Now that you’ve committed to floating and scheduled an appointment, we’d like to walk you through the floating experience, particularly for those of you who are new to floating. Floating is simple, and you’ll generally find that all you need to bring is yourself and the willingness to relax.

first time float tank therapy

To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend that new customers arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled appointment. This will allow enough time to complete minor paperwork, receive instructional information, tour the facility, and ask questions before starting the float. Although floating is a straightforward practice, we want to ensure you are familiar with the basics, know what to expect, and can get started quickly. Repeat customers need not arrive early.

the floating experience in a nutshell

After checking in, you will be escorted to your private float room. Inside, you will disrobe, shower, enter the tank, and float for 60 minutes. When your session ends, the tank will alert you to exit, showering again using our provided products, and get dressed. You can then unwind in our post-float lounge or proceed to the checkout. Don’t forget to relish in the renowned “post-float glow”! For an optimal experience, here are a few tips on floating.
How to prepare
What do i bring?
What do we provide?
How to prepare

• Some floaters avoid shaving/waxing, excess tanning, or any other activity that may increase the skin’s sensitivity for 12-24 hours before a float. However, shaving the face is rarely an issue as the face does not generally sit in the water. Individual preferences and tolerances apply.
• Don’t allow hunger or thirst to prevent you from being able to relax and enjoy your float. Having a small meal an hour or two prior to the appointment is probably ideal for most people.
• Also, avoid going into the tank dehydrated, which is just good practice in general. Everyone is different, so please pay attention to your body and use common sense.
• Avoid caffeine or smoking prior to the session if this would impact your relaxation. Please pay attention to your body and do what is best for you.
• Use the restroom as needed prior to floating.
• If you have recently dyed your hair, please refrain from floating until the color has completely set in, which can take 1-4 weeks.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please see our FAQ or give us a call to speak to an employee.

What do i bring?

• Dress as comfortably as you can, keeping in mind that you will be undressing and dressing before and after your float. However, for those customers that come to the center in business attire, this is not a concern, as each float room has a personalized changing area
• If you wear contacts, it is highly recommended that you remove them prior to floating. If so, please bring contact lens solution and any other necessary equipment.
• A swim suit is not needed, as we encourage customers to float nude. Each customer has their own float room, featuring a tank, shower, and changing area. If you prefer to float in a suit, please bring one. For more information on this, see our FAQ page.
• Bring a comb or brush for your hair, as well as any other vanities or toiletries not already provided at the center.

What do we provide?

• A personalized float room all to yourself, including state-of-the-art float tank, shower, and changing area
• Shower supplies to include a selection of high quality body washes, shampoos, and conditioners. These products were chosen with great care, and with the health of our employees and customers in mind.
• Fresh shower towel
• Fresh wash cloth for use inside the tank if you get water in your eyes
• Ear-plugs for use in the tank. These are optional, and many customers choose not to wear ear-plugs while floating.

during the float

While we recommend that customers simply lie in the tank and relax, we realize that everyone is different, and there are some best practices and recommendations for use during the float session.

Body Position

Floaters generally choose to have the arms down and at the side with palms facing up or down or arms overhead with the palms facing up. The water will normally pull the arms into one of these positions. Some floaters will cross the arms over the stomach or chest, but generally, it is best to let the water in the tank support the arms.

Breathing

This will often be the only thing a person hears inside the soundproof tank. For those that have learned to do so, breathing techniques can be an amazing tool for calming and relaxing the mind and body. Breathing through the nose and not the mouth is a best practice, both in and out of the tank. That’s what the nose is for!

Being Still

The more calm and still you are in the tank, the better. The body may shift around in the tank, and floaters can sometimes touch the sides of the tank with their arms or even feet. Do not overreact to this. Instead, let your body naturally find the center of the tank, which it will. Floaters usually figure this out shortly after starting their first float.

“Trying” to Relax

Don’t try too hard to do anything or bring expectations into the tank. Just be aware that it is a unique environment and that your body knows what to do. Some float in order to meditate, and some float simply for relaxation and pain relief. It will be more enjoyable if you let the experience be what it is for you and know that it might be different every time you float.

The Eyes

It is often best not to try too hard to force the eyes closed; instead, keeping them open is often a good technique, as there is nothing to look at, and they will complete naturally as you relax into the session.

after the float…

The tanks will notify you that the session is over, at this point, you will get out of the tank, shower, dress, and exit your room. At this point, some customers choose to check out and leave the center, while others prefer to stay and use our post-float lounge area to relax or talk to other customers and staff. Many floaters are in a state of euphoria or deep relaxation after a session in the tank, and as such many prefer to extend this well-deserved period of relaxation by enjoying some of the amenities of our post-float lounge, as detailed below:

1. Filtered water and other beverage options
2. Healthy snack options
3. Comfortable seating
4. Books and periodicals on a number of subjects

…the day after

The benefits of floating extend beyond your time in the tank. Notice how you feel in the day or days following a float. Do you sleep better, feel less affected by life situations, or have a better mood? Have specific aches and pains subsided or gone away? Do you have less craving for negative factors in your life? Do you feel sharper at work or play? With more practice and regular floating, these benefits will build and accumulate, so we encourage our customers to float and to float often.

Floating dates back to the 1950s when physician, neuroscientist, and psychoanalyst Dr. John C. Lilly, author of multiple books on floating, devised the concept for the ‘isolation tank’ as part of his research at the National Institute of Mental Health.