Decompress and Regenerate at Pause Float Studio
This last week was one of firsts. On Monday evening I had my first ever floating session.
At this point most of you are probably reading this and thinking "huh?!" Trust me, prior to hearing about this new method of relaxation and therapy I was thinking the exact same thing.
Honestly this is probably one of my favorite parts of my job though. A lot of times I make connections or relationships that allow me to try fun new things which I am sooo all about. This was one of those moments.
My coworker came to me and told me about this awesome new float studio which some of us were going to try out. Her excitement immediately got me as I was completely clueless to this whole floating thing. I had to look it up.
Everything about Pause Float Studio is gorgeous. From the decor, to the colors to the overall serene vibes flowing throughout, I was all about this Insta-worthy space. I felt zen just browsing their website - which by the way provides answers to all your questions and then some.
Image via Sporteluxe
So what is it exactly?
In short, "flotation therapy is the practice of entering an enclosed tub or sensory deprivation tank and becoming buoyant, while partially submerged in 10 inches of clean, body-temperature water, custom-blended with 1,000 pounds of therapeutic Epsom salts" (PauseFloatStudio.com).
You read that correctly, 1,000 pounds of therapeutic Epsom salts!!
My mom is seriously ALL about the Epsom salts but she puts 2 cups not 1,000 pounds of it in her tub.
What does floating do?
Floating Reduces the Risk of:
hypertension
depression
anxiety
insomnia
chronic pain
pain from injury
heart disease
fatigue
migraine headaches
In addition...
Floating Enhances:
detoxification
deep relaxation
creativity
super learning
right and left brain synchronicity
visualization
sports performance
athletic recovery
muscle and bone regeneration
hair and skin health
(Info via PauseFloatStudio.com)
Sounds like a win, win WIN in my book!
While I read up on the experience prior to venturing into Pause Float Studio, I was still plenty nervous and not sure what to expect.
I arrived 10 minutes early (as instructed) and got the welcome spiel alongside the other 3 newbies preparing for their 6:30 pm session. We were shown to our individual rooms which featured a private open, glass shower next to our giant pod. As expected, the room was dimly lit with an underwater light illuminating the pod and a spotlight above the shower.
Once our Pause professional left each of us to our private rooms, the experience officially began.
First, I rinsed off in the shower to rid myself of any oils or lotions or sweat from the day in preparation for my float. Then it was officially time to step into the pod.
Image via PauseStudio.com.
I closed the lid (but kept the underwater light on) and started the meditation music. My body definitely fought like hell at the beginning. It didn't feel natural for me to float on top of all this water without any effort so it took a while to loosen up and really relax into the experience.
In the first few minutes my mind was on hyper-drive. In addition to the struggle my body faced relaxing, my mind faced a similar battle. It didn't help that the water stung the cuts around my cuticles - I know, I know I need to stop picking at my fingers, I'm trying okay?!
To be honest, once I sucked it up and turned the light off, leaving myself in total darkness, the true relaxation began, That's kind of the last moment I remember before the light came back on and the voice inside the pod was instructing me to get out of the pod and rinse off as it was the end of my session.
I actually managed to remain in the pod for 60 minutes AND fell asleep!
I wasn't sure how much time I had in the room so I hurried to get ready to reenter the real world which was a big mistake. Somehow I managed to not rinse off thoroughly enough so by the time I exited the room and went to the "transition room" I was covered in hardened salt. And I mean covered!
In the transition room, you're given tea by candlelight and an opportunity to talk about your experience with a Pause professional as well as the other people who experienced the floating session in the rooms next to you. It was good to hear that others struggled with similar issues in their first floating session.
My first floating session at Pause Float Studio was interesting. I can't deny that I felt rejuvenated and fresh after those 60 minutes. My normal day to day soreness was gone and I felt clear-headed and ready to take on the day (kind of ironic since it was now 8:30pm). But bottom line, I felt fresh.
However, there were a couple things I wish had been different. First of all, I was an idiot with the whole post-float shower situation so I take all the blame for that one. Being covered in hardened salt is not a pleasant experience so should you choose to take part in your own floating session, make sure you thoroughly rinse off afterwards! Trust me you'll thank me later.
Lastly, I must admit I was expecting some eye-awakening moment in the floating pod. Mind you I would not consider myself a super spiritual person but I was looking for that experience in my floating pod. However I just fell asleep and floated my worries and soreness away...
To learn more about Pause Float Studio, check them out at their website here.
I can't wait to hear about your first floating experience!
(Originally Published July 27, 2017)