How many ways can you float in time and space? Sensory deprivation tank #whywefloat

 

photocredit: metronews.ca

Float 1 of 2

Nine floating tanks with private showers waited for avid relaxers in a semi-industrial space of this modern-day hi-tech spa. The experience started with hearing the blood rushing through my veins and temples. The magnesium fluid in the floating tank had a body temperature, but – at times – it felt very hot, sometimes cold, especially on the forehead.  Some old aches in the knees, head, teeth and ankles resurfaced.  Half-way there, I got bored – what do you do in a float tank? Not much, except for lying. Trying to stay motionless for 90 minutes was a challenge. I was curious about the auditory hallucinations but they were not as strong as I expected; I’ve heard mostly unrecognisable roars and white noise.

Did I know where my body ended? Yes, most of the time. When I raised my head or knees a little bit, I could feel the water on my skin. The spatial disorientation reminded me of the reports of the alleged cannabis high. Body fluids started to travel down from my intracranial caveats into my upper airways. What do you do with the mucus while floating? You can’t really spit it out into the tank. A definitive highlight of the whole experience was a warm supportive feeling on my lower back.

Post float – I was feeling a little dizzy and disoriented when standing in the shower. A massive block of crystal salt throned the post-float chill out room. Equipped with yoga mats, sofas, books and tea, the space did what the title said – chill out. Videos of bears near mountain streams were projected onto a huge wall. I thought that living in a wooden cabin by the sea would be easy. The nice, glowing feeling lasted for about two hours after the float; everything seemed ok. I was also very focused and relaxed for the next 22 hours.

Having had such a positive first experience of floating, I’m looking forward to the next one.

Float 2 of 2

October 2015
“Tank number five, please,” said the receptionist with a soft voice inviting me to float, only to emerge as a much calmer, grounded person.
“How was your float? Good?”
“Always,” a woman sitting next to me in the chill-out sofa replied on our behalf. I was still deeply immersed in the post-float state of mind. Sunken in the experience. I re-discovered this world of experiences and heightened senses that we don’t access enough. It’s there all the time and so are the ways to get there – some more, other less harmful (e.g., floating). A world floating just below the thin water surface. In it’s an extreme form of solitude and silence, floating has given me a lot.  I’ll do it twice a year.