takes place – emotional and psychological healing certainly. But
evidence is increasingly showing that by regularly entering a state
FAQ's
of quiet mindfulness we can heal chronic pain, bring down blood
pressure and cholesterol, and generally improve our physical wellbeing. OK, it’s not been properly researched with double-blind
clinical tests and things, but the anecdotal evidence is strong, so it
seemed like a good idea to give it a try.
How it all works
A flotation tank is, basically, a giant bathtub with a lightproof
Is it hygienic?
roof. It’s ventilated so it’s not stuffy and, of course, it’s filled with
This is the question most often asked. All guests shower,
a warm, viscous liquid that, as far as we can imagine (because
wash their hair and rinse carefully before entering the tank.
most of us can’t remember), accurately mimics the sense of pre-birth
The tank is sterilised with ozone at regular intervals and also
immersion in amniotic fluid. It’s really just water with a lot of Epsom
between clients.
salts dissolved in it to increase the density.
Doesn’t the salt sting, or itch?
use ear plugs, and then climb into the tank. It takes a while to
The Epsom salts is actually quite soothing, but can be irritating
adjust, but soon you find you can’t quite feel where your body
to the delicate skin in the ears, so ear plugs serve two purposes
ends and the liquid, or even the air, begins. There is no pressure
– to help cut out sound and to protect your ears from the salts.
on you anywhere, no sound and no light. As you relax, it feels
If you have insect bites or small wounds, these might sting. As
like you’re sinking deeper and deeper, but you’re not going
for your eyes, you float so high that they are nowhere near the
anywhere. It’s just that, in the normal course of your day, there’s
water. There may be some mild itching at the beginning, but it
no moment when some part of your body isn’t supporting your
will go away as you settle. After the float, you will have a quick
weight – even when you’re asleep, your back or side and legs
shower to rinse off the salts.
and arms are supporting your body and there’s pressure from
the mattress. And when you lean your head into the pillow, the
pillow leans back into you.
Is there anything I should do before
I float?
It’s a good idea to have a small meal a few hours before
But in the float tank, you are free – free from gravity, free from the
floating so that your blood sugar is stable. Don’t shave or wax
need to hold yourself together. As you sink deeper and deeper into
prior to floating, as then the salt may sting
relaxation, your blood pressure drops, your breathing slows down,
and the tension in your shoulders and back is eased. It’s almost like
your body takes the opportunity to literally straighten out the kinks.
It sounds weird and it takes a while to get used to, but once you
And after the float?
You’re likely to be feeling very mellow, and you should make
a point of drinking plain water or herbal tea to prevent mild
learn to trust the process, it’s a powerful healing modality.
dehydration.
And, yes, your mind quietens. Some people enter a space
What if I hate it and panic?
that’s almost trance-like, others just relax totally. And a surprising
number find that, during or just after a float, the solution to an
apparently insurmountable problem, or the perfect phrase to end
that presentation, simply pops into their minds. It’s not just the body
that sorts out the kinks – it’s the mind, too.
A very few people find it difficult to relax, and can’t seem to
settle down. If this happens to you, it’s not a big deal. It’s not
like you’re locked in there – you have control over the door,
the lights, everything. This is not Fear Factor, so you can leave
whenever you want to. But it’s worth persevering.
5
RELAX @
The process is simple. You arrive, shower, pop in some single-