Stimuli is all around us — visual, auditory, bodily and so forth. We move from one stimuli to other in search of that Dopamine hit. We bombard ourselves through sensory inputs all day long but what happens when you deprive yourself of all external stimuli? What happens when you defy gravity?
I went floating to check it out.
I am a sucker for new experiences and I came across this concept of ‘Floatation Tank’, alternatively referred as ‘Isolation Tank’. You get into a pod like tank with 600kg of dissolved Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) which make you float, effortlessly! Floating is also supposed to help in reducing pain and inflammation. This was another driver for me to try it out as I have chronic leg pain issues. There are numerous other claimed benefits out of which I have listed few below. Many high performer athletes float regularly and vouch for floating benefits.
- Recovers sore joints and muscles.
- Eliminates fatigue.
- Helps reduce pain and inflammation.
- Reduces cortisol levels.
- Relaxes the mind.
- Improves focus.
- Improves oxygen circulation.
- Enhances athletic performance and shorten recovery time.
- Reduces blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and oxygen consumption.
- Deepens meditation practice and expands awareness.
- Helps in creative thinking process.
It claims to do a lot however, I haven’t tried it long enough or looked at the scientific facts to back this up.
So what happened to me in the tank?
I was told that music will play for first 5 minutes and then stop. I slowly glided in the pod as soothing music started playing. As I immersed myself completely in the pod, I started floating immediately. The first 10 minutes were extremely unsettling as I struggled letting go of my body completely. I felt stiff as rock in my neck as I kept attempting to keep my neck up. Eventually I let it all go after about 15 minutes and that’s when the real party started! The temperature of the water was matched to my body temperature and thus, it was not too cold; not too hot but perfect. The mind started to calm down and muscles began to relax as those salts got absorbed through my skin. I was floating effortlessly. I felt like my body was under anesthetic with complete loss of awareness. I completely lost the sense of my body. As my sense of the body dissolved, all I left with was my mind. I thought about my leg pain but I could not feel any because I could not feel my leg! I switched off the lights, closed my eyes and started conscious breathing for last half an hour. If you are into meditation, the tank provides highly conducive environment for it. I was totally blissed out! I came out feeling very light with complete calm and peace. It was one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating experiences for both body and mind.
Here are some tips if you are going to float for the first time.
- Float naked.
- Do not be scared, you won’t die or suffocate. There is an emergency switch in the tank if something goes wrong.
- Put the ear plugs before you take pre-float shower otherwise they won’t stick well.
- Avoid using neck pillow while floating. It made my neck even stiffer and was very uncomfortable.
- Switch off lights — this will significantly enhance your experience.
- Do not splash —If water gets into eyes, it burns.
- Do not take alcohol, caffeine or any other drugs prior to floating — Some people have tried with psychedelics too but I leave it to your imagination what it’d feel like! You may attain Nirvana! 🙂
- Last but not least — be open to this experience physically and mentally, try to relax and most importantly, LET GO.
I am going again!
If you are in Melbourne, Gravity Floatation Centre is located in Armadale and Northcote.
P.S. — There is a strong possibility that you will get extremely bored and get out within 15 minutes.
