A couple of weeks ago I was invited to try out a Float Experience at Float Culture in Grafton. To be honest it couldn’t have come at a worse better time, I was deep in the throws of planning and putting together Sebastian’s 3rd birthday parties and the thought of spending 90 minutes relaxing seemed a bit of a joke.
But at the same time, I was thoroughly intrigued by the concept of ‘floating’ and couldn’t wait to try it out (let alone have 90 peaceful minutes to myself).
So what is Floating? Floating involves lying in a super-saturated Epsom-salt solution about 30cm deep. The salt water solution is heated to skin temperature 35.5C. Once you are settled, it is almost impossible to tell which parts of your body are in the water and which aren’t. The high density of our saline solution will make you feel completely weightless, letting every single muscle in your body fully relax. The float pods are specifically designed to block out all external distractions, such as sights, sounds, tactile sensations and gravity.
Upon arrival to my ‘floating appointment’ and as a first time floater I was shown their introductory video before being shown to my appointment room. I had been given the Ocean room, I walked in and automatically felt calm and relaxed (heck, if I felt this way walking into the room – what was I going to feel like after the actual experience!). I was given a run down by a member of the team and then left to it. I was quick to follow their instructions and get into my floating experience (relaxing).
**I would like to point out that their are two different types of float tanks – the pods which you climb on down into and lower the lid; and the one which I got to experience the little rooms.**
As soon as I entered the pod I noticed how weightless I felt, how lite, how free. Once you have got your bearings and during the first 10 minutes gentle music is played to ease you into your experience. I played around for a few moments working out what was more comfortable before letting my body position itself. I think that in itself is part of the experience – giving in, letting go and allowing something else take over.
I was surprised at how easy I found it to relax and let myself go to the process. My mind wandered for bit until it found it’s calm and then settled, before I realised what had happened (and that’s the best part, I didn’t realise) I had fallen asleep and was being woken by soft music being played back into my float tank signalling the end of my float session.
Sessions are 90 minutes and that includes a full 60 minutes of floating with time either side to shower and ease in and out of your experience. Everything is included from the face, body and hand lotion to a hair dryer; it is all provided in your room. Seriously, Float Culture have thought of it all. The facility is spotlessly clean and in the weekends you can even book in for a 45 minutes massage straight after your float – which sounds to me like heaven on a plate.
What I loved the most was that from the very second you walked in the door everything slowed, your experience started the moment you walked in those doors not just while in the float tank. I came out of the experience feeling lighter, more relaxed, tension that I didn’t I had had gone, I slept that night beautifully and mind felt clearer. I think I may have found my new favourite way to relax 🙂 I would thoroughly recommend the experience to others and if you can swing it that you have that massage at the end… then go ahead. Do it. You deserve it!
***My float experience was kindly gifted to me by Float Culture; however all thoughts, words and opinions are my own***
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