What is Floating?

In today's fast moving high tech environment we are inundated with data, images and endless forms of stimulation. Floating in a floatation tank for as little as one hour allows you to remove yourself from this stimulation, resulting in a rejuvenation of body and mind that will reinvigorate you and help bring balance to your world. 

Lack of appropriate sleep negatively effects brain function and has been linked to everything from ulcers and depression to heart disease and cancer. Floatation therapy is a form of R.E.ST. Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy and can help you make up for that lack of sleep that far too many of us experience on a regular basis.

Floaters often refer to the peacful and euphoric feelings they experience after exiting the float tank, these effects can last a few days, up to a week.

The floatation tank is approximately 8.5' long by 4' wide, and almost 4' high, it is a sound and lightproof unit in which you float like a cork effortlessly on the surface of 10.5 inches of water that is saturated with 1000 Lbs of medical grade Epsom salt solution.  We have the largest enclosed floatation tanks in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The tank is constantly maintained between 93.5 - 94, your body's skin temperature is 93.5. Epsom salt has been used for centuries for its many health benefits. You can float with or without sound for stress reduction, pain management, meditation, or higher learning. You will leave the tank relaxed, rested, refreshed and feeling great.

When people exit the floatation tank, amazingly they look so much more rested and happy, than before they entered the tank.

The History and Science of Floating

Floatation therapy, once referred to as sensory deprivation or isolation tanks have been around since the early 1950's.

Floatation therapy is based on a revolutionary scientific approach to deep relaxation called Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique or R.E.S.T. for short. The idea was developed in 1954 at NIMH (the National Institute of Mental Health) in Washington. Floating in a floatation tank triggers a relaxation response, much deeper than normal sleep and enables us to drift into the elusive Theta waves.

Floatation REST has many physical and mental benefits because it provides an unparalleled level of relaxation. With the elimination of external stimuli, the central nervous system's workload is reduced by as much as 90%. This reduction draws a person's energy inward and promotes relaxation (the parasympathetic response). The parasympathetic response is the mechanism by which the body naturally regenerates itself and maintains chemical and metabolic balance. Old wounds and injuries are allowed to heal faster. Increased T-cell production strengthens the immune system. This deep level of relaxation also benefits the cardiovascular system. Known as the vasodilatory effect, the body's circulation is increased while the blood pressure and heart rate are reduced. Furthermore, the elimination of gravity on the body allows muscles and joints to release tension and heal more rapidly. For this reason, people suffering from musculoskeletal and rheumatic conditions greatly benefit from Floatation REST.

The Brain wave explanation by Michael Hutchison, best describes what happens to us when we are in the 4 stages of brain wave frequency. Floating subtly changes our body chemistry having a profound beneficial impact on an individual's emotional balance negative emotions such as anxiety and fear are replaced by positive feelings of empowerment, confidence, and well-being.

While floating the brain slows down into theta waves, the brain wave state of tranquility, creativity and very deep relaxation. Theta brain waves, measured at 4-7 Hz, is the brain state of REM sleep (dreams), hypnosis, lucid dreaming. Theta is the twilight state just before sleeping and just after waking, the border between the conscious and the subconscious world, and by learning to use a conscious, waking Theta brain wave we can access and influence the powerful subconscious part of ourselves that is normally inaccessible to our waking minds. While in the Theta state, the mind is capable of deep and profound learning, healing, and personal growth. 

Below are the founders in the development and study of floatation tank therapy:

John Lilly

In 1954 neuro-scientist John Lilly, MD invented the first Sensory Deprivation tank that is now what we know as the floatation tank, to access a range of higher brain functions, meditation & healing. Find out more about Dr. Lilly at http://www.johnclilly.com/

Michael Hutchison

Michael Hutchison wrote the very informative;The Book of Floating. This link displays a chapter from his book Mega Brain.

Recent studies

In 2005 Floatation Therapy was studied again in Sweden.

Floatation tanks have appeared in the media for decades, whether you had the opportunity to see the movie Altered States, or just catch an episode of the Simpson’s, Absolutely Fabulous or more recently CSI NY. 

Floatation therapy has been steadily drifting into the mainstream of society, so  why not check out floatation first hand yourself?

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Links to floatation sites and manufacturers in the US and abroad:

• Float Tank Association - UK
• Floatation.com
• Float Dreams
• Oasis Relaxation
• Samadhi Tank
• Floataway
• Floatworks, The largest Floatation center in the world
• Float in London
• Zenblend, Austin TX

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