The pursuit of peak performance requires a delicate balance between intense training and sufficient rest to properly recover. Whether you’re a professional athlete or simply someone who regularly hits the gym, unless you prioritize your recovery, the demands placed on the body can lead to fatigue, muscle soreness, and even injury. Traditional recovery methods like stretching, massage, and proper nutrition are critical, but many athletes are now turning to floatation therapy as an innovative way to enhance both their performance and recovery.
The reason? Floating provides a unique environment where we experience a variety of physical and mental benefits which can contribute directly to improved athletic performance, and allow the body to recover in ways that are essentially impossible to achieve through other means.
Physical Benefits of Floating for Athletes
One of the key physical benefits of floatation therapy for athletes is its ability to promote muscle recovery. After strenuous exercise, muscles are often left sore due to the buildup of lactic acid and microtears in muscle fibers. The Epsom salts in float tanks not only help to soothe sore muscles but have also been shown to aid in reducing inflammation and in the clearance of metabolic waste, including lactic acid. This process accelerates the recovery time, allowing athletes to return to their training regimen more quickly and with less discomfort.
In addition to aiding muscle recovery, the zero-gravity environment of a floatation tank alleviates the pressure on joints and spine. This relief is particularly beneficial for athletes who engage in high-impact sports, where the joints and the spine can endure significant strain. By reducing this pressure, floatation therapy can help prevent injuries and support the overall longevity of an athlete's career.
The buoyancy of the floatation tank also contributes to improved circulation, which is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles during recovery. Enhanced blood flow accelerates the healing process of injuries, and the improved circulation also helps reduce swelling and inflammation, further contributing to quicker recovery times.
Mental Recovery and Performance Enhancement
The mental benefits of floating are equally compelling. Mental clarity, focus, and resilience are vital components of athletic performance, and any edge you are able to gain on the competition can easily end up making the difference when the final buzzer sounds.
In the tank, we achieve a deep state of relaxation and mental calm which is an ideal environment for visualization techniques. That is to say it’s an environment where athletes can mentally rehearse their performance without any external distractions. Visualization has been shown to enhance motor skills and improve muscle memory, making it a powerful tool for athletes looking to refine their technique and boost their confidence.
The stress relief provided by floatation therapy is another critical factor in enhancing athletic performance. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can interfere with muscle recovery and negatively impact an athlete's overall well-being. Floating offers athletes a space to mentally reset and recharge, free from the constant demands and distractions of their sport. By lowering cortisol levels and promoting this sense of calm, floating helps athletes maintain a more balanced mental state, allowing them to perform at their best both in training and in competition.
Moreover, the introspective nature of floatation therapy encourages mindfulness, which can improve an athlete's ability to stay present and focused during competition. The ability to remain calm under pressure, maintain focus, and manage emotions are all crucial for achieving peak performance – especially in high pressure situations. Athletes who regularly incorporate floatation therapy into their routine often report increased mental clarity, improved concentration, and a greater sense of inner peace.
Enhancing Sleep and Overall Recovery
Related to both mental and physical health is high-quality sleep, and intense training can sometimes disrupt sleep patterns, leading to restless nights and inadequate recovery.
Floating has been shown to significantly improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress. This deep state of relaxation can help regulate sleep patterns, making it easier for athletes to fall asleep and stay asleep – and it is during sleep that the body undergoes vital repair processes, including muscle growth and tissue repair.
In addition to improved sleep quality enhancing physical recovery, it also supports mental well-being, as restorative sleep is crucial for cognitive function, mood regulation, and overall health.
Athletes who prioritize sleep as part of their recovery process are better equipped to handle the physical and mental demands of their sport. By incorporating floating into their routine, they can ensure that they are getting the quality sleep needed to support peak performance.
Complementing Traditional Recovery Methods
Floatation therapy is not meant to replace traditional recovery methods but rather to complement them. When combined with other recovery strategies such as stretching, massage, proper hydration, and nutrition, floatation therapy can amplify the overall benefits. The holistic approach to recovery that floatation therapy offers can lead to more consistent and sustainable performance improvements.
For athletes looking to enhance their performance, prevent injuries, and expedite recovery, floatation therapy presents a compelling option. Its ability to address both the physical and mental aspects of recovery makes it a versatile addition to an athlete's toolkit. By incorporating regular float sessions into their training regimen, athletes can experience the myriad benefits of the therapy, each doing their part in facilitating the journey toward peak performance.
In conclusion, floatation therapy offers a unique and effective way to enhance athletic performance and recovery. Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who enjoys staying active, the benefits of floating can help you reach your goals more efficiently. By reducing muscle soreness, improving circulation, promoting mental clarity, and enhancing sleep quality, floatation therapy provides a comprehensive approach to athletic recovery that can lead to long-term success.
Managing Chronic Pain With Floatation Therapy
For many people, pain is a temporary and easily managed inconvenience – a stubbed toe, a headache, or a sore muscle after a workout. It’s something that disrupts life for a few hours or days, but rarely has any long term impact on our lives. These encounters with pain, however, are a far cry from the persistent, often debilitating reality faced by millions who live with chronic pain.
Chronic pain isn't just a prolonged version of more fleeting acute pain – it's a complex, often misunderstood condition that can persist for months or even years, profoundly affecting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Traditional treatments for chronic pain, such as medication and physical therapy, are essential, but complementary therapies like floatation therapy can also play a significant role in managing and alleviating pain.
Chronic pain can stem from a wide variety of conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back problems. It often involves a complex interplay of physical and psychological factors, making it challenging to treat effectively. The constant feelings of pain and discomfort can lead to a vicious cycle of decreased activity, increased stress, and poor sleep, all of which can exacerbate the condition.
How Floatation Therapy Can Help
Floatation therapy provides a unique environment that can significantly ease chronic pain. The key benefit lies in its ability to create a state of near-zero gravity, which dramatically reduces the pressure on joints and muscles. This weightlessness offers immediate relief from the constant strain that chronic pain sufferers endure, helping to alleviate tension and reduce inflammation.
Additionally, the floatation solution, rich in magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), enhances the therapy's effectiveness. Magnesium baths have long been renowned for their muscle-relaxing properties and their ability to reduce inflammation, adding to the restorative power that a float session offers.
Reducing Stress and Enhancing Mental Well-being
In addition to offering an environment of physical comfort, floating provides a space of mental solace as well. Chronic pain is often accompanied by high levels of stress and anxiety, which, over time, can diminish mental resolve and exacerbate the perception of pain. Floatation therapy offers an environment free from external stimuli, conducive to meditation and deep relaxation.
The state of mental rest achieved in a float tank encourages mindfulness and introspection. Individuals can focus on their breathing and sensations, fostering a heightened sense of self-awareness. This mental clarity can help pain sufferers develop better coping strategies and enhance their resilience against pain.
Furthermore, studies have shown that the sensory deprivation environment of floatation therapy helps to lower cortisol levels, the body's primary stress hormone. Reduced cortisol levels contribute to a decrease in overall stress and anxiety, promoting a more balanced mental state. This reduction in stress hormones, combined with the physical relief provided by floating, creates a holistic approach to managing chronic pain, addressing both its physical and psychological components.
Improving Sleep Quality
Sleep disturbances are unfortunately quite common among those with chronic pain. Restorative sleep is essential for healing and can greatly enhance the overall well-being of those suffering. When individuals experience uninterrupted, quality sleep, their bodies can undergo necessary repair processes, reduce inflammation, and bolster the immune system. Improved sleep quality also contributes to better mental health, as it helps regulate mood and cognitive functions.
The deep relaxation induced by floatation therapy has been shown to significantly improve sleep quality. By reducing stress and alleviating physical discomfort, floatation helps regulate sleep patterns, making it easier for individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Additionally, the regular practice of floatation therapy can help establish healthier sleep habits. Consistent float sessions can train the body and mind to relax more efficiently, making it easier to achieve restful sleep night after night. This long-term benefit is particularly valuable for those who struggle with chronic pain, as it provides a sustainable way to manage one of the most disruptive aspects of their condition.
By addressing both the physical and mental barriers to quality sleep, floatation therapy offers a comprehensive approach to improving sleep hygiene. This also underscores the importance of integrating floatation therapy into a broader pain management plan as a way of enhancing the overall quality of life for chronic pain sufferers.
Complementing Traditional Treatments
While floatation therapy offers numerous benefits on its own, it can also complement traditional pain management treatments. The calming effects of floatation can enhance the efficacy of treatments such as physical therapy and medication by creating a more receptive mental and physical state.
Medication, while essential for many chronic pain sufferers, often works best when the body is in a relaxed state, meaning that floating’s ability to lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm can enhance the body's response to pain relief medications. This synergistic effect can lead to more consistent and prolonged relief from pain.
Additionally, floatation therapy can provide an alternative or adjunctive treatment for individuals seeking to reduce their reliance on medications. By incorporating floatation into their pain management regimen, some patients may experience sufficient relief to lower their medication dosages, minimizing potential side effects and improving overall health outcomes.
For individuals undergoing physical therapy, floatation therapy can prepare the body by reducing muscle tension and joint stiffness. The weightlessness experienced during a float session can help increase range of motion and flexibility, making it easier to perform physical therapy exercises. This can lead to more effective sessions and potentially faster progress in physical rehabilitation.
Many individuals find that their pain management sessions are more productive after a float session, as they are able to engage more fully and openly in the therapeutic process. The mental clarity and reduced anxiety achieved through floatation therapy can improve focus and cooperation during treatments, allowing for a deeper connection with healthcare providers and a more personalized approach to care.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to Chronic Pain Management
As we continue to explore new and effective ways to manage chronic pain, it's essential to recognize the value of a holistic approach to care. Floatation therapy provides a unique and effective method to both manage symptoms and promote healing. Whether used as a standalone therapy or in conjunction with traditional treatments, floatation therapy offers a sanctuary of peace and relaxation that can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by chronic pain.
Integrating floatation therapy into a comprehensive pain management plan supports holistic well-being. The benefits of floating extend beyond pain relief, contributing to better sleep, reduced stress, and enhanced mental health. This multifaceted approach can lead to a more balanced and resilient state, empowering chronic pain sufferers to lead fuller, more active lives.
By complementing traditional treatments, floatation therapy offers a versatile and effective strategy for managing chronic pain. Its ability to enhance the body's natural healing processes and improve the efficacy of conventional therapies makes it a valuable addition to any pain management program. Embracing floatation therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan can provide chronic pain sufferers with the relief they need and the overall wellness they deserve.
Floating for PTSD Relief - A Path To Healing
June is PTSD Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and promoting effective treatment options for those affected. PTSD can impact anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, and its effects can be deeply challenging. This month, we’d like to share an introduction to how floatation therapy can serve as a powerful tool in managing and alleviating PTSD symptoms, providing much-needed relief and support for those on their healing journey.
Understanding PTSD
First off, while many people associate PTSD with our veteran population, or other individuals who have experienced active conflicts or war, it’s important to understand that PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing any traumatic event. Symptoms can include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. These symptoms can be debilitating – affecting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Traditional treatments such as psychotherapy and medication are essential, but complementary therapies like floating can also play a significant role in managing PTSD.
Reducing Hyperarousal and Anxiety
One of the core symptoms of PTSD is hyperarousal, where the individual remains in a heightened state of alertness, constantly on edge. This can lead to chronic stress and anxiety. Floatation therapy involves an environment free from external stimuli, providing a unique opportunity for deep relaxation and introspection. For individuals with PTSD, this safe, controlled environment can be incredibly soothing, offering a temporary respite from the constant agitation and vigilance that often accompany the condition.
Additionally, floating has been shown to substantially reduce the levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. By lowering cortisol levels, floatation therapy helps mitigate the physiological symptoms of anxiety and stress, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation that can be profoundly healing for those with PTSD.
Enhancing Emotional Processing
Floatation therapy also provides an environment that encourages introspection and self-awareness. In the quiet solitude of the float tank, individuals can process their emotions and thoughts without the distractions and pressures of the outside world. This enhanced self-awareness can be a valuable tool for individuals with PTSD, helping them to confront and process their traumatic experiences in a safe setting. The dramatic calm achieved during floatation therapy can also facilitate a state of mindfulness, allowing individuals to practice better management of intrusive thoughts and emotional distress outside of the tank as well.
Improving Sleep Quality
Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and nightmares, are common among those with PTSD. The deep relaxation induced by floatation therapy has also been known to significantly improve sleep quality. By promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, floating helps regulate sleep patterns, making it easier for individuals to fall asleep and stay asleep. Restorative sleep is crucial for mental health and can greatly enhance the overall well-being of those with PTSD.
Complementing Traditional Therapies
While floatation therapy offers numerous benefits on its own, it can also complement traditional PTSD treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication. The calming effects of floatation can enhance the efficacy of these treatments by creating a more receptive mental state. Many individuals find that their therapy sessions are more productive after a float session, as they are able to engage more fully and openly in the therapeutic process.
Embracing a Holistic Approach to PTSD
As we observe PTSD Awareness Month, it's essential to recognize the value of a holistic approach to PTSD care. Floatation therapy is a valuable complement to the treatments available, offering a unique and effective way to both manage symptoms and promote healing. Whether used as a standalone therapy or in conjunction with traditional treatments, floatation therapy provides a sanctuary of peace and relaxation that can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by PTSD.
To read more and watch some Float Conference videos diving into the topic more deeply, check out this complementary article: Everything we KNOW about floating and PTSD.
How Floating Promotes Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues while promoting healthy practices for maintaining mental well-being. It's a time to reflect on the importance of our mental state, engage in open conversations about mental wellness, and explore various approaches to improving our mental health.
In recognition, we wanted to explore how floating’s widespread impact on our minds and bodies can help us build a strong foundation for our mental health. Through helping us by managing our stress, alleviating our anxiety, and even bettering our sleep – floating can be a powerful ally on our journey to enhance our overall mental and emotional wellbeing.
Reducing Stress Hormones
One of the most significant and well-studied ways that floatation therapy supports mental health is by reducing stress. When we're under chronic stress, our bodies produce excess cortisol (a stress hormone) to help us cope with the perceived threat. However, in the modern world this “threat” is triggered by the fast paced and noise filled life we lead, meaning it’s essentially ever-present. This constant state of hyperarousal can lead to a range of negative effects on both physical and mental well-being.
Regular floating has been shown to regulate cortisol levels, leading to improved mood stability and reduced symptoms of anxiety. By reducing stress hormones, you'll find it easier to manage daily stressors and maintain a sense of calmness in the face of everyday stressors.
Bettering Sleep Hygiene
Floating affects our sleep, which can have lasting impacts on our day-to-day mental health. Firstly, floating helps to quiet the mind and relax the body by reducing sensory input to near zero, facilitating a deeply relaxed state similar to the one right before sleep. Additionally, floating increases the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for encouraging sleep and regulating our sleep cycles.
The resulting regular, restorative sleep can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, enhance cognitive functions, and improve emotional stability. It's during sleep that the brain processes emotional information from the day, consolidates memories, and rejuvenates itself for the next day. By enhancing our quality of sleep, floating contributes to these vital processes, helping to maintain and improve our mental well-being.
Increasing Self-Awareness
The quiet environment of a float tank is uniquely conducive to introspection and mindfulness. As you relax, your mind begins to quiet down – something all too rare in the busy and hyper-connected world we live in. This allows you to tune into your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations more clearly.
This increased self-awareness can be incredibly empowering, as it allows you to better understand yourself as well as any problems or issues you’re currently experiencing. This increase in understanding can lead to more intelligent and intentional choices about how you want to live your life. By cultivating this greater mindfulness through floating, you'll develop a deeper understanding of what brings you joy, what triggers stress or anxiety, and what steps you can take to improve your overall mental well-being.
Enhancing Emotional Regulation
Floating is also an opportunity to practice emotional regulation in a safe and controlled environment. By learning to manage your emotions while floating, you'll develop greater control over how you respond to stressors outside of the tank as well.
This enhanced emotional regulation can be incredibly valuable in managing mental health conditions like anxiety disorders or depression. By developing greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence through floating, you'll be better equipped to navigate life's challenges with resilience and adaptability.
Fostering Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills
Finally, the relaxed state induced by floatation therapy can stimulate creative thinking and enhance problem-solving abilities. When we're under stress or pressure, our minds tend to become rigid and inflexible – making it harder to think outside the box or come up with innovative solutions. By floating regularly, you'll find that your mind becomes more open and able to consider alternative ideas and perspectives. This can be incredibly valuable in both personal and professional settings, as it allows you to approach challenges from a fresh perspective and develop creative solutions to complex problems.
Integrating Floating with Other Therapeutic Practices
As a last note, while floating alone can offer significant benefits for mental wellness on its own, it can also work wonders in conjunction with other mental health practices. Many find floating an excellent complement to cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or mindfulness meditation practices. In the safe and comfortable environment of the float tank, the mind has a dedicated environment to better process and apply the techniques and lessons learned from these therapies, reinforcing and amplifying their benefits.
Embracing a Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health
This Mental Health Awareness Month, let us remind ourselves of the importance of comprehensive mental health care. Floating not only stands as a powerful method to alleviate stress, enhance mental clarity, and foster emotional resilience, but it also synergizes beautifully with other therapeutic modalities to form a holistic approach to mental wellness.
Whether you're looking to refine the skills learned in therapy or simply seeking a tranquil space to reset your mind, floating provides a unique environment to nurture your mental well-being.
Floating Through Stress: A Journey To Balance
For many in today's fast-paced world, stress seems inescapable. From looming work deadlines to responsibilities at home to the constant pings of digital distractions, our minds are in a perpetual state of overload. This relentless stress is more than just a temporary annoyance – it's a critical health issue.
Beyond simply making us feel overwhelmed, research continues to show that stress is a key factor in a wide variety of mental and physical ailments, ranging from anxiety and depression to heart disease and immune system dysfunction. Since stress doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, finding ways to combat and assuage the effects of stress on our lives becomes that much more necessary to finding a healthy, balanced life.
April is Stress Awareness Month, which aims to serve as a reminder to acknowledge the pervasive impacts of stress in our lives and remind us of the importance of managing stress effectively. In the quest for techniques to manage the flood of stress we encounter on a day-to-day basis, floating rises to the surface. Beyond offering a momentary respite from the pressures of the world, floating offers a scientifically backed route to profound stress relief and well-being.
Let’s dive into how stress affects our lives and health, and how floatation therapy can not only put a pause on stress, but actually start to undo some of the tolls stress has taken on our bodies and minds.
The Impact of Stress on Our Lives and Health
Stress, often termed as the 'silent killer,' infiltrates nearly every aspect of our lives, affecting our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. At its core, stress is the body's response to any demand or threat, triggering the 'fight or flight' reaction that prepares the body to act. While this response can be beneficial in short bursts, the problem arises when stress becomes chronic.
Mentally, chronic stress can manifest as anxiety, depression, and irritability, affecting our ability to think clearly and make decisions. It disrupts our sleep patterns and can lead to mental fatigue. Emotionally, it diminishes our capacity to manage our feelings and interact with others effectively, often leading to strained relationships and social withdrawal.
Physically, the impact of stress is equally daunting. It can cause or exacerbate conditions such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and immune system disorders. Chronic stress triggers continuous release of the hormone cortisol, which, over time, can lead to weight gain, memory impairment, and a decrease in bone density and muscle mass. It also heightens the risk of stroke and has even been linked to reproductive issues in both men and women.
Moreover, the constant state of alertness induced by stress can lead to adrenal fatigue, where the adrenal glands can no longer keep pace with the body's demand for cortisol, leading to burnout. This state of chronic stress and its accompanying symptoms create a vicious cycle, further entrenching the negative effects on our health and well-being.
How Floating Can Mitigate Stress
The benefits of floatation therapy are both immediate and cumulative, meaning it provides both a short-term stress release solution, and a potential path to long-term wellness.
Initially, floating serves an escape from the incessant demands of daily life, offering a sanctuary where the mind can pause and rejuvenate. By creating an environment that drastically reduces sensory input, floatation tanks facilitate a deep state of relaxation that can be nearly impossible to achieve in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
The buoyancy you experience during a float reduces the gravitational force on the body, allowing muscles and joints to release long-held tension and pain. The water is maintained at skin temperature, blurring the lines between the body and the surrounding water, further enhancing the sensation of sensory release, and leading to a deep meditative state.
This environment promotes a shift from the body's sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight response) which is active during stress, to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and recovery. This results in a decrease in cortisol levels and the balancing of the body's biochemical state, which can lead to significant acute reductions in stress and anxiety.
Moreover, the benefits of floating extend beyond the immediate post-float serenity. Individuals who integrate floating into their regular wellness routine often report sustained improvements in sleep quality, a reduction in chronic pain, and an enhanced ability to navigate daily stressors with ease and grace. Floating is not only a temporary escape but can actually foster a lasting change in how we interact with and perceive our world and the stressors within it. Over time, this can lead to a significant reversal of the negative health effects of chronic stress, offering a pathway to a healthier, more balanced life.
Ultimately, while stress is an inevitable part of modern life, that doesn't mean we have to live with the adverse effects on our health and well-being. Effective stress management strategies like floatation therapy can pause and even reverse the tolls of stress, offering a valuable tool in the quest for a healthier, more balanced existence.
Stress may be a constant, but so is the relief found in a float tank. This Stress Awareness Month, uncover the science behind floatation therapy and its calming effects. Read on in our newest blog post.
Enhancing Sleep Quality With Floating: Part 2
March 10th-16th is Sleep Awareness Week, a time to highlight the importance of good sleep health and explore ways to promote better sleep practices for a more energized and fulfilling life.
In recognition, we thought it would be an opportune moment to delve into how floatation therapy can be one of the more serene and effective approaches to improving your sleep.
How Does Floatation Therapy Impact Sleep?
For those already familiar with floating, you know the profound relaxation that envelops you. But the impact of floatation therapy on your sleep goes far beyond just this blissful feeling of tranquility. Floating has the ability to positively impact several crucial elements affecting the quality of your sleep.
The Slumber-Promoting Powers of Sensory Deprivation
At the core of the float experience is sensory deprivation - that cocooning elimination of external light, sound and tactile input. This is what allows your brain to release its grip on the outside world and turn inward, initiating processes that not only relax you in the moment but purposefully prepare your mind and body for sleep.
By reducing sensory stimulus, floating dials down your sympathetic "fight-or-flight" responses while giving your parasympathetic "rest-and-digest" functions full control. This pivotal shift naturally prompts the release of sleep-promoting neurotransmitters while stress hormones dissipate. Your sleep-wake cycles are effectively re-set, priming you for sustained, high-quality sleep.
A Sanctuary from Stress
Stress is a huge barrier to good sleep. It not only makes it difficult to fall asleep but can also affect the quality of sleep by causing frequent awakenings and lighter sleep stages. Floatation therapy offers a powerful countermeasure to stress by significantly reducing cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone, and promoting a state of deep relaxation. This reduction in stress not only helps in falling asleep more easily but also contributes to a deeper, more restful sleep.
Pain Relief for Better Sleep
For individuals suffering from chronic pain, achieving a good night's sleep can seem like an insurmountable challenge. The weightlessness provided by the buoyant saltwater in float tanks can offer profound relief from physical discomfort, particularly in the back and joints. This relief is not temporary; the effects can last for days after a session, providing a window of opportunity for better quality sleep by minimizing the pain that often disrupts sleep cycles.
Mental Health and Sleep Quality
Anxiety and depression are closely linked with sleep disturbances, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break. Floatation therapy offers a unique environment that promotes mental wellness by facilitating meditation and mindfulness, helping to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression. This mental clarity and calmness can make it easier to fall asleep and maintain a healthy sleep cycle, breaking the cycle of sleep disturbances exacerbated by mental health issues.
Resetting Your Circadian Rhythms
Our sleep-wake cycles are governed by our body's internal circadian rhythms. When these get disrupted by things like jet lag, irregular schedules or exposure to blue light screens before bed, it can really impact our sleep quality. Floatation therapy provides a natural way to "reset" these cycles.
The complete removal of external light and sound cues gives your body's clock a fresh slate, while the relaxation allows your circadian rhythms to resynchronize to their optimal patterns. Many find that a float helps their sleep patterns regulate after periods of disruption, getting them back on a healthy, consistent sleep schedule.
How to Make the Most of Floating’s Sleep Health Benefits
If you’re wanting to fully unlock the sleep-promoting powers of floatation therapy, take a look at these strategies to maximize the rejuvenating benefits:
Optimizing Session Timing
The timing of your floatation therapy sessions can significantly affect their impact on your sleep. For many, floating in the evening, a few hours before bedtime, helps prepare the mind and body for sleep, creating an ideal state of relaxation that leads seamlessly into a night of deep, restorative sleep. However, the optimal timing can vary based on individual circadian rhythms and schedules. Experimenting with different times of the day may help you identify when a float benefits you the most, aligning with your natural sleep-wake cycle for the greatest improvement in sleep quality.
Combining with Sleep Hygiene Practices
To maximize the sleep-enhancing effects of floatation therapy, consider integrating it with established sleep hygiene practices. Creating a pre-sleep routine that includes limiting exposure to screens and bright lights an hour before bed can further signal to your brain that it's time to wind down. Incorporating floatation therapy into your schedule as part of a broader commitment to good sleep hygiene—such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a comfortable, conducive sleep environment—can synergize the benefits, leading to even better sleep quality.
Stick With a Routine
Like any lifestyle adjustment, consistency is key when it comes to maximizing the sleep benefits of floating. While a single float can provide great sleep that night, establishing a routine sends stronger signals to your body about adopting new, healthier sleep patterns.
Aim to book floats at the same cadence - whether weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. And try to schedule them around the same time of day each session. This allows your circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles to become accustomed to the new normal of restorative sleep prompted by floating. Over time, you're more likely to develop lasting, high-quality sleep habits.
Embrace a Natural Path to Better Sleep
Floatation therapy takes a comprehensive, drug-free approach to improving sleep quality by relieving stress, minimizing pain, promoting mental wellness, and naturally balancing hormones.
This Sleep Awareness Week, we encourage you to explore how floating can transform your nights, leaving you energized and ready to embrace each new day. Invest in the luxury of deep, restorative sleep and an overall improved sense of well-being. Book your float session today and prepare to wake up to a new world of quality sleep.
70 Years Of Floating
This year marks 70 years since the world's first float tank was invented in 1954. What began as fringe experiments and personal exploration has transformed into a mainstream wellness activity embraced around the globe.
As we reflect on the decades past, we wanted to share how far floating has come as both an industry and as a recognized tool for bolstering wellness and performance. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of history worth delving into (far more than we can cover in this short blog post), but we’ll be covering the high level eras and milestones over 7 decades of float tanks.
The Early Years - 1950s to 1960s
The story of floating begins in 1954 when American neuroscientist and medical doctor John C. Lilly constructed the first isolation tank at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). At the time, the scientific world was fascinated by the mysteries of consciousness and perception. Many theories circulated about what would happen if you deprived the brain of external stimuli. Would it lead to sensory trauma? Psychosis or hallucinations?
Curious, and looking to investigate these theories more closely, Lilly modified a large, abandoned water tank at NIMH to house his first experiments. He constructed custom breathing masks to put minimal pressure on the skin, and maintained neutral sound and temperature by fully submerging the participant in skin temperature water. Conventional wisdom said that these conditions were very likely to be distressing. However, Lilly's experiences as his own first subject in the tank quickly disproved those notions.
Rather than any kind of trauma, he reported feeling a profound serenity and physical relaxation. The lack of distraction didn't derange his mind – it unlocked access to higher states of awareness unlike anything he'd known. His first prolonged floats suggested sensory isolation didn't inherently deprive the brain at all. In fact, it seemed like it might have the potential to make us more conscious, rather than less.
Buoyed by these revelations, Lilly continued improving the tank design over the 1950s and 60s. He focused on optimizing comfort, safety, and the body's floating experience. At NIMH, his colleague Dr. Jay Shurley also extensively studied himself and others in the tanks. Their work firmly established flotation's merits within the scientific community. Beyond those directly involved in the research, however, few were aware of these strange "sensory deprivation" devices.
Over the coming years this would change dramatically as word spread both about Dr. Lilly’s research and the remarkable states it could produce. In the late 60s, Lilly published Programming and Metaprogramming in the Human Biocomputer, which would become a cult-classic highlighting his early floatation experiments. He also started teaching workshops on floatation in California, and the stage was being set for an era where tanks would make the leap into the public realm.
Tanks Go Commercial - 1970s
By the 1970s, floating was still by no means mainstream, but it was starting to garner attention from certain circles and individuals. In 1972 Lilly met Glenn Perry, a talented engineer, at one of his floating workshops. Together, they worked to modify the basic design, developing an early version of the style that we still use in our center today (in which you lie on your back in a saturated epsom salt solution, rather than being fully submerged in a fresh water tank).
In 1973, along with Glenn’s wife Lee, they formed the first commercial float tank manufacturing company, Samadhi Tank Co., which is still producing tanks 50 years later. For the first time, regular folks could easily purchase and install these exotic devices in their homes.
Then, in 1979, Samadhi opened up the first commercial float center, which was located in Beverly Hills with 5 float tanks that customers could book time in. The business proved to be an immediate success, and between this and Samadhi’s manufacturing arm, the float industry had officially begun.
Rapid Growth - 1980s
In 1980, the movie Altered States was released, an underground classic which depicted actor William Hurt's character using a float tank for psychedelic experiments. That same year, the second float center opened in Hollywood, using the name Altered States and further drawing public awareness and curiosity.
Articles in major outlets like Rolling Stone explored this strange new practice. Within another year, another 5 centers had opened their doors, and that was just the beginning as more and more centers continued popping up in cities across North America to meet the growing demand.
The field also began attracting serious scientific interest. Researchers such as Tom Fine and Dr. John Turner studied floating's effects on everything from high blood pressure to athletic performance. Major universities were supplying their labs with dedicated float tanks for experiments, and for the first time rigorous evidence was collected on the many benefits of floating.
Conferences like those hosted by the Float Tank Association (FTA) and the International REST Investigators Society (IRIS) provided a hub to share ideas and new research. The evidence was clear – floating had significant impacts on both mind and body.
By the mid-1980s, there were commercial float centers worldwide. What had seemed like a fringe practice was transitioning into a legitimate health and wellness industry with proven benefits.
The Sudden Fall of Floating - Late 80s and 90s
Then the AIDS epidemic hit, and the rapid growth of floating came to an abrupt halt. The emerging AIDS crisis fueled public fears around use of communal water, even though floating itself was low risk.
Misinformation and panic surrounding AIDS caused the Western market for floating to collapse practically overnight. In just a few years, the vast majority of North American and European centers had shuttered.
For a practice that had been gaining so much momentum, it was a devastating setback that would require two decades to fully recover from. Even as the industry shrank in the West, though, pockets of passionate floaters kept the practice alive in other parts of the world.
In the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Nordic countries, strong floating communities persisted through the decline. Centers in these regions maintained their client bases and even saw some measured growth despite the crisis.
Research also quietly continued, in both the United States and abroad in countries like Sweden. As Western funding dried up through the 90s, it was these international labs that would end up laying the scientific groundwork for the future resurgence of floating.
Persistence and Growth - 2000s
The new millennium arrived, and floating in the Western world was limited to a small number of devotees keeping the practice alive, along with the very few commercial centers that were still active.
However, that was soon to change as new research continued to come out abroad and a very popular and very vocal Joe Rogan began regular endorsement of float tanks. In the late 2000s, for the first time in a long while, new commercial centers were beginning to open up, and new manufacturers were beginning to produce float tanks.
Resurgence - 2010s
Throughout the 2010s, the number of float tank centers in the United States grew from a couple dozen to hundreds. At the same time, technological improvements enhanced the experience with advanced filtration systems and more refined tank designs and, as floating went mass market, even more manufacturers entered the industry.
Float research (much of which we’ve covered in previous blog posts) began to receive funding and attention again, and some of the most advanced floatation therapy labs were constructed, such as the Float Lab at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR). With more funding and participants than ever before, the research during these recent years has demonstrated the benefits of floating, both mental and physical, time and time again.
More celebrity endorsements also began rolling in from professional athletes, and floating got prominent screen time in popular shows like Stranger Things and The Big Bang Theory. By the mid 2010s, what had begun decades prior as a peculiar science experiment had blossomed into a thriving global wellness movement.
What Does The Future Hold?
It's incredible to reflect on how far floating has come since those earliest days at NIMH. One thing is certain – the future still holds boundless potential. As more and more people discover floating for themselves, there are surely innovations, applications, and discoveries that will continue to be uncovered.
Just as we celebrate all of those that came before us in helping to build this salty industry, we also look ahead to the future with great anticipation.
Elevating Your Aspirations With Floatation
We all have goals we want to achieve, whether it’s pushing our physical limits, developing new skills, advancing in our careers, or establishing healthier lifestyle habits. No matter how dedicated you are, the pursuit of these personal and professional objectives can sometimes feel like an uphill climb.
Finding the right support and tools is crucial for turning these aspirations into reality. At our float center, we've observed how floatation therapy not only complements but also enhances these endeavors, offering a unique space for physical rest and mental clarity that's essential for achieving whatever diverse goals you might have set your sights on.
One key area where floating makes a significant impact is in physical well-being. For athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or anyone with physical objectives in mind, the benefits of float therapy are invaluable. Research shows that floating helps with performance, with physical recovery and injury prevention, and perhaps most importantly, with maintaining both a positive attitude and the motivation to keep at your goals.
These benefits extend far beyond the realms of athletics and fitness. People turn to float therapy for many physical reasons, including recovery from car accidents, management of rheumatoid arthritis, and alleviation of acute and chronic tension. Apart from the benefits of physical relief from pain, finding the mental strength necessary to keep moving towards improvement and a better life is integral to making progress. And this is true whether you’re at peak fitness, struggling to get back to a healthy equilibrium, and everything in between.
Floating also helps with aspirations in other domains, like learning and skill acquisition. In the tranquil environment inside our float tanks, free from external stimuli, the mind is able to review information and visualize activities with no distractions. It’s this lack of distraction that is often credited with the heightened focus, creativity, and concentration that floating provides.
Whether trying to learn a new language, train in music theory, polish public speaking abilities, or improve your golf swing, floating is a wonderful tool to amplify your results. Studies confirm flotation therapy’s positive effects on concentration, creativity, accelerated learning, and information retention (and golf swing, for that matter).
Furthermore, the relaxation and mental clarity afforded by floatation are conducive to deeper cognitive processing and understanding. Clients often describe a sense of mental rejuvenation following a float session, a state where complex concepts become more graspable and learning feels more intuitive. This mental clarity not only aids in the acquisition of new skills but also fosters a more profound and lasting understanding of them. It's a transformative experience that is able to turn the often daunting task of learning into an enjoyable and fulfilling journey.
Extending these benefits to something as serious as a career, it’s easy to see the overlap – innovation and problem-solving are invaluable skills. Floatation therapy, with its unique ability to enhance mental clarity and creativity, serves as an unexpected yet potent tool in the professional arena. The sensory-restricted environment of the float tank encourages a kind of mental expansiveness, where new ideas and creative solutions can emerge unimpeded by the usual barrage of daily stimuli.
Beyond sparking creativity, floatation is also a powerful ally in stress management. The tranquility achieved during floatation sessions offers a mental reset, invaluable for maintaining focus and motivation in high-pressure work environments. Regular floating can help mitigate the effects of job-related stress and anxiety, which runs rampant in modern culture. This not only contributes to immediate job performance but also supports long-term career goals by preventing burnout and promoting a healthier work-life balance.
Any kind of personal growth often requires us to reevaluate and change our habits, a process that can be both challenging and rewarding. Floatation therapy offers a unique environment for introspection, facilitating a deeper understanding of one’s thoughts, behaviors, and patterns. This introspective quality is pivotal in identifying and modifying ingrained habits. Whether it's adopting healthier lifestyle choices or breaking other less desirable habits, floating can lay the groundwork for these transformative changes.
From bolstering physical health to nurturing mental acuity and supporting personal transformation, floatation therapy is a versatile and powerful ally in the pursuit of a wide range of life goals. Whether you’re setting new objectives or striving to maintain your current goals, floatation can play a pivotal role in your success. Reach out to us to book your next session, and take a step towards achieving your goals, whatever they be.
Buoyant Benefits - Mental And Physical Recovery In Athletics
When we think of sports athletes, we often think of their success in terms of things like physical ability, performance under pressure, and in-game strategy. However, much of the brilliance and outstanding success that we see from top athletes is built on the less flashy foundation of practice, conditioning, diet, and recovery. Building on our article from last month about Dr. Matt Driller’s work around floating and sports, we’d like to take a look at some other research being done by Dr. Lydia Caldwell out of Ohio State University (now at University of North Texas).
Float tanks have become increasingly popular in recent years, with professional athletes and weekend warriors alike using them as a tool for both mental and physical recovery. Dr. Caldwell has been working with float tanks for years now, and presented at both the 2017 and the 2021 Float Conference. She has worked with both special forces military and with top performing athletes to increase their performance, and has incorporated float tanks into her research and protocols for both.
At the 2017 Float Conference, Dr. Caldwell presented on her own introduction to float tanks and their contributions to performance through both increased recovery, decreased fatigue, and improvements to mood. At that time, she was just beginning to work with the University of Ohio, and in 2021 she returned to the conference stage to present the findings from the float tanks that they installed there.
In her first study at the University of Ohio, Dr. Caldwell brought in 14 trained individuals who had never floated before. Each person floated for a 60 minute floatation session, and they had their mood and stress hormone levels assessed before and after the session. The results were overwhelmingly positive – floatation significantly reduced levels of the stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Participants also reported improvements in mood, including decreased tension and negative emotions.
This means that both from their own perspective, and on a base physiological level, these athletes were experiencing less stress after their float sessions. This reduction in stress was both physical and mental, and came along with a host of other side benefits and seemingly no negative effects (or contraindications).
Dr. Caldwell’s findings also highlighted the importance of acclimating to the experience, and not giving up after one session. Many participants took 10-15 minutes to truly relax and benefit from the experience, going through an initial period of discomfort and apprehension, before becoming more familiar with the float tank environment.
In her second study, Dr. Caldwell looked specifically at recovery after an intense resistance training workout. She brought in 12 experienced weightlifters to test how floating affected their ability to recover from a grueling lower body workout. This time she gave all of the participants 2 float sessions before the study, so that they were all familiar with the experience and wouldn’t experience any anxiety from going into a strange new environment.
The participants did an intensive squat session designed to induce soreness and muscle damage, and then either floated or watched calming nature videos in a recliner for 60 minutes. This program was very extensive, and they brought the athletes back into the lab to run more tests after 24 and 48 hours. They even went as far as controlling food intake prior to the study, and having each participant complete both recovery conditions.
The results were notable, and helped to define more clearly the things that floatation therapy helps out with in terms of physical strain and recovery:
The float group reported significantly less muscle soreness at 1, 24, and 48 hours after exercise compared to the control.
Floating also improved mood, fatigue, and pain sensations during the 48 hour recovery period.
However, floating did not seem to have any effect on metabolic recovery – both groups recovered blood lactate levels within the hour.
There was also no difference in muscle damage markers like creatine kinase levels or changes in muscle performance between the float and control groups.
While floating didn’t speed up actual muscle repair, it did make the participants feel subjectively better as they recovered from their strenuous workout. This is likely due to the profound relaxation and pain relief induced by the floatation experience.
As a result of these studies, Dr. Caldwell theorizes that float tanks may be best used as a chronic recovery tool throughout a training season, rather than just acutely before competitions. As with so many of these pioneering studies, more research is still needed to clarify the ideal timing and frequency of floating for exercise recovery.
Dr. Caldwell makes sure to point out that taking care of mental health is just as important as physical recovery in sports performance. If float tanks help athletes feel rejuvenated and better able to cope with their rigorous training demands, that benefit alone makes them a worthwhile recovery modality to consider.
And that goes for everyone, not just the professional athletes among us. Although performance is the goal, it’s all of the invisible work that is done on the sidelines that allows for brilliant highlight reels and competitive wins. Float tanks aren’t just a tool for physical recovery, they are a practice that allows us to maintain good moods, to cultivate a more resilient attitude, and ultimately to be more likely to achieve the goals that we’ve set for ourselves.
Rapid Recovery - Floatation Therapy For Elite Athletes
As research on floating continues to mature and push into the mainstream, it has more and more evidence to back up its benefits. Many pro athletes are regularly jumping into tanks these days, and at the 2019 Float Conference, leading sports scientist Dr. Matt Driller presented emerging research on how float tanks can aid athletic recovery and performance. The results are quite exciting.
Dr. Driller hails from New Zealand and has studied elite athlete recovery for over a decade. His homeland prides itself on punching above its weight in sports, in spite of its tiny population. With limited top talent, New Zealand obsesses over getting every possible edge when it comes to preventing injuries from overtraining.
“Recovery fundamentals like sleep, nutrition and periodization come first,” Driller explains. “But at the highest levels, those extra ‘one percenters’ can mean the difference between gold and going home empty-handed.” This led Driller to begin scientifically investigating if float tanks could provide that marginal gain which could make or break a champion.
In 2016, Driller published his first study on how floating impacts athletes. He looked at 60 members of Australia’s Olympic team (who already floated regularly before the study began).
Measuring their mood, soreness and stress markers before and after one 60-minute float, the results were striking. Significant improvements appeared across 15 out of 16 mood factors. Athletes reported feeling less worn out, less tired, more relaxed, and less tense after getting their float on. Muscle soreness also decreased substantially.
Here’s where it gets really interesting – athletes who actually fell asleep during the float saw the biggest mood enhancements. This suggests that combining floating with napping may supercharge benefits.
Despite intriguing initial findings, Driller is the first to admit this study had limitations. The sample size was small and it examined only psychological effects, not physical performance metrics. Still, it remains heavily cited in the media on floating simply because so little other research exists.
To address these gaps, Driller’s team completed a more thorough trial on 20 elite team sport athletes.
Researchers brought athletes into the lab for an intense late-night workout mimicking the strain from competition. Afterwards, athletes either did a 60-minute float or relaxed in a recliner as a control recovery. Measures of soreness, sleep quality, strength, power and speed were tracked both immediately after and the next morning.
The findings demonstrate clear physical benefits from floating in the participants. Compared to just resting, float recovery resulted in:
Higher quality sleep with less wakefulness.
Up to 24 hours less muscle soreness.
Increased pressure pain threshold the next day.
Faster sprint times 12 hours later.
More power output on vertical jumps the next morning.
As Driller summarizes, “Less pain means quicker readiness to train again. Better sleep equals better restoration. Maintaining speed and explosiveness is huge for back-to-back competitions.”
This compelling data reveals that floating may confer real performance advantages for elite athletes.
However, Driller emphasizes that research is still in its early stages. “We need more work to unpack why and how floating provides these benefits,” he says. Some questions he is exploring next include:
What happens with regular floating twice weekly over many weeks? Do effects accumulate?
How does floating right before and after competition impact performance and recovery?
Can detailed sleep studies reveal changes to sleep stages and quality?
How do effects compare to techniques like cold water immersion, compression, massage, and others?
Answers here will refine best practices on using float pods (alongside other modalities) for performance, especially in regards to recovery.
According to Driller, “It’s an exciting time to be a float researcher! Elite sports will continue pushing boundaries.” He looks forward to getting more controlled data to inform athletic and public use, rather than relying solely on studies with small sample sizes and anecdotal reports.
Curious to test out floating yourself?
“Give it a try – you might be surprised how profound silent floating can be, both mentally and physically,” Driller advises. Based on the results from these ongoing scientific explorations, float tanks may well provide that extra edge to elevate your own performance to the next level.
Beyond Floating: Unveiling the Power of Darkness
Stepping away from the familiar tranquility of our beloved float tanks, today we’ll survey another intriguing realm of sensory exploration. Imagine a therapy that, like floatation therapy, employs silence and solitude, but rather than the gentle touch of water, uses the enveloping cloak of total darkness to create a deeply introspective journey. A therapy that, instead of lasting 60-90 minutes like a typical float session, lasts for 3-7 days or more. Intrigued? Welcome to the immersive world of Darkness Therapy!
Helping to guide us through this intriguing world is Dr. Marek Maluš, an expert in Darkness Therapy doing his work and research out of the Czech Republic. Marek shared the history of Darkness Therapy, along with some of his insights and experimental results, in his 2015 Float Conference talk, and returned again for another conference talk in 2021 to elaborate and update us on his findings. Let’s step out of the light for a moment and immerse ourselves in the soothing realm of the unseen as we explore the genesis, evolution, and surprising benefits of Darkness Therapy.
Lights Out: The History of Darkness Therapy
Darkness has always held a certain mystery. Long before the advent of scientific understanding or the idea of "Darkness Therapy", spending time in darkness or seclusion was not an uncommon practice. In many ancient cultures, spending time in complete darkness was seen as a spiritual journey, a voyage inward.
Indian yogic traditions speak of darkness meditation, while some Buddhist monks have retreated into pitch-black caves for enlightenment. Ancient Egyptians recognized the power of darkness, seeming to make use of it in many of their mystical practices, as did certain Native American tribes.
Just as modern floatation therapy taps into sensory deprivation to awaken the mind's potential, these historic practices recognized that darkness had the power to reset, refresh, and renew the mind.
Darkness Therapy: From Caves to Chambers
Fast forward to the 1950s, where the roots of modern Darkness Therapy can be traced back to a practice known as REST or Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy. Before official research was ever published on Floatation Therapy (also known in the early days as Floatation REST / Wet REST), researchers were running experiments on reducing as much sensory input as possible in a regular room with a bed, developing what would come to be known as dry REST (or chamber REST).
Separate from this, but even more closely related to current Darkness Therapy, in the 1960s, the anthropologist Holger Kalweit introduced Dunkeltherapie (literally “Dark Therapy”) to Germany after taking part in a Tibetan tradition involving a 7 week long stay in a dark chamber. This can be considered the beginning of modern Darkness Therapy.
From here we continue our journey in the Czech Republic, where in 2006 the first Darkness Therapy chambers were introduced, and where it continues to thrive. In these, participants would spend between 3-7 days (or sometimes longer) in total darkness. By 2015, there were 15 providers of Darkness Therapy in the Czech Republic with between 1-3 chambers each, along with a few more in the neighboring country of Slovakia.
Shedding Light on Darkness
Let’s explore what these darkness retreats look like, and how they function. In his presentations, Dr. Maluš introduces two types of darkness therapy facilities, referred to as Type I and Type II, and all of these images belong to Dr. Maluš, from his presentations.
Type I facilities are larger and more comprehensive, often operated under medical supervision. These facilities offer a comfortable environment with amenities such as a shower, air conditioning, a bed, and even exercise devices. The highlight of this type is the provision of daily psychological sessions in complete darkness – a guide therapist comes to check in guests once a day, reviewing your needs and providing psychological assistance. It's a full-service experience, giving the participant both the environment and professional support to navigate their journey in the dark.
Type II facilities are simpler, more commonplace facilities and can often be found in more remote, rural locations. They offer a simpler setup compared to Type I, but still contain all the necessary amenities such as a toilet, shower, sink, and even a bidet for added convenience. You might have a CD or MP3 player for audio entertainment, but for Marek's studies, these are usually not permitted. Fresh fruits and food are delivered daily, and even during the deliveries the total darkness is maintained.
Staying at one of these is a little bit like a space mission, but you stay right here on Earth, taking a deep, restorative plunge into your own mind.
What's Next? More Research, More Understanding
There is very little official research done into Darkness Therapy (as opposed to floatation therapy, or even chamber REST). Dr. Marek Maluš shared results from several surveys and informal studies conducted in the last decade in the Czech Republic, all of which showed great promise. Despite its intriguing premise, historical significance, and strong praise from customers, Darkness Therapy has yet to gain funding for research on the same scale that floatation therapy has (which is still on a much, much smaller scale than, for example, pharmaceutical studies).
It has yet to enter popular culture in the same way, and it's also not nearly as widely accessible as floatation therapy yet. This is in no small part due to both the complexity of setting up the right environment and the unique and long-term commitment it requires from the participants.
Floating and Darkness Therapy: Cousins in Darkness
We hope this peek into the world of darkness therapy has piqued your curiosity! While we might not have Darkness Therapy available at our center yet, we're dedicated to providing you with the best darkness you can possibly find in our very own float tanks.
And let us know if you ever want to float longer than our standard sessions. Three or four hours isn’t quite the same as seven days in a chamber, but who knows? You might discover a whole new layer to your float practice.
Until next time, keep floating, keep exploring, and remember – whether in the stillness of a float tank, the quiet of a darkness chamber, or just lying in your bed at night – great things often come from taking a moment to rest, reset, and just breathe.
Floating For A Stronger Immune System
Stress and anxiety are all too common in today's fast-paced world. As a result, we're continuously seeking ways to unwind, destress, and ultimately, support our overall well-being. Floatation therapy, also known as sensory deprivation or float therapy, has been gaining in popularity over the last decade for its unique ability to provide deep relaxation and stress relief. But did you know that floating may also have potential benefits for your immune system?
In this blog post, we’ll be revisiting a presentation by Dr. Flux from the 2021 Float Conference, which looks at the science behind floatation therapy and its connection to immune health. This builds on Flux’s presentation from the 2018 Float Conference, with some new science and food for thought.
The Old Friends Hypothesis
To understand how floatation therapy may impact the immune system, it's essential to first delve into the "Old Friends Hypothesis." This hypothesis posits that our modern, sanitized environments have deprived us of essential microorganisms that once played a crucial role in regulating our immune systems.
Our adaptive immune system has grown with us through the thousands and thousands of years, and as we encountered new climates and new places to settle, we became introduced to new bacteria, many of which lived in and around the soil. These bacteria (our “Old Friends”) began to live with us, keeping us safe from other, more harmful microorganisms.
Over the years though, we have moved away from nature and into cities, changing our diet away from natural, whole foods. Doing so removed many of these microbes from our immune system, potentially throwing it out of balance. As a result, we may be more susceptible to inflammatory disorders, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, floating helps to support our immune system, which is crucial in our ongoing battle against these modern-day health challenges.
Reducing Stress and Enhancing Immune Function
Floatation therapy has been shown to induce a state of deep relaxation, which in turn helps to reduce stress and anxiety. This is significant, as chronic stress has been linked to a weakened immune system. When we're stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that can suppress immune function. By reducing cortisol levels, float therapy helps to support a healthier immune system.
In addition to lowering cortisol levels, floating may also decrease circulating metabolites of sympathetic nervous system hormones, like adrenaline and noradrenaline. This reduction, along with enhancing parasympathetic activity (our "rest and digest" system), points to the ability of floatation therapy to promote immunoregulation, which is a vital aspect of a healthy immune system.
Reducing Inflammation and Supporting Immune Health
Studies have shown that floating may help reduce inflammatory symptoms associated with specific disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. While more research is needed, these findings indicate that by reducing inflammation floating likely has a direct effect on the immune system.
An intriguing study conducted at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research discovered that floating decreased a pro-inflammatory marker called IL-1 alpha in participants with high anxiety sensitivity. This result directly backs up the idea that floating helps with inflammation, and by extension our immune systems.
The Future of Floatation Therapy Research
Dr. Flux, like all good scientists, ends his presentation by looking forward towards future research. The relationship between floatation therapy and immune health is still being explored. Future research aims to examine the impact of regular float sessions on immunoreactivity. As more studies are conducted, we’ll continue to increase our understanding of how floatation therapy supports immune health, particularly in individuals with anxiety or inflammatory conditions. Our Old Friends may not be replaced from the tanks, but the salty waters can help calm our immune system in this stress filled world.
Float Your Way to Better Health
Floating is a soothing experience that helps to reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, and (most importantly for this article) support your immune system. So why not treat yourself to a float session and experience the benefits firsthand? Not only will you be giving yourself a well-deserved break from the stressors of everyday life, but you’ll be helping your immune system stay strong and healthy.
The Science Of Floating And Mystical Experiences
The ideas of altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences, and voluntary self-isolation often bring with them images of shamans, spaced-out hippies, geometric art, and vibrant colors, as exaggerated stories and tales of these experiences get passed around. Along with these come equally exaggerated horror stories of being out of control, or seeing demons and messages from gods. Many people choose to stay clear of these potentially mind-bending scenarios that could lead them to having their worldview challenged in some unknown and uncontrollable way.
These misconceptions are reinforced through movies and TV shows. When float tanks make an appearance, they are often shown portraying people emerging from the tanks having a full-on-psychedelic-hallucination, or having gone mad from being alone for too long. They also tend to portray floaters having a spiritual experience in what looks like a drug-induced state, giving the often no-so-subtle implication that drugs are needed to achieve these states. Stories passed on through friends-of-friends often lead to misremembered details with an extra emphasis on the “wild” parts that then skew the view of the experience.
As many who have emerged from the tank can attest, it is often a much more dreamy, ethereal, and calming environment than is typically conveyed on screen. In the tranquility of the float tank, the mind chooses to slow down and relax instead of going into panic mode. While the environment of the tank can be foreign at the beginning, that feeling fades as the warm water becomes more welcoming, and the dark closed-off environment expands in the vastness, feeling more open than it appears. Although this is quite different from an automatic and uncontrollable plunge into a psychedelic-like state, the experience is still profound and impactful, and offers many benefits that do not require an intense experience to receive, such as anxiety reduction and body pain relief.
So, what exactly are mystical experiences and altered states of consciousness? And how do they relate to the floatation experience? With all the differing tales being told, defining these experiences can be very murky. We have documentation of early mystical experiences and traditions for at least as long as people began to settle and transition from a nomadic life. Many of these seem to stem from ancient religions, with mystic sects searching for methods to connect in a more spiritual way with gods and spirits.
Cultures from all corners of the earth have practiced ceremonies to achieve these states. These experiences have been described by philosopher and religious scholar Alan Watts as growing the understanding that all beings are connected as one with the world around them. This common theme of finding a unity between all life is well-documented across many who have had mystical experiences, both historically and in modern studies.
Another common theme of mystical experiences is the concept of ego-death: feeling your identity dissolve as a deep connection to all around you takes over. A mystical experience is often accompanied by many forms of altered states, such as feeling your sensations differently, having heightened perceptions, or having different thought patterns. It’s worth noting again that these altered states can be experienced in a variety of ways and through a variety of practices – a full blown psychedelic experience is not required!
In fact, people experience altered states everyday without the use of drugs, religious ceremonies, or even float tanks. At its most basic, an altered state is simply a different state of awareness than your normal day-to-day wakeful state. Yoga and other forms of exercise, for example, can alter your physiology, giving rise to heightened senses and a feeling of euphoria. Various meditation practices and breathing techniques can make one deeply relaxed and calmed, leading to a dreamy state of consciousness.
Finding the language to express and describe these otherworldly and dream-like experiences is often difficult, but that hasn’t stopped scientists from developing tests and scales to try to define these altered states. One such method, the Hood Mystical Experience Scale, was developed in the late 1970s and looks at 8 categories of mysticism (Ego Quality, Unifying Quality, Inner-subjective Quality, Temporal/Spatial Quality, Noetic Quality, Ineffability, Positive Effect, and Religious Quality). The scale was created by Dr. Ralph Hood, Jr. in an attempt to assess the frequency, intensity, and meaningfulness of mystical experiences, and it has been used in many areas of research since its development… including float tanks.
In Sweden, Dr. Anette Kjellgren has been conducting research on floatation and mystical experiences since 2008. Along with tests to determine the presence and strength of mystical experiences in the tank, Dr. Kjellgren and team looked at how other variables impacted and interacted with these altered states. One of their most notable findings was in the differences between people with different levels of sensitivity to external stimuli (as determined by the Highly Sensitive Personality Scale).
This study followed university students, with each completing two floats. The team was able to find that those with higher-sensitivity had a greater rate of both altered states of consciousness and mystical experiences. The highly-sensitive people rated their float experience higher on the Mystical Experience Scale in six out of 8 subcategories:
Ego Quality
Unifying Quality
Noetic Quality (an experience giving new understanding)
Inner-Subjective Quality
Religious Quality
Temporal/Spatial Quality
In other words, the more that people are sensitive to external stimuli in their day-to-day lives, the more likely they were to rate their experience floating as more mystical and “altered.” This study is possibly the first to find a correlation between personality traits and the relation to altered states and mystical experiences.
The definitive reason for the increased intensity of these experiences in the highly-sensitive group when floating needs further exploration. There is data suggesting it could be related to the healing that goes on inside of the tank, both physiologically and psychologically, leading to more inner growth and developments. Future studies will need to be done to explore this relationship more deeply and build on these results.
While not every float will lead to a mystical experience, there are still many other benefits to be had, even just in the realm of experiencing different states both in and out of the tank. Floatation practitioners often enter a relaxed state, feeling like we just woke up from a dream, and once welcomed back into the world, our senses burst to life as information comes flowing in. A new look on the world is common both during and after a float, as our mind quiets and looks for new ways to experience the environment through the lack of sensation. Even without a profound mystical experience, all of this can lead to new thoughts and ideas, giving a more peaceful view, and different outlook, on the world.
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Float Research Citations
Do Highly Sensitive Persons Experience More Nonordinary States Of Consciousness During Sensory Isolation?
Altered States of Consciousness and Mystical Experiences during Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tank: Is the Highly Sensitive Personality Variable of Importance?
Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-Being
Altered consciousness in flotation-REST and chamber-REST: Experience of experimental pain and subjective stress
Other Citations
Classic Hallucinogens and Mystical Experiences: Phenomenology and Neural Correlates
A Channel for Magic: Ralph Hood’s Mysticism Scale and the Occult Roots of the Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Research Program
The God Mysticism Scale: a Brief Version
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11089-018-0856-7
Healing Altered States of Consciousness
Altered States of Consciousness
https://hraf.yale.edu/ehc/summaries/altered-states-of-consciousness
50 Years Of Commercial Floating
In 1954, a young medical doctor and neuroscientist, John C. Lilly, donned a breathing mask and took the first descending steps into a large, fresh-water tank designed to cut out as much light, noise, and general sensation as possible. From that first iteration, it would be 19 years before floatation therapy was offered generally to the public, thanks to the work of Dr. Lilly, along with Glenn and Lee Perry.
Glenn Perry, an engineer by trade, had his first float in 1972 at a workshop hosted by Lilly. An ordinarily extremely shy Glenn emerged from the tank in a new state of consciousness, one that “broke him from a spell,” allowing him to speak freely in front of a group of strangers (which would have terrified him under normal circumstances). After the week-long workshop, Glenn knew that he needed to have his own personal tank, so he set out to craft one. Along the way, he decided to pursue designing floatation tanks for others as well, thinking that if his own time floating could be so beneficial to him, that surely it would be useful for others as well.
Glenn immediately began designing new prototypes, experimenting with construction materials from plywood to fiberglass to cardboard. It was in one of these early tanks that Lee had her first float, as part of an isolation tank research project. After meeting and falling in love, the two set out to bring floating to as many people as possible. They began the Samadhi Tank Co., a name given to them by John Lilly. By 1973, all the basic features of current float tanks were in place: a shallow, temperature controlled pool of water, saturated with magnesium sulfate, that you would lay down in.
50 years ago, Glenn and Lee began hosting the first commercial float sessions out of their house, trying to get the word of floating out to anyone who would listen. Glenn worked on tank design while Lee worked with the floaters, learning how to introduce them to floating, how to prepare them for the float without any “pre-programming,” and how to welcome them back to the physical world after their session. With each floater, they expanded their knowledge and introduced more and more people to the buoyant practice. This was the beginning of the commercial float world.
1979 saw the first large scale commercial float center, a five tank center in Beverly Hills run by the Perrys. Their new space, and practice, was a hit, and floating began to captivate the citizens and celebrities of LA. All the while, more and more tanks were being sold and shipped across the globe and within a couple years, half a dozen more commercial float centers had opened up. Samadhi Tank Co. even started an ambitious 20 tank center in San Francisco that doubled as a sales floor for their manufacturing.
By the mid 80’s more and more people were reaching out to Glenn and Lee, curious about opening their own float centers. The Perrys began to share the knowledge that they learned from their own experiences, generously assisting and welcoming newcomers into the burgeoning industry. The Float Tank Association (FTA), a nonprofit dedicated to serving the float world, began in 1983 with Glenn and Lee Perry, as well as John Lilly, serving on the board. The FTA began to hold conferences and events centered around floatation, which included both the commercial industry, as well as the latest research being conducted.
The FTA, along with its sister organization, the International R.E.S.T. Investigators’ Society (IRIS), nurtured the float industry and helped it to break even further into the mainstream. Celebrities like Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, and Michael Crichton were using the tanks and talking about them publicly. Sadly, with the general public not fully understanding the transmission of AIDS, float centers all over took a gigantic hit when the AIDS epidemic and media frenzy took hold. By the early 90s, most float centers around the United States had shut their doors, citing poor income and attendance due to HIV/AIDS as the primary reason.
Thankfully, this wasn’t the final chapter for commercial floating. Internationally, floating rebounded more quickly than it did in the US, and new float centers and tank manufacturers popped up in Italy, the UK, Sweden, and Germany. Still, through the 1990s and most of the early 2000s, the float industry remained incredibly small, with relatively little development or mass awareness.
It wasn’t until around 2009 that the industry began to pick up again. Media attention picked up, and Joe Rogan especially was very vocal about floating and its benefits on his popular podcast. Between 2010 and 2016, hundreds of new float centers had opened up in the United States alone, with Canada and Australia following similar trends. New floatation specific research labs were constructed, and an annual float conference started up with hundreds of attendees from around the globe.
Today, there is at least one float center in essentially every major city in an English speaking country. You can also find float centers in most countries throughout Europe, as well as various other hot spots across the globe. Top sports stars – like Steph Curry and Tom Brady – give high praise to the tank, encouraging other athletes of all levels to give it a try. References in popular culture have ranged from The Simpsons, to Big Bang Theory, to Stranger Things, to Cobra Kai, and beyond. Floating now has greater awareness and availability than has ever existed in its past.
Since those early days of being fully submerged in laboratory water tanks, and going on private retreats with John Lilly, the world of floating has gone through its trials and tribulations. Through it all, however, the industry has retained its core value: sharing floating with as many people as possible in the hope of changing the world, as Dr. Lilly put it.
The Benefits Of Doing Nothing
The concept of taking time away from obligations to relax and recoup is so foreign in our society that the idea is often met with confused looks; people live in a constant state of motion, often bouncing from task to task with no time to stop, breathe, and enjoy the moment. In society’s eyes, relaxing and doing nothing means wasting time… and wasting time means losing out on both money and opportunities.
The guilt that many of us feel for not being productive at all times is something we’re taught when we’re young, whether intentionally or not, and it gets carried with us as we age. This can lead to a cycle where we feel that we need to be going at all times, even when our mental and physical capacities are out of gas. We dig ourselves deeper and deeper into exhaustion trying to make the best use of our productivity each day, inevitably leading to symptoms of burnout, which are often ignored for as long as possible.
Learning to take a step back and let your mind and body recover is a valuable skill that can keep yourself afloat while battling the regular stresses of life. Taking time out to rest offers a whole slew of benefits: a boost in energy, increased creativity, time to process the new things you’ve learned, and much more. The problem, though, is that despite how simple resting is, not everyone actually knows how to do it properly.
Sitting down to scroll social media with TV on in the background might feel like we’re resting, but in actuality our brains are still fully engaged trying to concentrate and process all of the information we’re being confronted with. Our bodies can be relaxed, yet our minds stay on. Instead of staying active by scrolling and channel-hopping during the majority of our downtime, making time to consciously do as little as possible is surprisingly effective – by taking the time to slow your day down, you can let your brain get a reset, which in turn has been shown to reduce stress, boost creativity, and (almost counterintuitively) increase your overall productivity.
Many of these ideas and ideals are embraced by the slow living movement, and incorporating them into your own life can actually be accomplished quite easily. This includes things as simple as waking up a few minutes earlier so that you have time to sit and enjoy your tea or coffee, or taking a little extra time in the shower to enjoy the feeling of the water warming your body, rather than setting an alarm that gives you as little time as possible before you rush out the door. Likewise, going for an afternoon walk to get some fresh air, instead of relentlessly pushing through your to-do list, can refresh your entire system, leaving you rejuvenated when you return to work.
Being more mindful and taking longer to do tasks like this allow the mind a chance to wander and daydream. This wandering mind provides a break from the flow of the day, allowing a focus on bodily maintenance, as well as time working through ideas and problems without distractions. Letting the mind wander can help increase bodily-awareness, possibly helping us notice when we need breaks sooner as we are more in touch with our body's stress signals. These moments of idle wandering can even be the spark for a Eureka-level thought, as the brain is relaxed and can come up with unique ideas or solutions to problems without being stressed and forced to do so.
Finding the time to rest can be more difficult than it should be, particularly when it comes to escaping the grasp of technology and industry. The mental tether that attaches us to our phones is strong; all types of notifications could go off at any moment, taking us away from any chance of rest. Many of us live on-call (whether it be for work, family, or both) and it becomes increasingly difficult for us to be on silent mode. Those who live in cities or near industrial facilities hardly ever catch a break from the noise that seems to constantly hum from the surroundings. Freeways, railroads, and airports keep an ever flowing level of noise coming in at all times of day. This causes a deep level of stress as we can never fully relax, there is always something (sometimes subconsciously) bringing us back to the outside world.
Since so many people become used to never having the chance to rest, they go about their day never looking to make time for it, and they suffer the consequences. Resting won’t happen unless you make room for it, and starting by carving out even 30 minutes a day to rest can begin to do wonders for your stress levels and mental health (which is not to say that longer isn’t even better).
Unsurprisingly, floatation therapy is one of the best forms of rest that you can get. Removing all the chaotic, outside stimulus from the world gives us a truly unique and wonderful opportunity to let go both physically and mentally. The type of relaxation you get in the tank is unlike anything else: the sense of zero-gravity allows the muscles to release tension to the fullest, your joints can loosen and get a deep relaxation without any forces weighing them down, and your mind gets a break from the outside world and enters a calmed state as the body slows down and the parasympathetic nervous system takes over. Our heart rate slows down, and blood pressure is able to follow suit. Cortisol levels drop while dopamine levels increase. It is a stress-free environment where there is nothing keeping us on high alert.
Our mind is clear and free of clutter for once, allowing us to focus more intently on one thing at a time, instead of being flooded with thoughts like usual. The creative side of the brain opens up and many report being in a dream-like state, creating a rich opportunity for new ideas to flow. This boost of creative energy can even continue outside of the tank, with heightened senses when returning to the world as colors are more vivid, sounds of nature and music become more enjoyable, and delicious food tastes even better. We experience the world around us through different lenses, providing a chance to be fully and stress-free for a change.
By taking time to rest, we give our body and, more importantly, our mind a chance to recover and recalibrate. Stepping away from the outside world and the stress that comes with it can be difficult, but when we do make space in our lives for it, it allows us to return to our regular lives with renewed vigor and a better state of mind. Finding the time for a float can help us step away and do nothing… in the most productive way possible.
Tuning Into Your Inner Perception With Floating
Touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste are what most people immediately think of when asked about the human senses. While these five major senses get the most attention, there are numerous, often-overlooked senses of the body that can add a great depth of information about what is going on inside of us: for example thermoception (sense of temperature), nociception (sense of pain), and equilibrioception (sense of balance). One of these lesser known senses is interoception, or the sense of the sensations inside your own body, like your heartbeat and your breathing. “It’s like an inner selfie,” Dr. Sahib Khalsa, floatation researcher, says in his 2016 Float Conference talk.
Interoception can be compared to other forms of bodily sensations such as exteroception, which deals with sensations outside the body through stimulation of the five major senses, and proprioception,which deals with your spatial awareness. Together, these senses work to help the brain determine the answer to “how do you feel?” Through knowing where you are spatially, what is in your immediate environment, as well as what is going on in your body, you can identify how you feel, and what you need to do to correct anything that feels off. When one of these pathways for sensing our inner and outer worlds isn’t functioning properly, it can become challenging to articulate our feelings and emotions.
Research has shown a link between how we regulate our emotions and our level of interoceptive awareness; a lower ability to recognize what is going on inside our bodies leads to a more difficult time working out our emotions, which in turn can make us more anxious. Interoception has been shown to be a basis for our emotional regulation - if you know what is going on inside, you’ll likely be more in tune with your emotional states.
There is an evolutionary explanation for this, the more connected our ancestors were to their bodies, the more quickly they could act to solve a problem. Were they hungry and needed food? Or cold and needed shelter? Being able to decipher these messages sent to the brain in a fast and efficient way allowed ancient humans a better chance at survival.
The disconnect between what the body is feeling and what the brain is perceiving can slow us down, causing us to have trouble acting on our internal feelings, often bringing out feelings of distress and anxiety. Not knowing how to describe what you’re feeling leads to confusion as we are lost in describing what we feel. Previous research has shown that floating can increase the awareness of inner bodily sensations, especially when in the tank, when a beating heart suddenly becomes more prominent in the otherwise empty environment. That feeling of body-connectivity can carry on outside of the tank as well. This has led to current research looking at how floating can be used to help people with anxiety who struggle to connect their inner sensations to the proper emotions.
Anxiety Sensitivity (AS) is described as the fear that one will experience anxiety symptoms and sensations, specifically ones arising from inside the body, and is an underlying contributor to many forms of chronic anxiety. AS can be a large factor in anxiety levels for someone in their day-to-day life, and can have a variety of effects ranging from impacting how their immune system is functioning to being a cause of random panic attacks. Is it possible that getting people with high AS and low interoception into a float tank could help them get more in tune with their bodies through the reduction of all the outside stimulation? Dr. Justin Feinstein and Dr. Sahib Khalsa set out to answer that in a 2017 study.
The study took individuals with high AS and other forms of anxiety and looked at how floating might be beneficial for interoception compared to another relaxing treatment (watching a nature documentary). After floating (compared to the documentary) participants reported lower states of anxiety, while also having reduced blood pressure and muscle tension. Participants who floated also had an increase of sensations from the cardiorespiratory system – their breath and heartbeat became easy to focus on with all other stimulation swept away. Interestingly, participants found it easier to detect their heartbeat all throughout their body, including areas on the face, head, and on the back.The ability to regulate their focus on internal bodily sensations was also increased. The findings indicated that floating helped these participants see a reduction of general anxiety as well as increased interoception, specifically through the heartbeat and the breath.
Many anxiety disorders stem from a disconnect between the mind and body, lowering levels of interoception. This disconnect can cause other forms of anxiety, as emotions can feel out of sync, leading to internal confusion. Having a higher interception allows for someone to be more attentive to their emotions, as they can process internal stimulation quicker and more accurately gauge how they are feeling. While more work needs to be done, the results are promising, and early studies show that floating could be beneficial to increasing interoception, specifically within highly anxious individuals. There appears to be a strong connection between floating and heightened recognition of the heartbeat and breathing, making you more in tune with your body, and fostering a better understanding of the connection between your physical and mental states.
Floating and Yoga - An Enlightening Combination
The idea of yoga in the west often begins and ends with pictures of various movements you do in a crammed studio surrounded by other sweaty people. In reality, this is but one sliver of what yoga truly is. Rather than a physical workout that you do, yoga is more of a way of life that you pursue. Is it an internal practice involving the mind and body, working towards alignment.
“The Yoga Sutras Of Patanjali”, one of the foundational texts of classical yoga written roughly 2000 years ago, describes eight limbs of yoga, each leading you on the path to enlightenment. The eight limbs are:
1. Yama – attitude towards the environment
2. Niyama – attitude towards oneself
3. Asana – practice of body movements
4. Pranayama – practice of breathing exercises
5. Pratyahara – restraining of the senses
6. Dharana – concentration on a single point
7. Dhyana – being fully engaged and concentrated in the meditation practice
8. Samadhi – enlightenment
It can be seen that the physical movements often associated with yoga (asanas) are just a small part of a larger practice: one that includes breathwork, mental concentration, looking inward, evaluating morals, and even practicing self-love. Depending on your school of thought, the limbs are either completed in order, or worked on simultaneously. Many in the west find their introduction to yoga through asana practice in a studio and then they might begin exploring the rest of their practice from there, if ever.
Looking at the eight limbs, it’s easy to see how many of them can be adapted for practice in the float tank, a seemingly perfect environment to engage with the yogic exercises. Having a place where you are left with nothing but your own mind and body creates a wonderful space to work on yourself. “Yoga is about stilling the fluctuations of our consciousness and finding the union of the body, mind, breath and the spirit in the present moment,” says yoga teacher, and floater, Martina Phillips. For her, floating is about “the feeling of non-existence and effortlessness.” She says the two practices can work together, and that with a correct practice, that same effortlessness she feels from floating can be felt from yoga.
Niyama, pranayama, and pratyahara stand out as particularly easy practices to work on while floating: looking inwards at yourself, breathing exercises, and resisting the senses. Looking inward and breathing exercises are simple forms of meditation, both of which people often already naturally do while floating.
And as far as resisting the senses goes, the tank is almost a cheat-code: there is simply nothing to resist. Once acclimated to the salty solution, your body soon begins to feel like a puddle, becoming one with the water. There are no sounds or lights to distract you, and before you know it all sensation has been reduced. Taking a deeper look, it becomes clear how all of the 8 limbs can be worked into the practice of floating.
Starting with simple mediations can lead easily into the practices of dharana and dhyana (concentration on a single point and being fully engaged and concentrated in the meditation practice). Floating is often described as “meditation with training wheels,” and we hear many people talk about how they start floats with meditation or breathwork. Whether these people know it or not, they are using the tank to practice yoga.
And as for Yama, or attitude towards your environment? With the increased boost of dopamine that can accompany a float, a happier outlook on the world can be easier to cultivate, giving a way to practice yamas after a float, looking at the world with more peaceful eyes.
Working asanas into floating may seem a bit more challenging; how can you do yoga poses in the tank? The answer is to adapt the poses in a way that can work with the buoyant saltwater. This means specifically focusing on poses that can easily be done in the supine position.
DISCLAIMER: We are not medical professionals, nor yoga teachers. All information regarding asanas/stretching in the tank has been gathered through conversations with yoga teachers. You should always listen to how your body feels when stretching, and consult with a doctor or physical therapist with any concerns before trying yoga in the float tank.
While floating in water may seem like it would hinder the asana practice, the buoyancy the tank provides can actually be used as a tool. All of the yoga teachers we spoke with mentioned the benefits of an asana practice in the tank: being suspended in water lets the spine stretch and the back muscles relax. This loosening of the body can help make poses feel easier to get into, allowing for deeper stretches than are typically possible out of the tank.
There is also the added freedom of movement without the pull of gravity, allowing the body to move and stretch in different ways. Another benefit of asana in the tank, as Kim Hannan, float center owner and yoga teacher points out, is how personal the practice in the tank becomes – there is no one else around you to compare your practice to. Alone in the darkness, she finds she can “feel a greater connection to the sensations in the body.” By having this greater connection, the need for a mirror in a yoga studio is lost, she can sink into poses by “not just wondering if my alignment ‘looks right’ - but does it ‘feel right’?”
For poses in the tank, most of the teachers mentioned “wiggling around” in the tank at the start of the float to loosen the body, then stretching out in every direction before falling still. Supine twists, like with hands above the head and moving hands and feet in the same direction, and creating a banana with your body (as Martina described), were common tank-poses that the yoga teachers mentioned.
Photo courtesy of Art of the Float (artofthefloat.com)
The “Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe” pose can become easier in the tank, as you are not relying on the back strength it takes to perform the pose standing. Likewise, “Reclining Tree” poses are nice to do in the tank to open-up the hips and align the spine. The “Reclining Cobbler” and “Reclining Lotus” poses were also brought up, as the floating feeling in the tank lets these deep and challenging poses become more accessible.
Photo courtesy of Art of the Float (artofthefloat.com)
These are not the only poses to practice in the tank, and even just light movements tend to be beneficial to getting the body relaxed. Light stretching before and after the float also offers value. Beforehand, it gets the body relaxed, and afterwards it can help wake the body back up and get ready to move. Once again, listen to your body and never push your limits while stretching in the tank. The asana practice should be light, and neither intense nor strenuous when you’re floating.
Finally, the achievement of Samadhi (enlightenment) is not something that can be done in a float or two. It’s certainly not impossible for one to become “enlightened” in the tank, but it is more likely the act of floating will aid in that journey through the integration of the other 7 limbs, allowing a unique environment to work deeply with the various yoga exercises.
The idea of floating being so closely tied with the 8 limbs of yoga has led to some people calling floating the unofficial “9th Limb”: Kim Hannan even mentions this in her 2018 blog post. She discusses how floating is the culmination of the 8 limbs and that in the tank all can be worked on together. Floating provides a space to take time for only yourself, making it a great place to integrate the practices of yoga.
It is worth noting that every float practice is unique, and that there are no “right” ways to float – on its own, it is a wonderful experience with many benefits. For some, the tank can be an extension of their yoga practice, and for others it is a space to simply de-stress and relax. Regardless, the important thing for any floating practice is to engage in self-care and actually book yourself in for a session.
Renaissance of Float Research
Similar to many float enthusiasts, if you ask us what floating is good for, our first answer is often, “What is it not good for?” Having witnessed floating help so many people, it’s easy to think of it as a panacea for all sorts of ailments and afflictions. However, despite decades of published research, some of those in the medical field still look at floating with a side-eye, skeptical of the claims made by floaters.
From curing insomnia to heightening your athletic abilities, there are personal stories from all over the globe of the benefits of floating. Unfortunately, large scale clinical trials are very expensive and time consuming, and most of these claims either receive funding for small scale studies, or aren’t able to be pursued at all with any kind of rigor.
As floating grows in prominence and popularity, the demand for this research has been getting stronger and stronger, and there are many researchers both in the US and internationally who are studying the effects of floatation therapy. The Float Lab at the Laureate Institute of Brain Research (LIBR) is one of the best funded float labs in the world, and over the last decade it has been working to produce large, well-funded studies on floating as a treatment for a range of conditions.
More recently, they’re being joined by a new non-profit, The Float Research Collective (FRC). The FRC was created by Dr. Justin Feinstein, who previously helped to found and head the float laboratory at LIBR. With the Float Research Collective, Dr. Feinstein wants to do two things: create a new, dedicated float research lab and cultivate a network of float centers who can contribute data from their own tanks. Through this, the FRC aims to combine classical lab research with a huge collaboration of citizen science to advance our understanding of floatation.
Both organizations are attempting new, robust studies with hopes of creating a renaissance of float research. If you’re curious about any of the previous, peer-reviewed studies on floatation, the FRC has a public list available. Even just in the past several years there have been some very large strides forward in research of floating to help treat anxiety (one of the most prevalent mental disorders) and anorexia (the deadliest mental disorder).
In two 2018 articles, Dr. Feinstein showed how promising floating can be as a treatment for reducing anxiety. In a randomized study, participants across the board showed a decrease in anxiety and stress and an increase in relaxation and serenity. You can watch Dr. Feinstein report on the results of the studies at the 2019 Float Conference, or read the articles themselves in Biological Psychiatry and PLOSone.
More recently, Dr. Sahib Khalsa, who now leads the float lab at LIBR, started delving into how floating can help those with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. After running a successful safety study (to make sure participants wouldn’t have any adverse effects from the tanks – which they did not) the roadwork was set for a clinical study. The clinical trial was a success: there appeared to be a reduction in anxiety as well in body-image dissatisfaction, meaning they had a more positive perception of their body image. Read the full research article here, and listen to Dr. Khalsa present on the results during the 2021 Float Conference.
The success of this initial trial allowed for a follow up, full-scale randomized efficacy study. By taking a group with severe anorexia nervosa, a direct comparison was done with floating versus the usual personalized treatment plan done as a treatment at LIBR. The two treatments were compared over the course of 8 sessions, and through multiple follow-ups over the course of a year afterwards.
While we’ll have to wait a little bit for the results of the long-term follow-up to be published, we did get a preview of the results at the 2022 Float Conference this August. The initial results show that the float group saw a greater reduction in both body image dissatisfaction and in anxiety. The effect of change was small in body image dissatisfaction, but still significant with a 4.9% reduction in the float group, while the anxiety effect was large with nearly a 20% reduction in anxiety in the float group, compared to only a 0.2% reduction in the usual care group.
These studies and their effect sizes are wonderful to see, but there is still a lot to be done with float research. Building a database of clinical studies to begin exploring these and other general claims for floating are the big next steps. At that point, the studies can begin getting more into the specifics of how and why floating is helping people. If general anxiety can be reduced from floating, does that mean that anxiety that arises from other specific conditions also be treated through floating?
Hard scientific findings are needed to further open the door for floatation treatments becoming mainstream, and the work of Dr. Feinstein and Dr. Khalsa, along with many other float researchers, is important for starting to illuminate the benefits. Further studies can now be done to delve deeper into the results, and to help establish floatation therapy as a viable, all-natural medical treatment. As more work stems from these studies, we look forward to floating being even more validated in the medical community, and to it becoming a more widely recognized and recommended treatment for a variety of afflictions.
Floating...The Perfect Travel Companion
The feeling of getting off a long plane ride, worn out from the traveling you’ve already done, can sometimes stifle the excitement for the trip ahead. For especially long or arduous journeys, entire days can be lost or wasted trying to deal with jet lag and catch up on sleep. The drowsiness and exhaustion can certainly impact how you engage with new environments, and it can lead to seeing the world as duller and less interesting.
It can feel like you need a reset, much like when a computer gets overworked – simply rebooting it can fix a lot of problems, and the same is true for us. Starting your travels with a float can be just the reset you need, and it can help in a big way with alleviating symptoms of jet lag. It also enhances your senses, letting you take in your new surroundings in a fresh and exciting way.
One of the most enticing benefits that a float tank can provide to someone traveling is the reduced stress one feels after a session. For many people, traveling can be a less-than-ideal situation; it often involves long days, uncomfortable transportation, overstimulation, and an ever-present fear that something will go wrong. We have a romantic vision of vacations as a relaxing respite from our normal lives, but the reality is that they're often highly stressful experiences.
Fortunately, floating has been shown to specifically alleviate stress and anxiety, and it’s no wonder that this is one of the most commonly cited reasons that people come in to float. By slowing down the production of cortisol (one of our stress hormones), floating helps to regulate our overall stress levels. Hopping into a tank when you arrive at a new destination can help strip away that travel stress, and prevent it from negatively impacting the first days of your trip.
Even just an hour float session can rejuvenate your system, giving you an energy recharge for your upcoming explorations. The effects of floating can last multiple days, even up to a week, allowing you to feel ready to go for your whole adventure. Surplus energy is always welcome while traveling, during which so often the goal is to go-go-go and see as much as possible. This kind of non-stop pace gets tiring very quickly, and the exhaustion associated with travel is a big reason some people don’t take any long trips at all. However, by starting the journey with a float and letting your body relax, exploring immediately becomes less draining and more exhilarating.
Fighting off the effects of jet lag is a tremendous boon for any travels, but that’s not the only way floating can improve travels – and arguably it’s not even the coolest benefit. Post-float, there is a unique opportunity to experience the world in a different headspace. Removing all stimuli allows the brain to rest and readjust, which changes how we perceive the world once we re-engage with it.
After floating, lights are more vibrant, sounds have a new tone to them, and food tastes better. These heightened senses can make any plans you have that much more enjoyable. New and exciting restaurants become even more delicious, art galleries grow in the way they provoke thoughts, and landscapes increase in intensity as the colors saturate.
Additionally, at the same time that your cortisol levels are dropping, your production of dopamine is increasing, providing a naturally better mood. Being in this headspace can have a tremendous influence on all of your experiences: feeling fresh, relaxed, ready to conquer the new adventures that lie ahead of you. Floating can also increase the quantity and quality of your sleep, helping to push past that weird feeling of sleeping on an unfamiliar bed that makes it more difficult for many of us to sleep well away from home.
Floatation therapy has benefits that can help improve our quality of life in so many areas, and that includes travel. The good news is that it’s easier than ever to find a good place to float – in the past decade float centers have been opening at a swift pace in cities all across the globe. Starting a trip with a float could just be the secret to getting the absolute most our of the rest of your vacation – and it’s not the worst way to unwind and process your experiences upon your return.
Floating and Concussions
The search for pain relief can drive people in many unexpected, and sometimes downright odd, directions – float tanks among them. With the high concentration of Epsom salt, the tank can fully support the body without any areas of pressure on your back. This alone has been shown to help with inflammation reduction, faster recovery times, and general pain management, which helps explain why many big-name athletes and sports teams (like Steph Curry, Tom Brady, the Seahawks, the Dodgers, the Cubs, and many more) incorporate floating into their recovery programs.
Beyond physical recovery, floating has also been shown to have many positive mental effects, such as reducing anxiety and depression, while increasing energy levels and serenity. These particular benefits have been backed by scientific research, but since floating is still a largely under-researched field, many of the stories that claim benefits from floating haven’t been explored through official studies. There are, however, some benefits that are being explored through smaller scale research programs and case studies that, while not official, show promise and can help lead to new findings and larger scale studies in the future.
One of these areas of exploration is that of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and specifically concussions. Concussions can have a variety of symptoms: a foggy mind, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating, increased sensitivity to external stimulation, as well as many others.
The positive impact of floating on TBIs, and especially on concussions, is of great interest to me, and is one of the main reasons I pursued a job in this industry. I suffered multiple concussions over my life, and during my twenties the long-term effects to my brain were beginning to get more intense. From my first concussion at age 5, to the most recent at age 20, the symptoms began to compound: more brain fog, more forgetfulness, an overall feeling of being oblivious to my surroundings… the list goes on.
Possibly the worst problem for many people with concussions is that, as a result of dealing with these symptoms for so long, they don’t realize that anything is wrong, and so never seek treatment. It wasn’t until I began floating, and seeing improvements in so many areas of my life, that I began to recognize just how much my quality of life had been impacted by the 7 concussions I received over roughly 15 years.
With consistent floating, my symptoms calm down: my mood is better, I’m not as forgetful, and I feel more mindful. Each moment doesn’t pass so fast. However, when I float less often, my issues flare up again. Put simply, my quality of life has improved tremendously, and I credit that to floating.
There are many other anecdotal stories out there of floating being helpful for traumatic brain injuries. One customer shared his story of how floating helped with his own TBI. Prior to floating, he found he needed more rest than what his (often restless) sleep at night could provide to maintain his mental clarity. Naps added some relief, but further messed up the already discombobulated sleep cycle he was dealing with. He said that, “from day one, [floating] has been really helpful as a way of resting my brain and letting it heal.” He mentioned how, even if he falls asleep in the tank, his sleep at night is not interrupted. Instead, he finds it much easier to slip into a restful sleep on days where he’s rested in the float tank, and he, like myself and many others, feels that floating has helped to alleviate many of the negative symptoms of his TBI.
A few more rigorous case studies on the benefits of floating for those who have suffered a TBI have been conducted by Dr. David Berv out of Richmond, VA. In one case study done by Dr. Berv, a subject with long term effects from their TBI (10 years) began to see improvements mentally after only a 3-month float program. Energy and motivation levels increased, while feelings of depression saw a decrease. This was similar to my own timeline of improvement after I began to float regularly.
Another of Dr. Berv’s TBI case-studies saw similar results. There were improvements in fatigue and brain fog, and decreased headaches, confusion, and sleep disturbances. Both of these case studies came to the same conclusion: floating is a promising tool for improving emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning after suffering a TBI, even years after the injury initially took place.
As floating grows more popular, stories like these continue to emerge, and while some of these benefits are spread through word of mouth (and occasional blog posts) to other floaters, with luck eventually they will reach a scientist curious enough to investigate. In the future, we will hopefully see funded studies specifically on the benefits floating can provide to people suffering from symptoms of their brain injuries. This could lead to a world where those with head trauma can find relief, apart from prescribed medication. Having played football for so long, I wonder how we can assist those who have suffered even more concussions than I did in my youth – floating could be an answer, but more research is needed.
Regardless, hearing all these wonderful stories of recovery makes me excited. So little is known about the brain, and new discoveries can come from the most unexpected of places – like an oversized, salt-saturated, neutral-temperature bathtub.