FLOTATION THERAPY IS BACKED BY POSITIVE CLINICAL RESEARCH AND HEARTFELT PATIENT TESTIMONIALS.
The practice of flotation therapy was first developed at Harvard in 1954. Here at relax: Float Spa, we believe that the reason floating isn’t as big an industry as massage is entirely due to the presentation and nothing to do with the practice. relax: Float Spa is reimagining how floating is presented by using custom designed luxurious flotation equipment and experiences. Our vision is to help spread this incredible form of therapy that is becoming integrated into the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans on a monthly basis.
“Ongoing clinical and psychological studies of REST float therapy have shown multiple payoffs, such as reducing stress by lowering cortisol levels; managing chronic pain, injury, and illness; fighting addiction and depression; elevating mood; and even improving sports performance.” – Men’s Journal
“Across flotation sessions, decreases in muscle tension and pain were evident. For both variables, patients indicated a 25% reduction in the first session and a 33% reduction in the third session.” – Dr. Roderick Borrie and Dr. Tamara Russell, Flotation Therapy Research Group
Floating is achieved by dissolving thousands of pounds of Epsom salts into 95 degree water. A human being is naturally buoyant in this solution, just like an ice cube in a glass. You don’t need to know how to float, or how to swim, you just do. In this state, all of the pressure is alleviated from your joints allowing your muscles to relax and release tension. The Espom salts start to reduce swelling and inflammation body wide, leading to less pressure on the nerves which helps to reduce pain.
Floating tanks or pools are supposed to not only provide a weightless environment, but also one that is sensory deprived. By making the flotation environment sound and light proof, an individual can float weightlessly in water that is the same temperature as your skin with no sensory input keeping your central nervous system engaged. This allows for an experience in which your mind and body are able to let go completely, enabling deep states of relaxation.
“As for me, I plan to climb back in a tank at least three or four times a year. Just thinking about the feeling I get from floating makes me crave it.”– Slate Magazine
YOUR EXPERIENCE AT OUR FACILITY
If it’s your first time floating with us, we ask that you arrive 10-15 minutes prior to your appointment in order to take care of the necessary formalities and familiarize you with our facility and equipment. It is a good idea not to shave the morning of your float. We also recommend that you limit or entirely avoid caffeine that day.
When you arrive you’ll get to begin your relaxation in our calm and cozy lobby. We’ll have you fill out any necessary paperwork have you not already had the chance to do so online. Our knowledgeable and welcoming staff will help you to feel right at home and get a little bit of background about why you’re trying floating for the first time so if we have any relevant tips we can share them with you! You’ll then receive a tour of relax: Float Spa where you will see your flotation room and pool, the post-float decompression lounge and all of the other pertinent details that make our flotation experience so natural.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Nothing. We are pleased to provide you with towels, contact solution and cases, water proof ear plugs, neck pillows upon request, vanities stocked with hairdryers/picks/combs/brushes/cotton swabs/cotton balls, tea, water, and a calm relaxing environment. You won’t need to bring your bathing suit, people generally enter the tank au natural.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FLOAT?
There’s no exact answer to this question, and it may be best to go in without expectations, but it is such an individual experience that we try to avoid saying too much so you’re not influenced by what someone else says.
The very first time you Float may generally be similar for many people, as you are acclimating to the experience of Floating weightlessly without external stimuli. After you become comfortable and relax, the variety of experiences one could have is infinite and only limited by your imagination and personal goals, but most people will find the experience very peaceful, relaxing, and rejuvenating.
Just like many experiences, it may vary depending on the person and if the individual has the ability to “let go” while Floating, relax the body, quiet the mind, and sink into the experience. The most common reports are profound peace and relaxation, deep concentration and creativity, yet not only will it be different for you than it is for anyone else, it will be a little different each time.
We will tell you this…You should expect to be provided an environment that will help facilitate your full relaxation. You should expect to be delighted with how cool it feels to float weightlessly in perfect body temperature water. You should expect to learn more about your relationship with your mind and with yourself. You should expect the opportunity to let go completely.