The float tank is an ideal environment for deep meditation. Most of us have never experienced prolonged periods of this mental state, but a float or two will typically open the door for deeper exploration. This blog is for the intermediate floater who is looking to find methods of reaching this meditative (Theta) mindset as quickly as possible. These methods are also very helpful outside of the tank and can be important tools for mental relaxation.
Breath Awareness:
This is the first step for beginning meditation and as far as I’ve researched, it seems to be universally employed in all of the different religions/faiths that emphasize meditation all over the world. The idea in breath awareness is to distract the mind from thoughts, words and/or images by focusing all of your attention to the natural rhythms of the body. To practice breath awareness in the tank, simply breathe in as deep as possible through the nose, pause a few seconds (not holding the breath but allowing it to flow through the body before exhaling) and then fully exhale all the while focusing your attention on the process. When thoughts inevitably arise, don’t resist them. Simply let them pass like a cloud moving through the sky and gently return your awareness to your breathing.
Body Awareness:
This technique should be practiced after some time is spent on breath awareness and the floater has a good grasp of meditative breathing. When ready, on the count of one, breathe in deeply and direct your complete attention to a very specific area of the body (we’ll start with the center of the forehead). When concentrating on this body part, try your best to focus the entire essence of your very being into the area; all aspects of your perceived self, body, mind and spirit. Exhale completely holding attention to the area, then inhale on the count of two and move your awareness to the nose. Repeat this exercise as you move to the mouth, throat, left shoulder, left elbow/wrist/hand/fingers, return back to the throat and repeat for the right arm side, return to throat and move to the lower parts of the body: chest, abdomen, pelvis, left hip/knee/ankle/foot/toes, return to pelvis, move down the right leg side. Return up through the center of the body to reach the forehead and relax deeply. You should count somewhere in the vicinity of sixty breaths to completely move through the body. When successful, you’ll find that sensation and/or visualizations arise in the area of the body you’re focusing on and deep relaxation sets in.
Had a nice and friendly staff member help us out! A great first experience and I hope to be back soon! Unfortunately the power went out towards the end but that is beyond their control as blackouts occur quite frequently in Vietnam
Great experience! It was my first time there and the staff member/ owner took his time to explain to us the benefits and walked us through the process. Unfortunately there was a power trip towards the end of my session, but the staff member/ owner were witty calm about it and brought it a huge speaker to wake us up (just in case we hadn’t got up).
This is an absolutley amazing find in Hanoi. I always tell people that floating is the perfect practice if your looking to improve your health, inner peace, and general wellbeing - and that is certainly the case at 'float Hanoi' as well! I have been floating regularly for a few years in the US, and I can say that the tanks and facilities here are truly top of the line. Also Minh, one of the owners, was incredibly welcoming and helpful - he even took me to find an ATM machine after my float so i could pay him! Then followed by showing me a gas station so I could fill up my motorbike (Ive only been here two days). 🙂 Float Hanoi exemplifies what selfless service is all about - I feel at home in Hanoi already just from my first experience here (Of course im also relaxed and rejuvinated from the float itself). I bought a package of 5 "one hour" floats, and when those are up, I will be buying a package of 5 "ninety minute" floats. All that said, just do yourself a big favor and give this place a real shot! You wont be at all dossapointed. ????
The last time I floated was back in Bangkok in 2019. My husband and I were regulars at the facility there. The Hanoi float center feels much more “homemade” than the one in Bangkok. Not saying that neither is better than the other; the setting feels very different, which is something to keep in mind. Otherwise, the tanks work the same - the only difference would be that you have the option to pry the tank’s cover open slightly with the ones in BKK but here, it’s either fully close or open, which can be uncomfortable for first-time floaters. Also, if you haven’t meditated for a long time, it can be pretty challenging during the first few sessions as your mind WILL keep wandering. We did the couple floating session for 60 minutes, and we didn’t regret giving it a try. It was nice, dark, and quiet (something you don’t get much from living in Hanoi). The staff understands and speaks English very well. The online reservation was hassle free, and the team will contact you a day before by phone to reconfirm. Note that they are not really responsive on Facebook messenger, so it’s better to call. It’s a straight forward experience, you go in, pay, rinse a bit, float, get out, rinse again, dress up and leave. Nothing to complain about and would personally return.
Quietest place in HCMC*. I've been floating for over four years and was so happy to find this place in Vietnam. The set up is very professional and sanitary. Owners are knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The prices do seem a bit high and geared towards tourists. I'll will return, but not as frequently as I'd like. *I would not suggest you float if there's going to be rain. During my float it started to pour and the noise was to the point you can not tune it out. I had to cut my float short as a result. No offer of offset cost or float time in the future, disappointing.
Visualization meditation:
This practice is best employed in conjunction with breath/body awareness and if done correctly, will only intensify the effects of the previously mentioned techniques. When doing your breath awareness exercise, add a visual component such as light to help hold your attention and enrich the experience. With each inhalation, imagine pure white light entering in through the left nostril and moving throughout all the regions of the body. During the pause before exhaling, imagine all of the negative aspects of your physical/mental self (toxins, delusion, negative thoughts/emotions) as an internal dark gray or blue or brown cloud being purified by the white light and changed to a radiant golden color. Then exhale through the right nostril, picturing the golden light being expelled back into the physical world. Assign a smell to the light if you wish. Imagine music that accompanies it. After ten to twenty minutes of repeating this, change the flow of breath from the left nostril to your right and repeat the exercise. Continue in this way until you reach deep relaxation. Again, gently dismiss all arising thoughts, and you will enter into deep meditation easily without having noticed.
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