Floating

According to Wikipedia – An isolation tank, sensory deprivation tank, float tank, float pod, float cabin, flotation tank, or sensory attenuation tank is a water-filled, pitch-black, light-proof, soundproof environment heated to the same temperature as the skin, developed in 1954 by John C. Lilly.

BEFORE

I’ve been fascinated with this idea – of floating in such a tank – for a very long time.  ‘Why?’ you may ask, as does everyone.  Honestly, I’m not really sure.  It’s been a topic in sci-fi movies (Altered States) and fictional books I’ve read (The Door to December by Dean Koontz), but certainly not in a way that would make most people think, ‘hey, I want to try that.’  

Years ago, I had a memorable experience, floating in a hotel hot tub.  It was late in the evening and the lights had been turned down low. Through the glass canopy above I could see the stars.  The rest of my family were in the swimming pool, but I floated, solitary and relaxed, staring into the night sky and contemplating the universe.

In any case, I’ve been thinking about floating, and I put it on my list of 22 things to do in 2022.  As it turns out, there has been a recent increase in the popularity of floating and there is a float spa in Ann Arbor, not far from where I work. I made an appointment.

Here’s what I know about it going into the experience.

• Advertised materials claim there are health benefits.
• John Lennon reportedly treated his heroin addiction in 1979 with the help of 90-minute floats in a cedar wood box.
• Floating has been known to cause hallucinations (this has me a mite anxious).
• I had to sign a waiver page – initialing each one of about 20 statements.
• I might have set my expectation too high. Even though I’m nervous about it, I’m super excited and I’m a little afraid it’s going to end up being a 2022 letdown.

MY SESSION

I arrived for my appointment at NeuroFitness in Ann Arbor. They offer a number of wellness services (think spa) and you can check them out here NeuroFitness Wellness Center.

I was led down a dimly lit hallway and we stopped at a door marked Float Room 3.  Inside there was a small dressing area and a shower.  Stepping into the tiled shower area with the manager, she showed me a glass door that opened into the float area.  I was relieved to see that I would be in control of both light and relaxing music from inside of the tub.

The tub was larger than I expected and there was no feeling of being enclosed or trapped.  I know that there are also float tanks that have lids, but that was not my experience.  The glass door had a seal around it (I’m guessing to help regulate the room/water temperature) but there was no feeling of claustrophobia at all.  In fact, a couple times I reached my hands above my head and pointed my toes, stretching out and reaching as far as I could.  I did not touch either end of the tub.  However, I couldn’t do the same side to side.  I was able to touch both sides without fully extending my arms, but it was not confining in any way.

I started my session with both the glowing light and the relaxing music on, but within five minutes, I had turned the music to the very lowest setting and turned out the light.  It wasn’t long before I turned off the music as well.  As promised, it was peaceful, calming, and relaxing.

I typically don’t use earplugs when I sleep or when I submerge my head in water, but they were supplied, so I used them. I could hear my breaths reverberating in the water. I was not consciously slowing my breathing or taking deep breaths, it just happened. My breaths reverberated in the water sounding like waves crashing on the sand. I heard this part of the time, not all of the time, which was kind of weird. For a while I could hear my heartbeat, but not the whole time.

As I lay in the water floating, I was reminded of being a kid and how much I enjoyed floating in the bathtub, something I hadn’t thought about in years.  I remember being disappointed when I grew too tall to lay flat out.  This probably explains why I enjoyed my experience in the hotel hot tub so much and why this idea of the float tank appealed to me.  But this experience was turning out to be so much more.

If you’ve ever enjoyed the feeling of floating in the water (or especially if you are somebody that struggles to float) that is the beauty of this experience. Due to the extremely high level of Epsom salt in the tub, there is no effort required on the part of the floater. In fact, an effort is required if you DON’T want to float. When I wanted to touch the tub floor with my hand, I was literally pushing against the water, almost like a current. And as soon as I relaxed my muscles again, my limbs bobbed back up to the surface. It is a weightless feeling, as you might imagine floating in space. And although the dark was nice, I would think that some stars above would enhance the experience.

At times as I floated, it felt as if I were drifting – moving much further than the tank would allow, but when I reached out to touch the side, I would find I hadn’t moved.

The memory of floating when I was a kid was a happy one and I felt very carefree in my relaxed state.  Several times I realized I was smiling into the darkness.  When I was alittle and floated in the bathtub, I would swish my hair back and forth like the mermaids in one of my favorite fairy tales.  Not gonna lie.  While I was laying in the float tank, I swished my hair.

I signed up for the 60-minute float.  (They also have a 30-minute and a 90-minute.)  I had no idea how much time was passing – and I did wonder – but I didn’t wish for it to be over.  When the light came on, letting me know that my float was over, it startled me a bit.   As I sat up in the tub and reached to brush the excess water away from my face, my fingers touched a crystally ring of salt around my face, reminding me of a yummy margarita.

And that was my float!  I was told it would be relaxing, which it was, but I was amazed at how happy I felt afterward.  So, would I do it again?  Absolutely, and I made my next appointment before I left the building.

AFTER

I’ve had a lot of questions about my float session from friends and family.  Here’s what I know after completing the experience.

• I felt carefree.  I did not think about work, or home, or anything except how much I was enjoying the sensation.
• It was dark!  So dark I couldn’t see my fingers when I held my hands directly in front of my face and wiggled them. 
• Yes, I was naked.  (The staff recommends you do not wear a bathing suit which can be restrictive and detract from your experience.)
• My fingers didn’t prune.
• No, I did not hallucinate.
• It was not too hot; it was not too cool.  It was just right.
• It made me SO happy.

Will everyone have a similar experience to mine?  I imagine not, but if this sounds even a little bit intriguing, I recommend you give it a try.