to float, and that, over time, your floating practice will grow and evolve. At the end of your float, sit up slowly and push the Epsom salt water away from your face.
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Do I need to close the lid?You do not need to close the lid. Having said that, most guests who are at first hesitant about closing the lid usually end up choosing to do so, even those who report having claustrophobia. This is because the environment feels very spacious once you are inside (almost infinite!), and because you quickly realize that you are in complete control of the environment. The lid is completely manual, and you can open and close it and exit the float tank at any time. If you have any concerns, feel free to schedule a time to drop in for a tour. Most everyone who sees our float environments remark on how spacious they are.
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What do I listen to during the float?You can choose to listen to relaxing ambient music while you float, a short guided meditation, or you can float in silence. You can preview a few of our custom ambient music tracks HERE.
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How long is the float session?Floats are 60 minutes (although you can get out earlier if you prefer) but with shower and dressing time plan to be here for 75 minutes. Float sessions begin promptly at your scheduled time, so please arrive on-time.
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How will I know when the float is over?After an hour, the end of your float session will be indicated by chimes and a progressive brightening of the lights.
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What should I bring?If you wear contact lenses, please bring a contact case and solution as we recommend removing contacts prior to floating. Also, please bring a hair brush if you will be needing one post-float. We provide everything else you will need for your experience, including: towels, robes, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and moldable earplugs. There is no need to bring a swimsuit as floating is done in complete privacy. You may wear one if you would like, but most find the material against their skin distracting.
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Is there anything I should do to prepare for my float?Avoid stimulants like caffeine for AT LEAST THREE HOURS prior to your float Eat a light meal about an hour before your float Don't shave/wax the day of your float Remove contact lenses prior to floating
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How do you maintain the float tanks?Between each and every float session, the entire volume of Epsom salt solution is filtered and disinfected using an advanced oxidation process (UV light + hydrogen peroxide + ozone). This system is similar to what is used in water treatment facilities to prepare tap water for drinking. The benefits of this type of disinfection system is that it leaves behind no harsh chemicals such as chlorine or bromine. You can read more about the steps we take to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness HERE.
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Is there any reason why I shouldn't float?You should NOT float if you: meet the CDC criteria for self-quarantine/isolation due to possible covid-19 exposure and/or symptoms have any of the following symptoms: Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, New loss of taste or smell, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose have uncontrolled epilepsy or seizures have an allergy to Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) have severe eczema or psoriasis are currently undergoing chemotherapy/radiation have an open wound have recently dyed your hair (highlights are fine) and the color transfers to a white towel have recently gotten a spray tan and the color transfers to a white towel recently undergone a procedure that would make your skin especially sensitive to Epsom salt water (e.g., chemical peel, wax, tattoo) You should consult your health care provider PRIOR to your first float if you: are pregnant have a serious medical condition including but not limited to: History of fainting, Vertigo, Coronary disease, Kidney disease, Insulin dependent diabetes. For individuals with limited mobility: Please note that in order to enter into the float pod, you will need to step up and over a 24 inch "lip." Then you will be sitting down and laying back. After the float, you will be reversing this (sitting up, standing up, and stepping up and out of the float pod). If you do not feel comfortable performing these movements on your own, we encourage you to bring someone who can assist you.
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Can I float if I'm pregnant?If you are pregnant, we strongly encourage you to check with your health care provider before engaging in any new activity, including floating. Having said that, many women report tremendous benefits from floating while pregnant. Not only does floating relieve pressure on joints and muscles, the reduction of external stimuli creates a unique environment to experience an enhanced connection to one's baby. We do ask that you refrain from floating during your first trimester.
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Can I float while on my period?Yes. Just follow the same protocol you would for a swimming pool. Note that due to hormonal fluctuations, some women may experience increased sensitivity to the Epsom salt solution at certain points in their cycle. Most of the time, if stinging does occur, it goes away a few minutes into the float. We do always have individual packets of petroleum jelly available that can be used to create a protective barrier on areas of sensitive skin.
FLOAT FAQS
PRESS
Floating has been profiled in Harper’s Bazaar, Men’s Journal, TIME magazine, Oprah Magazine, Glamour, and on ESPN. Click on pics below to read more about why floating is being used by so many as a way to reduce stress and improve health.
“Master your thoughts. Calm your body. Truly be still.” - Steph Curry
Watch why basketball great Stephen Curry floats.
FLOAT ORIENTATION
When you arrive for your float, you will be taken to your private prep room. Here you change out of your clothes and put in your silicone moldable earplugs, which are provided for you (you want your earplugs in BEFORE you take your pre-float shower). If you wear contact lenses, you will remove them here.
Your prep room is connected to your private float room. After securing your earplugs, taking off your clothes, and silencing your phone, head into your float room. Close the door behind you. The float room is on it's own heating and ventilation system, so we want to keep the door to the float room closed as much as possible.
Before entering the float pod, take a quick pre-float shower to remove oils and products from your skin and hair (body wash and shampoo are provided). The pre-float shower shouldn’t be too hot--the temperature of the Epsom salt water is approximately 94 degrees Fahrenheit, which is ideal for deep relaxation. If your pre-float shower is too hot, the Epsom salt water will feel a bit cool.
After your pre-float shower, DRY OFF YOUR FACE using the rolled hand towel that is provided for you. You do not want to touch your face with salty hands during your float and going into your float with a dry face helps with this.
Step into the float pod carefully while holding onto the rim of the float pod with both hands. The Epsom salt water is a little slippery, so just move slowly and carefully. After stepping in, sit down while closing the lid (if you choose to close the lid) and then lie back. Once you lie back, you float! No effort is needed to stay afloat in this salty environment.
The float pod has interior lighting that is controlled by you using a remote that is in a water-proof pouch. You can choose to click the lights off, leave them on, dim them down, or brighten them. The float pod also has an integrated audio system. You can choose to listen to relaxing ambient music while you float, a short guided meditation, or you can float in silence. The audio track will start automatically once you get into the float pod.
Begin your float by finding a comfortable position. This might be with your arms at your side (palm ups or palms down), with your arms folded across your chest or belly, with your hands behind your head, or with your arms up in what we call “goal post position.” There is a pillow designed specifically for the float environment that you can use if you need a little extra support behind your head. Your don't need to use this pillow, but some prefer to do so.
After you find a comfortable position, try to remain still. This will keep you from bumping into the sides of the tank (it still might happen and that is fine--it's part of the experience). Being still also helps to regulate the temperature between your skin, the water, and the air. Many people report a blurring of the boundary between the skin and the water and air. However, each time you move, the Epsom salt solution might feel a little warm or a little cool in comparison. Once you remain still again, the temperature will re-regulate.
Try to relax and let go of expectations. Floating is a highly personal experience. Some people fall asleep, others enter into a deep meditative state, some notice areas of tension and practice letting that tension go, others let their minds wander and daydream, others simply enjoy the unique sensation of feeling weightless. Just remember that there is no wrong way to float, and that, over time, your floating practice will grow and evolve.
At the end of your float session, your will hear a Tibetan singing bowl and the room lights will begin to brighten to indicate that your float has come to an end. Sit up slowly being careful to not let the salt water drip into your eyes. Open the lid and then stand up carefully while holding onto the lip of the float pod with both hands. Be careful not to bump your head on the lid as you stand up.
Step out of the float pod and onto the bath mats and then make your way to the shower.
Please note that once you get into the float pod please do not re-enter your prep room until you have showered. This helps prevent the tracking of salt throughout the space.
After your shower, return to you private prep room and close and lock the door to the float room behind you. This will signal that the filtration and cleaning cycle can begin.
Make sure to drink lots of water post-float and to try to take it easy for the rest of the day if you can so that your mind and body can integrate the deep relaxation you experienced while floating. We provide a bottle of water for you.
READ BEFORE YOU BOOK
WE REQUIRE THAT YOU ARE AT LEAST 16 YEARS OF AGE TO FLOAT
YOU SHOULD NOT FLOAT IF YOU:
-have ANY symptoms of illness
-have uncontrolled epilepsy or seizures
-have severe motion sickness
-have an allergy to Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
-have severe eczema or psoriasis
-are currently undergoing chemotherapy/radiation
-have an open wound
-have recently dyed your hair and the color is transferring to a white towel (highlights are fine)
-have recently gotten a spray tan and the color is transferring to a white towel
-recently undergone a procedure that would make your skin especially sensitive to Epsom salt water (e.g., chemical peel, wax, tattoo)
YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER PRIOR TO YOUR FLOAT IF YOU:
-are pregnant
-have a serious medical condition including but not limited to: history of fainting, vertigo, coronary disease, kidney disease, insulin dependent diabetes
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY:
Please note that in order to enter into the float pod, you will need to step up and over a 24 inch "lip." Then you will be sitting down and laying back. After the float, you will be reversing this (sitting up, standing up, and stepping up and out of the float pod). If you do not feel comfortable performing these movements on your own and in slightly slippery Epsom salt water, we encourage you to bring someone who can assist you. Unfortunately, there are no grab bars so please make sure you are comfortable performing these movements before booking.
CANCELATION POLICY
We have a 24 HOUR CANCELLATION POLICY. Appointments missed or cancelled/rescheduled with less than 24 hours' notice will incur a fee: $50 if appointment is rescheduled and completed within 2 weeks, full price ($99 or float credit in your account) if not. Fee will be automatically charged to your CC on file.