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Go With the Float Salt-Water Floatation Therapy 101 By Haley Huchler
T
o some, floating in an enclosed pod of water might sound less like relaxing and a little more like a nightmare. But those who embrace it will tell you not to knock it until you’ve tried it. The benefits and full experience just might surprise you.
What is Salt-Water Floatation Therapy? Salt-water floatation therapy is a sensory deprivation experience intended to provide major benefits to the brain and body. It was first developed in 1954 by physician and neuroscientist John C. Lilly, and today, there are more than 300 float centers in the United States. A salt-water floatation tank contains water with a highly concentrated amount of Epsom salt in it, making the water incredibly buoyant. The water is kept at the same temperature as the human body, and the tank is soundproof and completely dark. The goal of the tank is to eliminate the senses of sight, hearing and touch to create a soothing sensory deprivation experience that encourages floaters to enter a meditative state. The buoyancy of the water allows muscles to relax, relieving any tension within the body. Tanks are usually meant to be closed, but Adriana Benoit, founder of Mystic Flow Wellness Center in Gainesville, Virginia, says she leaves her tanks slightly open to reduce feelings of claustrophobia and make clients feel more comfortable. Describing the tanks, Benoit says the ones at her business measure 10 by 8 feet. “Imagine your car with nothing in it,” said Benoit. This is about the size of a floatation tank.
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December 2021 prince william living
Floatation pods can be used open or closed, depending on the comfort of the user.
The Benefits Salt-water floatation therapy has been applauded for the many health benefits it provides, both mental and physical. Floating can help treat and manage chronic pain, as well as stress and anxiety. It helps relax both the muscles and the mind. Benefits also include improved concentration, enhanced mental clarity, softened and replenished skin, and better circulation. Benoit opened Mystic Flow Wellness Center in 2016. Benoit, who is from Costa Rica, says she first got into salt-water floatation therapy because she missed the benefits of floating in the ocean. “What I love about [salt-water floatation] is it allows me to be present within my body. We live in a very busy world, so we’re not really connected sometimes to our bodies…your body really tells you everything in the hour that you’re [in the tank],” said Benoit.
