An Hour of Floating: A Sensory Deprivation Experience
Discovering the Surprises of Float Therapy
As a first-time user of a float tank, I had anticipated the sensation of floating for an hour. However, the experience turned out to be much more intriguing than I had imagined. Before immersing myself in the water, I understood the basic statistics – the large pool filled with 400kg of Epsom salts and 1,000 litres of water. Nonetheless, I was unprepared for the heat permeating the room and the pool itself, both maintaining a steady 34.5C. In the middle of the session, I found myself sitting up due to a sudden sense of claustrophobia brought on by the humidity.
City Cave, a renowned float therapy center with various locations across Australia, claims that floating in a float tank can induce a deep state of relaxation, allowing the brain to enter a phase of rest and repair. As I transitioned from a pleasant 17C day in Sydney to an air-conditioned room watching an introductory video, and then finally to the dimly lit chamber with smooth black stone walls and hot, humid air reminiscent of a tropical island, I couldn’t help but find the stark contrast quite surprising. The humid atmosphere greeted me with a warm punch-like sensation, contradicting my previous assumption that 34.5C is the same temperature as my own skin. It turned out that I was always this hot without realizing it.
Discovering the Sensation of Floating
Prior to entering the pool, it is important to insert the provided earplugs for both comfort and hygiene purposes. A quick cold or lukewarm shower prepares you for the floating experience. Following the instructions from Keira at the front desk, I held the handrail and entered the pool step by step. As I squatted down and gradually lowered myself into the water, I discovered that the temperature of 34.5C felt perfectly balanced against my skin. It was reminiscent of a relaxing bath, eliminating the need for hesitation or disappointment over tepid temperatures.
At this point, one might imitate the gesture of otters floating by placing their hands on their chests. Once comfortably seated, I found myself effortlessly floating by simply leaning back, extending my legs, and letting the saltwater do the work. In case of any saltwater accidentally entering your eyes, there is a convenient spray bottle with fresh water nearby to provide relief.
The most remarkable aspect of floating was the swift sensation of weightlessness. I only felt aware of the existence of my head, primarily because it was the source of my thoughts. The closest comparison I could make was the euphoric feeling experienced at the end of a yoga class when you can finally lie down and release all physical tension.
Exploring the Depths of Sensory Deprivation
An hour of sensory deprivation allows for periods of introspection and relaxation. To break up the session, you have the option of listening to music during the first and last 10 minutes of the hour, or adjusting the lighting in the chamber. Personally, I became curious about moving from one side of the pool to the other, gently propelling myself with my outstretched arms, mirroring the tranquility of a paper cut-out doll. Another pleasing experience was placing my hands on my chest, imitating the graceful floating posture of otters, resulting in a feeling of being a giant otter myself.
I remained awake throughout the session, although there were moments when my focus shifted away from my breathing and my mind wandered without thoughts. There was a significant period of complete stillness, and when I finally moved my arms, I encountered some resistance – a reminder of the salt drying on my skin over time. As the music serenaded the last 10 minutes of the hour, I was consumed by an immense sense of relaxation. The bass notes resonated through my feet, a sensation that I had not noticed at the beginning of the session. Eventually, a recording played, indicating that the hour had concluded. Unable to comprehend the message due to my earplugs, I realized it was time to emerge from the brined skin and return to the world of gravity, all while taking a refreshing cold or lukewarm shower.
Concluding Thoughts: Sinking or Swimming?
Though an hour might seem like a significant amount of time to float in a state of sensory deprivation, it surprisingly felt quite short in the end. In a world where we are constantly inundated with tasks and responsibilities, an hour dedicated to floating offered a brief respite from the weight of everyday life.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
