You don’t need to bring anything as we provide you with a private room fitted with a shower, towels, shower products, ear plugs and make-up wipes. We also have an area with hair dryers.
Remember you room is completely private and although in the images one sees on social media bathers/swimmers are worn, most people float naked. And who wants to take home salty bathers?
There are 6 rooms and all of them are identical.
We recommend you avoid:
- Shaving right before coming in.
- Colouring your hair within the past 7 days.
- Applying skin tanning products within the past 7 days.
- Caffeine & stimulants like tobacco and alcohol prior.
Floating with your period is totally your choice.
Some women have no issues with playing sport or swimming, others would prefer to stay in bed as cramping and pain is an issue. Note that a women’s pH can affect her experience in a tank and may cause mild discomfort.
Most important is that you are respectful of the space you are using so wearing a clean menstrual cup or fresh tampon is required.
Yes, pregnant women can greatly benefit from floatation therapy, during all stages of pregnancy, from swollen ankles, anxiety, hypertension, back pain, cramping, and not finding a comfortable position to sleep in. The floatation tank is a calm and quiet environment, where women can finally experience deep relaxation and feel rest, where all stress is removed, mentally and physically. We believe floating is safe for all stages of pregnancy, but you may still wish to speak with your health care professional about floating before coming in for your sessions, just like you would before commencing any new activity. Yes, we allow pregnant women to float all the way though, up until 38 weeks.
Sometimes people fall asleep in the pod. If this happens you will continue to float normally, and music will awaken you in the last 5 minutes.
This can vary from each centre, so please call and confirm, but generally, You must be 12 years or older to float. And if under 16 will require parental consent and accompaniment.
Different centres have different types of pods such as open pool rooms, cabins and enclosed style pods such as dream pods (which were used in our centre.) Samadhi Float Tank was the original float tank company to design and build a float tank with the collaboration of Dr J.C. Lilly (the inventor of the isolation tank)
While numerous people who suffer from claustrophobia have consistently reported no problems, rest assured that you have complete control over your environment. If you choose, you can keep the pod cover open and the interior lights on. Most people agree that being inside feels more like floating in space than feeling trapped in an enclosed area. Many individuals who come to the centre feeling nervous, end up really enjoying the experience, some even found it beneficial in addressing their claustrophobia.
Migraines have several triggers, dehydration, bright lights, food sensitivities, hormones, changes in temperature, and too much time on a computer.
All of these affect the blood flow to the brain, and a person’s ability to relax, both physically and mentally. Studies show that Floatation therapy or REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) allows the brain and body to deeply relax, this naturally shifts the brain wave patterns causing a release of endorphins (which are a group of hormones that act like natural painkillers). Giving time for the brain to regain equilibrium, floatation therapy also enables to body and brain to retrain how it manage ‘stress. One float won’t cure your migraines but a course of sessions will certainly start changing how your brain deals with stress. You can schedule a call with us to discuss this in more detail.
Some individuals float daily, particularly athletes in training or at elite levels, experiencing accelerated recovery and multiple benefits in the floatation tank. For most of us, weekly floats fit our schedules best. Initially, 9-12 floats in a concentrated period are recommended to reach the “Bliss” point, after which frequency depends on individual preference. People float for diverse reasons, such as enhancing calmness before or after counselling sessions or easing chronic pain by relaxing muscles as well as offering better outcomes with other modalities such as physiotherapy, remedial massage and chiropractic as the muscles are more relaxed.
No. Epsom salt has been used for centuries as a medicinal treatment for various skin conditions. Floating in such a concentration of salts not only relaxes you but hydrates your skin leaving it feeling silky smooth and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. So it is a beauty bath in the truest sense of the word.
Yes, Floatation therapy has gained many followers and it is widely used by professional athletes to help them relax, enhance performance, and recover from injuries. The sensory deprivation experience eliminates the effects that gravity has on the body, all tension is released from joints and muscles and any pressure placed on the spine. The positive flow for athletic performance is varied in sports, many athletes have reported increased mental focus, better performance, endurance and stamina, and of course faster physical recovery.
This would be one expensive float! The cost of draining the tank and refilling is over $600, so we recommend you leave at least 7 days before and after you have dyed your hair or so that the water runs clean when you wash it. Floating before having your hair dyed can potentially affect the dyeing process. Spray tans can also discolour the tank, so please wait 7-10 days before scheduling a float
There are about 600 kilograms of Epsom salt in a float tank, and like any form of salt, it can sting on a freshly waxed or shaven body. However note that Epsom salts can be used to heal skin conditions like psoriasis; the first 7-10 mins may be uncomfortable, You can ask at reception if they supply a single-use pack of petroleum jelly that acts as a liquid bandage, alternatively, you can bring your own.
Showering was a vital step in the experience at our float centre. Not all float centres have the same view, however, it remains crucial for maintaining a clean tank, balancing the skin’s PH balance as well as being a part of a gentle ritual to prepare and reconnect to the body before beginning your Floating experience. It’s important to note that a lukewarm shower is ideal; maintaining skin temperature is key to a gentle transition into the float tank. Washing your hair before and after a float is also an important step. This not only removes oils and products in the hair before, but it also helps your hair to reach its capacity of absorption – which means it will absorb less of the salt solution. After your float, you can then wash away the remaining salt solution and condition your hair. Most float centres will provide a hairdryer. Contact your chosen centre to find out if they provide hairbrushes and any additional items you may prefer to use.
Being naked in a tank might feel unusual at first, but remember you’re in complete control. Many customers feel nervous or may have claustrophobia but this is something that fades away the more you float. The room is private and you control the lock on the door to the room. You can adjust the lights and lid to your comfort level. If you prefer light and an open lid for your first float, that’s perfectly fine. You can discuss this with the employee who will give you your introduction. The goal is to create a relaxing sensory experience. While many floaters eventually enjoy the darkness and quietness, don’t feel pressured to close the lid if that makes you feel anxious.
Floating offers a direct path to achieving the theta state, a relaxed and peaceful mind that meditation, mindfulness, and breathwork aim for. The isolation of a float tank eliminates distractions, allowing you to focus on your breath and observe your thoughts with ease. Combining floating with these practices can be incredibly beneficial. While floating may not be the absolute fastest way for everyone, research suggests it can be an effective shortcut to experiencing theta waves. It might take a few sessions to feel truly at ease if you’re new to meditation, spending time alone with your thoughts, or even floating yourself. We recommend 5-10 floats to reach that blissful state.
This will depend on each centre. The only time we recommend or allow this is when a child and parent float together to help the child feel familiar and comfortable with the unique environment before they start their journey.
Otherwise, floating is all about you and enhances your experience and sensory atonement. Give yourself the time to recharge and reconnect. If someone else is in the tank, you will feel and hear every breath, which impairs your ability to deeply relax and allow your brain to switch gears. Remember, you are here to reduce external sensory input. But you are an individual and it is your experience. Make sure you call the centre before, find out your options and see what style and size the tanks are.
No, this is a personal preference. Some centres supply disposable ones, and you can sometimes purchase other styles of plugs. We recommend the first few times you float that you use them, and once you are comfortable with the sensation, you can decide for yourself. Our HS101 Skin Spritz is safe to spray in your ears and helps dissolve the salt from your float.
People who float regularly will all have their own story, which is different for each person and each float. The magnesium-rich solution is warmed to skin temperature it will be comfortable and relaxing. The density of the solution is perfectly balanced so that you effortlessly float. Because you are in a peaceful quiet space, you will naturally begin to feel a sense of calm, as there is nothing to disturb your senses, so people describe the experience as blissful and often lose the sense of time. Floating weightlessly is a unique experience and one that everyone can benefit from.
The price of float therapy varies widely depending on the location and the float centre. Similarly, the recommended duration for a float session also varies. While some places offer only 90-minute sessions, most float centres provide options for 60-minute, 90-minute, and 120-minute sessions. Additionally, if you have a good relationship with the staff, you might be able to float for longer periods.
Float centers offer different packages and pricing options. Generally, the more frequently you float, the cheaper each session becomes. As a rough guide, prices can range from as low as $49 to over $100 per session. It’s important to note that not all float centres offer the same level of service, so for first-timers, receiving a thorough orientation and understanding of float therapy is crucial.
You are in total control of the session and you can leave the tank at any time. If you’re feeling like you want to end the session early, we recommend coming back to some soft breaths and even switching on the light trying to remain there for just a little while longer and checking in with what is making you feel anxious and wanting to leave. However, if you feel the need to exit, you can leave the tank and begin the post-float process whenever you feel necessary.
Floating in its essence is about your own personal experience. Allowing time to explore the benefits of Float Healing is what it’s all about.
Below is a list of many of the conditions the research has shown R.E.S.T to help with:
Agoraphobia, Anxiety disorders, Anorexia nervosa, Claustrophobia, Chronic muscular tension, Neck & back pain and soreness, Skin conditions, Stress-related conditions, Tension headaches, Fibromyalgia, Hypertension, Insomnia, Panic disorder, Parkinson’s Disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Depression, Post-natal depression, Stress-related pain with “burnout depression”.
The list goes on. Many of these conditions are well-complemented with other healing modalities for physical health as well as emotional and spiritual health. Water Temple has worked alongside many allied health practitioners and treated clients who use floatation therapy as part of their treatment protocol.
The salt used to create buoyancy in float tanks is magnesium sulphate, commonly known as Epsom salt. The high concentration of salt (approx 600kg) is what creates the weightlessness within the water. Epsom salt relieves aches and pains, helps detoxify the body, and improves overall health. Magnesium is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body. It helps regulate the activity of more than 325 enzymes and plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions, including muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production, and the elimination of harmful toxins.
Magnesium sulphate also flushes out toxins, improves nutrient absorption, aids in the formation of joint and mucin proteins and brain tissue, and helps prevent or ease migraine headaches. Essentially, we need magnesium sulphate, yet most of us are deficient due to depleted soil. Fortunately, it is absorbed transdermally through the skin during float therapy.
Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts, commonly used in the float industry) and magnesium chloride (Dead Sea salts) are both magnesium salts. When either magnesium chloride or Epsom salt is diluted in water, their bonds separate. If both products are diluted into bath water simultaneously, you would have three separate minerals.
Transdermal therapy is one of the most effective methods of absorption. Alternating between the two products can be highly beneficial: use Epsom salts for floating and magnesium chloride in your bath at home. This ensures you are replenishing your cells with all three essential minerals.
The silky solution in float tanks is shallow, typically just 25-30 cm deep. Falling asleep during a session often indicates much-needed rest and relaxation. You float effortlessly on your back without any tendency to roll over. The high salt content keeps you buoyant on the surface, whether you’re asleep or awake.
The relaxing environment of the float tank often induces sleep, providing you with one of the best naps you can have. You wake up feeling revitalized yet relaxed, with sustainable energy to support you through the day. For some individuals, Floating in the evening before bed can also help you enjoy a restful sleep as your mind and body are thoroughly relaxed.