Feelings all sorts of zen. That’s what happens after a float in 900 lbs of epsom salt in a sensory deprivation tank for an hour.
I’ve always wanted to try this, ever since watching Olivia Dunham do it on Fringe. And since this is cheaper than floating in the Dead Sea…
We took advantage of a Social Shopper special for $37 pp. (regular price $75) at Float House in Kitsilano. It’s super relaxing – kinda neat how bouyant your body is with all that salt. There’s no fear that your head is going to go under water.
I did not, however, close the door shut. I used a noodle to hold the door for a sliver of light and air. I wasn’t sure how I’d react to the complete absence of external stimuli or being weightless in total darkness for over an hour. My mind runs a hundred miles an hour and I’ve never slowed it down by any other methods, other than yoga. I can’t even sit still long enough to meditate.
However, float tanks can be used to help achieve a deep meditative state. Apparently after 45 minutes, your mind starts producing theta brainwaves, which occurs during the period between sleeping and waking. Not only does floating relaxes the body, calms the mind and promotes healing, but it helps with creativity and visualization too.
For the first time out, even though I was relaxed, there was a part of me that was very aware that I was in this big, black, watery coffin-like contraption, experiencing “nothingness.”
Now that I tried it, I would definitely do it again and explore inner space more deeply. But maybe not to the point of sharing dream states and meeting Walternate on the other side.
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