Floatation Therapy is Like Being Transported Out of This World
I read about flotation therapy a few years ago as a meditation practice. Other than “scary,” I didn’t have expectations about what it was like. I envisioned being locked in a coffin filled with water, but it’s nothing like that at all.
I hoped that it would be relaxing and meditative. It ended up being transcendent.
Flotation Therapy
They say regular floating can increase energy, productivity, physical performance, and well-being while heightening focus and creativity. Other benefits include enhanced relaxation, detoxification, and pain recovery.
And some famous basketballer guy swears by it, so that was good enough for me.
The Setup
The location I went to was in a basement. I was worried it might be sketchy, but it was very legit. After buzzing the door to be let in, I took the elevator down and was greeted by a little receptionist dog. Just kidding, I don’t know what the dog’s job was, but he was a good greeter.
The actual receptionist took me on a tour through a tranquil spa area and into a lovely changing room with a shower. She gave me a series of instructions to follow before getting into the floatation tank:
- Wash with body wash
- Clean hair with shampoo, no conditioner
- Clean ears
- Insert silicone earplugs to keep water out
She explained I would want to follow the showering procedure again once I exited the chamber. The only difference was that afterward, I could use the conditioner. It was the first time in my life that the process of taking a shower was explained to me. I appreciated it ( it turns out I’ve been doing it right, go me!).
The Secret Door
I expected her to take me to another area where they kept the water coffins, but instead, she opened a secret door into the floatation chamber. My first thought was, secret doors are so cool; then, wow, it’s bigger than I expected.
The actual flotation therapy chamber was about the size of an average walk-in closet.
A mild blue light illuminated the large tub of warm water and “stars” of light from the ceiling. With the door shut, the entire tub could be enclosed in darkness.
Time to Get Naked
Reading my mind, she said, “So, you go in totally nude. People always ask that.” Sweet, I thought, it will be like going back into the womb.
There are controls on the side of the tub, so lights and soft music can be left on, but as soon as I got in the tub, I turned everything off so I’d be in total dark, silence. Hello, darkness, my old friend.
Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a %$&*
The tub is filled with 1,600 pounds of salt, so any open wounds, no matter how tiny, will be noticed ( Pro-tip, don’t do a bikini wax on the same day).
I began to float as soon as I got in the water. It was probably like being on a magic carpet if you were wet and blind. The experience of no sight or sound was immediately peaceful, though I could also see it inducing a panic attack.
The chamber is warm and humid, but not hot or cool. The air was thick and I could feel each breath like a living organism. Settle in; I coached myself; this is going to be a long hour.
A Big Bowl of Jelly
Suspended in the middle of something undefinable, it began to feel like I was in a bowl of jelly. My body was completely supported, but nothing touched me.
I ran my hands across my body and it felt slimy like a worm, so I stopped.
My Eyes are Open (are they?)
After a while, I opened my eyes. It was the same as when my eyes were closed (nothing but black), so I decided to keep them closed. Some indeterminate amount of time passed when I realized I’d never shut my eyes. They were still open. What the actual $%&*?
I thought about going to sleep. Yes, I’d go to sleep. Then the lights came on and a soft female voice said some things I can’t recall about my experience coming to an end. Sixty minutes had passed in what seemed like 10 minutes.
I’m an 800-Pound Human Worm
Salt had crystallized on my stomach and I brushed it away as I stood. My body was so heavy and yet so fluid.
I stepped back through the secret door into the shower and turned on the warm water. Some time passed as I swayed and spaced out in a state of utter peace and relaxation.
Flotation therapy leaves you dreamy and as liquid as honey.
It took me some time to focus on showering and getting dressed. After, I went into a small, dark lounge to transition back into the world. It’s like the nursery in the hospital.
Naked Pictures of Myself
When she first showed me the lounge on the tour, she’d said people often felt creative after floatation, so they’d put out paper, pencils, books, and puzzles. I thought that was stupid but politely kept it to myself.
As soon as I sat down, I began to draw a picture of myself floating. I left it for the next person to enjoy.
What a Long Strange Trip it’s Been
I walked home in a state of total bliss. The wind on my face felt new, the smells of the restaurants delectable, the sirens blaring loud. The whole world seemed new to me.
“… now that she’s back in the atmosphere, with drops of Jupiter in her hair … hey, hey, hey … hey.”
I’d gone somewhere; I don’t know where, but I think I’ll probably be going back soon.
Originally published at https://middlejourney.com on January 5, 2020.
