Why Float
Why Float
Floating in the pod, with no light or sound, is one of the fastest and most effective ways to elicit the body’s natural relaxation response and enter a state of deep relaxation. Your brain responds by removing undesirable chemicals and releasing endorphins stimulating feelings of happiness and well-being. Simply put, floating calms our overly stimulated systems and restores the body’s chemical and metabolic balance.
Research has shown that regular use of the float pod can help health problems that are caused or exacerbated by chronic stress such as fibromyalgia, insomnia, hypertension, anxiety disorders, and migraines. By invoking the relaxation response blood flow increases to all parts and systems of the body, including the brain, creating a whole body healing effect. Floating also provides relief from the constant downward push of gravity, the single greatest cause of wear and tear to bones, joints and body tissue.
Amongst the noise and craziness of city life, it’s not uncommon for people to be in a state of constant stress activating the “fight-or-flight” response multiple times during the day. This can be brought on by any number of events such as traffic jams, long lines in the grocery store, or looming deadlines at work. Over time, such low-grade chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and muscle tension. Floating can help people counteract the toxic effects of chronic stress by slowing breathing rate, relaxing muscles, and reducing blood pressure. People often report feeling refreshed and rejuvenated and better able to cope with life’s minor annoyances after floating.
The Float Pod creates an environment that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. During your session you are floating effortlessly in 1200Lbs. of epsom salt dissolved into 11-inch of water within a lightproof and soundproof environment. The water is maintained at the same temperature as your skin and after a few minutes you lose the awareness of where your body ends and the water begins. After you feel the effects of your first float you may wonder how something so simple can have such a profound effect on your overall well-being. However, the benefits of floating are backed by over thirty years of mainstream scientific research in human performance.
The Float Pod creates an environment that cannot be found anywhere else on earth. During your session you are floating effortlessly in 1200Lbs. of epsom salt dissolved into 11-inch of water within a lightproof and soundproof environment. The water is maintained at the same temperature as your skin and after a few minutes you lose the awareness of where your body ends and the water begins. After you feel the effects of your first float you may wonder how something so simple can have such a profound effect on your overall well-being. However, the benefits of floating are backed by over thirty years of mainstream scientific research in human performance.
Avoid shaving the day of the float. After shaving, the skin may be sensitive causing distractions during the float due to the Epsom salt sting.
Be sure to use the washroom prior to showering before you float. You do not want any distractions during your float.
Avoid caffeine before you float. The stimulation you experience from caffeine will inhibit your ability to relax and experience the full effect of floating.
Performing physical activities such as yoga, cardio or strength straining before your float can greatly enhance the floating experience and help the body heal and repair itself. Combining activities can also allow you to enter a deeper state of relaxation during your float.
The great thing about floating it that it can be customized to your comfort level. For first timers we recommend that you first float with the light and music on during the float. You may also leave the door or float pod lid open as well.
Once you get comfortable with floating you may turn off the lights and music or leave them on. You may also stop by our Kensington or Marda Loop location and we can give you the tour so you can see just how large our pods and float rooms are! Usually people think that they will be floating in a small dark coffin like float tank. That’s not the case. Our float tanks are nice and spacious and not claustrophobic.
Floating is a very individual practice that you want to be consistent with but how often you float may depend on what you want to get out of it. There are many benefits that attract people to floating including stress relief, relaxation/meditation, chronic pain relief, enhancing overall wellbeing and improving sleep; depending on your reason for floating you may want to adjust how often you float. Again, there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to floating but here are some basic guidelines to help you get started.
This is a blog post written by Joe Rogan after having one of his most enlightening experiences in a float tank. Joe has such a unique perspective on life and has been one of the biggest advocates for floating and he often floats in his own float tank at his home in L.A. The full blog post can be found at www.joerogan.net
It’s 1:51am LA time as I write this, and as I sit at my desk my body is covered with the white, dried Epsom salts that are 800lbs thick in water of my isolation tank.
Go in with no expectations
A lot has been written on the internet about people’s floating experiences. No two peoples’ experiences are the same. Even my own floating experiences very from float to float. If you are really interested in floating and the potential benefits,I suggest floating 2-3 times within a few week period and really experience it for yourself. You will find that the more times you float the easier it is to relax and the deeper you can go.
I’m Daniel, a 32 year old born and raised Calgary. It’s a well-known fact that I’m an unconventional man, someone who’s been on the road less traveled for the majority of their time on earth. January 2015 marked a mile stone for my life. After being spurned by a wonderful lover, moving to a new home and shifting gears in my career I was left feeling like I didn’t know who I was anymore. Don’t get the wrong idea, I was still ambitious and surrounded by love but there was something amiss deep within my being. Intuitively I could sense that there was a problem. As it turns out FloatLife was the crux of me finding the solution to issues that went much deeper that I could have ever imagined.
I found it to be one of the most anxiety reducing experiences I have ever had.
The tank has been the most important tool that I have used to develop my mind, for thinking, for evolving.
Do I need to bring anything?
No, we provide everything you need. Towels, robes, earplugs, body wash, shampoo, and blow dryers are all included. You may want to bring a brush or comb for after your float.
How is the water cleaned between each float?
Between each float session all the water inside the pod passes through a medical grade one micron filter 3.6 times and the 1200 lbs of Epsom salts in the water act as a natural disinfectant, inhibiting the growth of bacteria. We also use an advanced chemical free, 100% biodegradable disinfectant, which fully complies with all Alberta Health Standards and we require each floater to shower before getting in the pod to maintain the highest sanitation standards.
Is there anything I should do to prepare?
We recommend that you don’t drink coffee several hours before floating as it may inhibit your ability to relax. We also advise that do don’t shave or wax before floating since the salt water may irritate your skin. Other than that, there’s no specific preparation needed.
What do I wear in the tank?
Swimwear is not required while floating. You will have complete privacy as each room is accompanied with a shower and their own individual pod.
Does floating really work or is it a fad?
Floating is validated by science with over 200 published research articles on the benefits of floating.
Can I float if I'm pregnant?
Yes! Floating can relieve a lot of the aches and pains caused by pregnancy. If you have any hesitation or have any concerns, please consult with your physician before coming in.
Can I float if I'm menstruating?
Yes. Just follow the same protocol you would for a swimming pool.
What type of tanks do you have?
Our Kensington location at 2 Float Pods and Marda Loop has 2 Float Pods and 4 Large Deluxe Rooms.
Can more than one person float in a tank at a time?
Only one person can float in a tank at one time.
Do I have to stay in the tank the whole time?
You may leave the flotation tank at anytime during the float for any reason. There are no latches on the tank doors making exiting the tank quick and easy. However, we recommend that floaters stay for the full 90-minutes to experience the full affects. Many purport that 90-minutes goes by quite quickly.
Can I drown if I fall asleep in the tank?
Nope. You may fall asleep, but because of the buoyancy of the water you stay afloat eliminating any possibility of drowning.
First ask your doctor to make sure its okay for your ears to be emerged in 11 inches of Epsom salt water. During your float your ears are submerged but you are also provided with silicone ear plug that, if used properly, will prevent any water or salt from getting into your ears. If you do get salt in your ears you can use a vinigar water solution to rinse out the salt.
I was in my 20’s. It was Christmas Eve and we were celebrating the holidays as a family. My Mom decided to put on some old family videos of when my brothers and I were younger. We all dreaded the family videos but none the less we all sat there in the living room to please Mom. After a few minutes of watching myself, I must have been four years old at the time, I couldn’t help but wonder where this joyous, happy spirit went. As a kid I loved being the center of attention and constantly found myself in trouble for talking too much. One teacher was at a loss for how to handle my energy so she decided to take my chair away for the day. Of course this only made things worse so her next move was to put my desk in the hallway for a few days. That worked! I hated being isolated from the rest of the class so I begged to be let back in.