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All About the Float

A flotation tank (aka float tank, sensory deprivation tank, or isolation tank): A tank filled with water that has enough Epsom salt mixed in to allow a person to float on the surface. The water is kept at skin-temperature, making it virtually imperceptible. The room is virtually sound-proof and the interior of the tank is pitch-black, creating a place for our bodies to be free from gravity and all stimulation from the outside world.

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A float tank is not as much an object as it is an environment. An environment with the purpose of acting as a counterbalance to every other interaction we have with the world around us. It is the pursuit of a pure nothingness. A place of rest. It is an environment that allows our bodies and minds to sink away from the society that has been built around us, and to instead turn focus internally. A chance to check in with ourselves, uninhibited by the external forces that are otherwise omnipresent. There is no magic in the float tank, the magic is us. Our bodies have spent millions of years learning how to take care of themselves, and the float tank simply provides the optimum environment with which to do so.

 

All of this is compounded by the benefits of Epsom salt (Magnesium Sulfate). While used primarily in the float tank as the means of making people float, Epsom salt comes with the added benefit of softening skin and hair, improving overall skin condition, easing soreness/swelling, and getting people the magnesium they are lacking. Absorbing magnesium sulfate through the skin is safer than taking an oral supplement. It is estimated that around 70% of Americans suffer from a magnesium deficiency.

Smiling woman in a float pool

benefits of gravity reduction

The density of the salt water puts the floater in an environment where approximately 80% of the gravity we usually feel is no longer affecting our body. We use a large portion of our mental and physical resources counteracting the force of gravity on a moment to moment basis. Relief of this effort leaves our body with a surplus of energy and processing power at its disposal. When left with this abundance, our body spends its efforts on resting, recuperating, and healing anything that needs attention. In addition to this, the gravity-reduced environment allows our body to decompress, especially throughout the joints and the spinal column.

  • Expedited healing of broken bones/sprained joints

  • Relief from back and neck pain

  • Spinal alignment

  • Structural alignment

  • Physical rehabilitation

  • Arthritis

  • Scoliosis

  • Fibrolmyalgia

stress relief

This alone could be a page of information unto itself. Our fight-or- flight system gives priority to a select number of our bodies faculties at the expense of most of our basic regulatory functions. This is an effective means of surviving a tricky situation, but it's not how our bodies are meant to run long-term. A plethora of ailments arise from our bodies not being able to return to their comfortable homeostasis. Floatation tanks might be the most relaxing environment we can put our bodies into. Stress relief comes almost instantly from floating. Benefits get stronger and last longer the more you float.

  • Hypertension

  • Apoplexy or stroke

  • Coronary heart disease

  • Ulcers

  • Migraine or tension headaches

  • Asthma

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

  • Depression

  • Burn out Syndrome

  • Jet lag

  • Temporomandibular (TMJ) Syndrome

  • Trichotillomania

  • Emotional pain relief

  • PTSD

  • Autism

  • Insomnia

  • Addictions

  • Obesity/weight loss

Peaceful, tattoed woman floating in water with arm raised wearing a spotted bikini

benefits of epsom salt

Woman in black bikini, sitting up leaning back against the side of a float pool

Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate (MgSO4·7H2O). It is most commonly mined from the earth. Although more research is needed, there is some evidence that Magnesium is absorbed into the body during an Epsom salt bath. This is notable considering the fact that the majority of Americans (an estimated 70%) are theorized to be deficient in Magnesium. 

  • Autism

  • Poor pancreatic function/detoxification

  • Leaky gut

  •  Sulfates play a vital role in the formation of brain tissue

  • Sulfates play a vital role in the formation of joint proteins

Low sulfate levels are associated with

  • Poor regulation and catalysation of enzymes

  • Poor calcium absorption

  • Diabetes

  • Asthma

  • Osteoporosis

  • Stroke

  • Heart Attack

  • Migraines

  • Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) severity

Low magnesium levels are associated with

meditation

Quieting the mind is no easy task. Some people just can't get the hang of it. Floatation therapy has been referred to as the "Express route to the benefits of meditation.” Removing ALL external stimuli and eliminating the persistent distraction known as the body works wonders to quiet the mind and obtain the kind of deep calm meditation masters spend countless hours trying to achieve. You CAN meditate, floating can help. Floating increases Theta brain wave activity which is the ultimate key to relaxation and deep meditation. Floating gives inexperienced meditators a leg-up. It also helps experienced meditators reach new realms.

Woman reclining in float pool
Woman lying back in float pool in colors of purple and blue lights

enhanced creativity and problem solving

To put it simply, floatation allows the mind to be set completely free. When you are without stimulation or distraction, formulating new and innovative ideas suddenly becomes much easier. Many floatation users speak of "epiphanies" had within the tank. Breakthroughs regarding life in general as well as specific problems. The benefits to creativity are also well documented. In fact, floatation has been the basis for a variety of art-centric programs, studies and even books.

Prefloat Video

What to Expect

  • Upon scheduling an appointment on the website, an email with a waiver attached will be sent. The waiver will need to be completed prior to your float. Please watch the video as well. 

  • If you have questions at any time during the process, please feel free to text or call me at (701) 581.7292   (I genuinely love what I do, and I love to talk about it! )

  • To ensure that you have the best float experience, we have a few important pre-float guidelines: we encourage you to wait at least 5 washes for standard hair colors (brown, blonde, etc), and 15 washes (or until the towel is clean*)

  • Before coming to the float center, eating a small meal approximately an hour beforehand is encouraged. 

  • For your float, you may wear a bathing suit, but most of our guests prefer to float sans clothing. *Should you choose to wear a bathing suit, please wash with vinegar and air dry to reduce contaminants being added to the pool. 

  • Post float, you will want to wear or bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. The rooms are kept at the same temperature as the water, and the post-float shower can be a bit humid.

  • We provide Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, Hair ties, Face wipes, Towels, and washcloths (we also have a hair dryer available).

  • We are located in the alley between N. 13th and N. 14th Street with parking right out our front door (just behind the CHI overflow parking for their student center). 

  • Please remove your shoes upon coming into the building (We want to ensure that everything stays as clean as possible for each guest). If you would like to bring slippers, please feel free to do so.

  • The office is direct to the left upon entering the building, and someone will be there to greet you, walk through the float center, and familiarize you with the process of floating and the location of the restroom. 

  • Upon completion of your float, we provide post-float water (Boxed Water), and a light snack.

  • If you're not quite ready to leave the calm, we have several benches and some reading materials if you want to sit a spell before venturing back out into the world. 

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