To Float or Not to Float, That is the Question

September 5, 2013 10:15 AM

I'm intrigued by a coupon offer for 60 minutes doing a sensory deprivation float at a local spa. Have you ever done this? Is it worth $29?
posted by bearwife to Health & Fitness (16 answers total)

Yes, I've done it. I found it very relaxing. Totally worth it at that price point.
posted by ottereroticist at 10:17 AM on September 5, 2013

I want to try it; in Toronto they are charging $100-$150/hr.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 10:22 AM on September 5, 2013

I would jump on that--seems like a great deal.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 10:26 AM on September 5, 2013

Are they doing it right? Seems awfully cheap.
posted by Obscure Reference at 10:29 AM on September 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

The closest I've gotten is lying flat on my back in the dark in a silent cave with all our lights out, so discounting the floating part, I can say that it is a wonderfully relaxing and calming experience.
posted by Devils Rancher at 10:31 AM on September 5, 2013

I found it took a couple of sessions to get used to the sensation, so you may not necessarily get a full sense of how relaxing it can be with just one. But totally worth a go, with the caveat that one should always check reviews of places with coupon offers before shelling out.
posted by catch as catch can at 10:34 AM on September 5, 2013

Response by poster: I hope so, Obscure Reference. This is the deal. Yelp reviewers say nice things about the spa.
posted by bearwife at 10:35 AM on September 5, 2013

Best answer: It's an unbelievable experience and can't be matched by simply laying down in the dark. All sensory input is removed -- you can't see anything, you can't feel the water because it's heated to your body temperature, and you can't hear anything. Without any input, your brain doesn't really know what to do and starts generating sensations and imagery. It's as close as you can get to a psychedelic trip without taking any drugs. The best part is if you get scared or uncomfortable, you can just get out and it's over. It's an experience that can't be had anywhere else and I highly recommend it.
posted by averageamateur at 10:36 AM on September 5, 2013 [5 favorites]

Best answer: I've done it and haven't found it particularly relaxing. You can definitely relax physically (as in, you don't need to keep yourself afloat because of the salt) but it's not a true sensory deprivation experience:

1. You keep drifting ever so slightly so every 5 minutes or so you have to push off a wall to get back in the middle. Push too much and you end up at the other wall. Ugh.

2. You still feel the water on your skin (yes, the water is skin-temperature but temperature is not the only aspect of touch).

3. There is a very small amount of light and sound. (I don't think it would be economically feasible for a spa to truly soundproof a room and the float tank equipment in it).

Perhaps I needed to give it another try? Perhaps my session was too long? (I did 90 minutes).
posted by rada at 10:51 AM on September 5, 2013 [3 favorites]

Best answer: If you are a person who can "turn off" and release to the experience it's fantastic. If it takes you a few days to get into your vacation, you might want a package on this so you work up to it. You have to just give over to it, and it's wonderful. I went with a friend and I was blissed out and he was not too happy.
posted by thinkpiece at 11:27 AM on September 5, 2013

Best answer: I tried it once and my experience was like rada's. Also, I got cold despite there being a control that supposedly alters the temp. (I do get cold easily)
posted by Anwan at 11:56 AM on September 5, 2013

Best answer: I also did it and thought it was kind of yucky. For some reason I imagined warm water (instead of skin temperature), and also the saltiness of the water makes it a little slimy.

That said, I know several other people who have done it and loved it, said it was super relaxing or they had all sorts of creative ideas in there. So it definitely seems worth trying for $29 -- you have a chance at really liking it :)
posted by feets at 4:43 PM on September 5, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks all! It sounds at worst not so great, so I went ahead and sprang for 3 sessions. I won't be sorry I did that if it is great, and if it isn't I can probably find someone to gift the other 2 sessions to.
posted by bearwife at 4:54 PM on September 5, 2013 [1 favorite]

The salt water stung my recently (as in, within a couple of hours) shaved legs for several minutes - not horribly painful, but this detracted from the whole "sensory deprivation" thing.

For me, the experience was somewhere between boring and yucky.
posted by she's not there at 6:03 PM on September 5, 2013

I tried it once. What was weird was that I was ON the water rather than IN it.
posted by brujita at 11:43 PM on September 5, 2013

Response by poster: OK, so I went for my first float yesterday and it was really amazing. My mind went everywhere, including to my personal biography, but in the end it was a zen like feeling of simply feeling my breathing. I have been feeling remarkably serene, pain free, and focused ever since. I didn't even realize how distracted I've been, and how hard it has gotten to concentrate, until after the float. I'll be making this a regular thing.

Thanks for all the helpful comments here. They got me in the tank!
posted by bearwife at 2:17 PM on October 28, 2013 [1 favorite]