The true POWER of flotation therapy is revealed when floating is approached as a practice…
Floating like other things (resistance training, yoga, meditation) is best experienced and has greater benefits when done regularly. Floating most definitely has a learning curve and accumulation effect.
Most of the major learning curve is conquered within the first 3 floats (if completed within 4-6 weeks) which can be thought of as 2 main skill sets; 1) hard skills and 2) soft skills:
1. The Hard Skills:
– Knowing the order of procedures for a float: washroom, shower, ear plugs, float, exit, shower, lounge, etc.
– Securing ear plugs well; or perhaps experimenting with no ear plugs *(only recommended for those not predisposed to ear infections; always be sure to thoroughly rinse ones ears out post-float in shower to avoid salt clogs; ear into water stream, finger into the ear and wiggle around.)
– Avoiding salt drips in the eyes.
– Knowing physical position of comfort.
– Feeling confident physically getting in and out of the tank whenever it is needed.
2. The Soft Skills:
– Learning how to calm the mind and body. (meditation is a skill)
– Feeling empowered in that one can always exit when needed,
– Cultivating compassion and giving oneself what they need to allow the float to “takeover”.
– Knowing Yourself – ultimately cultivating Trust and a level of personal comfort with ones own Presence to freely explore ones Self within the tank as well as receive the greatest amount of therapeutic benefits (physiologically and psychologically) while floating.
Making The Float Your Own :
There are many other variables, tips and pitfalls one should explore to find out how floating meshes best with themselves and their lifestyle. Such variables being:
– What time of day do I enjoy floating? *(early morning, midday, late night?)
– How do the things I eat before a float affect my float?
– What sort of activities do I enjoy doing or should avoid before a float?
– Should I float with audio?
The mind and body do go through an acclimatization experience when regularly subjected to a maximally sensory reduced environment (aka float tank). Research is showing that portions of the brain are are becoming modulated simply be frequent exposure.
As the float practice grows and evolves one’s relationship to themselves may grow and evolve as well. Every float is different because every day you are different. Floating provides us an optimized length of time and environment to truly explore our current state of Being. Disconnecting from everything externally to reconnect with what’s inside. Clearing the mind of fragmented thoughts and purging the body/central nervous system of stress can lead to much greater clarity, calmness, and sensitivity allowing for a more authentic, grounded and stable version of ourselves to be present in the world, at work, and in our relationships. Gifting this to yourself is actually gifting this version of yourself to others too.
Suggested Frequency:
Starting out, floating 2-3 times a month for 2-3 months is a great way to dive into a practice. For those really keen, floating once a week is incredible. However, even 1-2 / month for 4-6 months is a great start too.
Once you’ve cleared your first 10 floats, done within one of the frequencies suggested above, you should be able to to see how floating can benefit you and your life. Then typically 1-2 floats / month is a great place to be. Even taking little breaks is good and then coming back with greater intensity (3 floats in 2 weeks) is excellent. If life is getting busy and you are FEELING the stress accumulate this is the SIGN that you should float, this is when you want floating to be supporting you and your life. By opting to not float during these busy times is not strategically managing stress. When things are rolling smoothly, this is when floating less makes sense, but when sh*t is hitting the fan, that is the time to carve out a float every week or two to support your central nervous system, your mind, your actions and behaviours.
Thank you for hearing what we have to say about floating, our goal is to have people connect with floating the way we do, and treating it like a practice is where floating really kicks in!
Source: floathouse.ca