^^Reference to the Little Big Town “Pontoon” lyrics! 🙂
Have you ever heard of flotation for wellness? We have a center here in Cville called Aquafloat that offers floating, massages, and an infrared sauna. I’ve been wanting to try floating out for a while, and Thomas got me a combo massage + float gift certificate for my birthday.
The float “pods” are filled with 12 inches of water heated to around 93.5 degrees – skin temperature. Dissolved into the water are 850 pounds of Epsom salts. Back in my public relations days, I used to work with the Epsom Salt Council, so I can tell you there are hundreds of benefits to soaking in Epsom salts! There are so many dissolved salts in this water that you are completely buoyant and float on top of the water. You can close the lid to the pod, turn off the light, and have a totally sensory-free experience that leads to complete relaxation. You don’t have to close the lid or turn out the light, but it’s recommended.
{The water is actually clear – the cleaning jets were on when I took this picture.}
Float sessions are 90 minutes long (but you can leave earlier if you want to.) I had a 45-minute massage first and then my float session after that. The float rooms are like an extra large bathroom with the pod on one side and a sink and rainshower on the other.
It was kind of weird taking off my robe and climbing in, but I was so curious about this experience!
The first thing I noticed was that the water was not that hot. I love being hot, and I might even say this water was not even warm. It was still 93.5 degrees, but it wasn’t like stepping into a hot bath. The water was also very slippery, kind of like a watery gel. I suppose it’s from all the salt! I put in the wax ear plugs that they provided and let my hair down. I wanted to be as submerged as possible.
The first 15 minutes were fun. I “swam” around and played with the water. It was really cool to float! I wasn’t really cold, but I wasn’t hot either. I am fairly claustrophobic and being in the pod didn’t feel so bad at all. My arms had full range of motion, so I could spread out like a snow angel, and I knew I could bust open the lid if needed. You can leave it all the way open or just cracked open if you are particularly claustrophobic, but I closed the lid to keep as warm as I could.
After playing for a while, I decided to turn off the light and try to take a nap. In the beginning I felt like 90 minutes was an eternity and knew if I didn’t nap it would go slowly! I would really recommend going in the late afternoon (when you are nap-ready) for this reason. When my ears were submerged, I could hear every creak and breath in my body. If my stomach gurgled, it was loud! My breaths in and out were loud too, and they were soothing. I could even hear my heart! I put my arms out like a football field goal and relaxed. The water temperature started to even out when I stopped moving and I was no longer a little bit chilly. I did some of those falling-asleep twitches a few times and “woke up”, and once I made a funny snoring sound!
After a period of time, which could have been 20 or 60 minutes, I “woke up.” I say this with quotes because I wasn’t entirely sure that I actually fell asleep. The man at the desk told me we often go into a steady state of brain waves that is neither awake nor asleep when sensory distractions are removed. But, when I “woke up” I was very alert. I had salt crusted all over the front of my body, which was pretty cool. It sort of felt like shards of glass, and I washed it off with more water. I was also ready to get out! At the 90-minute mark, gentle music starts to play to let you know the time is up, and I was getting a bit antsy to hear the music. I played around in the water a little, but most of all I had to go to the bathroom! I was literally reaching for the handle to get out when the music started. I really wanted to stay in for the full 90 minutes for the full experience, so I was very happy that I had done that!
Thinking back on it, if I explored and played around in the beginning for about 15 minutes and maybe another 10 after becoming alert again at the end, then I had to have slept for about an hour. That is crazy!
I took a nice hot shower and got dressed in one of the vanity rooms. They have everything you need to get ready – towels, shampoo, conditioner, soap, and hair dryers.
I would absolutely do this again, and it was totally relaxing. It would be perfect for people who have trouble shutting off their brains (like me), moms who are sleep deprived, pregnant woman (the buoyancy!), or athletes with sore muscles. I mean, really, everyone would benefit from this experience.
One thing I did learn was that you can have the water heated (or cooled) +/- a degree or two. They can’t heat it like a hot tub because you couldn’t stay in long enough, but a degree or two for sure. You just have to request that in advance. I will be doing that next time! The water temperature was my only complaint.
Thomas had one very similar to mine, and when we compared notes he was shaking his head “yes” to everything I reported. Have you ever heard of or tried flotation for wellness? I’d love to hear about your experiences!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
How interesting! I’ve been seeing more and more of this around and have always wondered about it. I still don’t think it’s the thing for me, though! Haha!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Tonya says
Yep! I did this out in Annapolis MD around mid September. It is trippy man. I totally get what you were talking about with the whole “am I awake- am I asleep” altered state of consciousness. The water perfectly matched my body temperature, so that plus the sensory deprivation (no light, no noise), and the floating really had me feeling like I was on the edge of nothingness. It was awesome. And that’s coming from someone who was terrified to get in the tank! The one I was in looked a lot different from the pods you typically see advertised. I asked a billion questions, and I just knew I would not last the whole time, but by the time that soft music played I was so disappointed to get out! I got out feeling like a jelly fish made out of noodles. LOL and my stress levels were waaaay down. I’m going in for another float in December because I’ve been involved in a physically demanding project for the past few months and I need that salt water float again for my muscles and aches.
KathEats says
Awesome! And lol at a jellyfish made out of noodles 🙂
Brigid says
I have never heard of this. Do you close the top of the pod and are completely enclosed? I think I’d be afraid of the water and the dark at the same time. I imagine they drain and clean the pod after each use? It’s interesting for sure!
KathEats says
Yes and yes. You can’t really drown because the water is super shallow and you’re floating on top. It was only a little scary for a second when I turned off the light.
Melanie says
Where did you get the purple and blue sweatshirt?
KathEats says
It’s from Title Nine! It’s actually a fairly thin shirt, but it’s very comfy.
Melanie says
Thanks!
Linda @ the Fitty says
I really want to try this out! And Kath, may I just say that you have wonderful vocabulary? I can definitely see you writing a novel. I love how descriptive this was, it was like reading an excerpt from story.
KathEats says
Haha thank you but I don’t think novels are in my future 🙂
Kori says
What a wild but fun concept! I have never heard of this and am unsure if it is offered in my area. I don’t know how much it would cost for a session, but it would definitely be worth experiencing one day! Thanks for sharing, Kath. 🙂
KathEats says
I think it’s $65 a session, and cheaper if you buy multiples at once.
Louise RD says
Thanks for sharing- I really want to try it, probably 60 mins to start. My SLT instructor recently described her float experience and I’ve been intrigued ever since. Love the thought of all that Epsom salt! (most I ever soak in is 2-3cups). The spa near us advertises that a float can take strokes off your golf game so I’m sold! Also claims that one float hour is equivalent to 4 hrs of restorative sleep—> bring it!:-)
KathEats says
Wow! Those are some strong claims. Thomas needs that golf bonus!
C in MD says
Am I the only Stranger Things fan who can only think of Eleven in that tank?!
KathEats says
I had forgotten about that!!
Natasha says
Sounds cool though I’d want the temp to be much warmer! Or be able to heat/steam the room? I used to soak in an Epsom Salt bath when I had growing pains.
Had to laugh at the last pic of the bath….looks like a giant toilet bowl!
KathEats says
Haha!
Pauline says
Yes, I did the Floating experience! I was too afraid to doze off though, and just like you I‘d had preferred the water to be a little warmer than it was. At first I had Music on but when I turned it off I really started to relax! Just like you, I have trouble shutting my brain off but In the dark and silent tub I felt weightless and so calm! I heard my bones in my neck crack a little but that felt great in a weird way :-)) I would like to do this once again!
Katie says
This is SO awesome!! I want to try! I’ll have to do some research if I can find something like this in my area!
Susan Forde says
I live in tropical Barbados and one of my favourite things to do is to go to the beach n just lay afloat in the water for minutes on end with the sun beaming down on me. It’s the ultimate relaxation. You just cannot hold on to stress when you are float.
KathEats says
Sounds amazing!
Nicole @ Bento Momentos says
I’ve seen these on groupon but didn’t think it was worth it. Thanks for your sharing your experience– I am now more convinced it helps!
Christy Cormons says
Love! I’ve done Aquafloat a few times and sadly the only times I enjoyed it were when I was pregnant. I wish I loved it not pregnant but I just didn’t get anything out of it (would prefer a massage). However pregnant – OMG! Especially 7-9 months. The pressure it took off my joints and was fantastic. It’s my #1 recommendation to all pregnant people who can’t get a “real” massage to ease the aches & pains.
KathEats says
That’s what the guy at the desk said! That pregnant women come in all the time : )
SarahMLSsbb says
There is one here in Southeastern Michigan and I’ve been tempted to try it. I might have to now!
Kamila says
I’ve been nervous to try this out. I just don’t think I can quiet my mind for 90 minutes. That seems like eternity to me. But I am pregnant with Baby #2… so maybe I should try this out as a way to relax before the newborn craziness hits my house again!
KathEats says
Just pick a day when you really need a nap!!
Elizabeth says
I just did a float last week and my experience was great. I was really antsy the first 20 or so minutes but then my brain and body calmed and I fell into a very deep relaxed state. I had pretty sore muscles from a recent hike and it felt like their soreness was magnified for a bit at first until my body let go of the pain. It was a great experience. I was super hungry afterward and also very tired. I went home and took a 2 hour nap. When I do it again, I will schedule it Saturday late afternoon and then plan to spend the evening in. It zapped all my energy on the day I did it and the next day I felt great. Just a few pro tips-wear the ear plugs they offer you, put vasoline or balm on your lips (for some reason my lips got super salty and dry), don’t shave the day before or the day of your float (the salt will find any little cut and make it sting) and do not wear a tampon.
Tonya says
I was super hungry afterwards, too! and had the best sleep ever went I went to bed.
Chloe says
Yes! I definitely had the same experience as you where I all of a sudden woke up but not sure if I slept! Was definitely an interesting experience that I think I will venture again. There are just so many benefits!
Poly M says
I haven’t tried flotation yet but I have been curious about it. One of the places in my area didn’t have too many details on how it was achieved on their website (I guess I was looking for a tub/room pic) but your post answered a lot of questions!