FLOATING
By Toni Krasicki
TO WELLNESS
E
arlier this year I was
asked to check out
the latest floating
therapy space to open it’s
doors in Sydney. The first
thing I realise is that float
tanks, without me noticing,
are having a resurgence
in the health sphere. I’m a
floater from way back, first
floating in the 1980s, then
again in Byron Bay about 14
years ago!
I meet Austin Coons, the co-owner of
Forever Floating in Paddington (Sydney),
along with his wife, fitness model and
personal trainer Ana Coppola Coons.
Austin explains the value for those who
need time-out from all the busyness
of modern life, and the benefits that
come from spending time in this sensoryreduced environment.
So what is a float tank?
Historically, float tanks have been used
for meditation and relaxation and in
some instances, even as an alternative
style of medicine.
The float tank itself looks like a space
pod. It’s filled with around 30cm of
Epsom salt fuelled water that’s kept at
about 34.5°C. Once inside, the pod’s lid
slides closed and there’s a light on the
inside that can be switched on or off at
anytime.
10
The health premise behind this weightfree environment is that joints and the
nervous system receive some much
needed relief from the pressure of
gravity, which enables the body to then
channel the extra energy into recovery.
pop a blow up pillow behind your head
(optional), then lie back and enjoy! The
music will stop after about 10 minutes,
leaving you with your thoughts and/or
dreams, and it recommences again 10
minutes before the end of the session, to
alert you that your blissful state is coming
to a close! When you get out, you shower
again to remove the salt, and then
slowly re-enter the world. At Forever
Floating you can hang around, enjoy
the beanbags and sip water until you’re
ready to deal with reality!
Being a sensory-reduced environment
means the float tank is also an ideal
space to relax and rejuvenate, which
for many can act like an alternative to
having a massage or taking a mind/
body class.
Forever Floating currently offers two float
tanks, but Austin says they are hoping to
eventually expand, given they have the
space available for an additional four
tanks.
What do you need?
If you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit
the Dead Sea, this is pretty much how
it works – you just float and allow the
magnesium-rich water to suspend you.
There’s no chance of sinking, so if you fall
asleep – even better!
If you have hygiene concerns, there’s no
need! Due to the tank water consisting
of 40 per cent Epsom salt, the water is
deemed sterile, as no nasty organisms
can survive in salt concentrations above
10 per cent. The water is also filtered
through a one-micron-sized filter, and
the water’s purity, alkalinity, pH and
temperature are constantly monitored to
ensure that it is of exceptional quality for
every subsequent float.
What do you do?
When you arrive, you are shown to your
private room, which includes the floating
pod and a shower, and you’re provided
with instructions to take a shower, pop in
the earplugs provided, step into the pod,
Essentially, you only need your birthday
suit, but if you’re worried about modesty
in your own private pod, a swimsuit can
be worn. There are towels, organic
shampoo, conditioner, body wash and
lotion to use, so anything else you think
you’d use in the shower, you’ll need to
bring.
Austin recommends you avoid drinking
coffee before your float, which is
probably related to the caffeine
interfering with your ability to chillout.
He also suggests you are adequately
fuelled, so that you don’t go in hungry
(there’s nothing worse than relaxation
being interrupted by a rumbling
stomach!). Also hold off on the spray tan
and a hair colouring, and save the shave
or wax for another day because there’s
a lot of salt in there!
Forever Floating offers 75 minute floats
for $49, with special packages and
memberships also available. If you
drive there, be sure to ask about the
free parking in advance. For more
information visit
www.foreverfloating.com
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