What is floating?

During a float, you step into a quiet, warm, private spa called a float tank and lay back in water in which 1000 lbs of Epsom salts have been dissolved. The water is more dense than the Dead Sea, so you will float right on top—we promise! You will be fully supported, and you will expend no physical energy to stay afloat. The water is kept at a constant temperature of around 95 degrees, which feels warm at first but soon becomes almost imperceptible. When you choose to turn out the lights, your eyes can rest in a comforting darkness that is the same if you open or close them. External sounds are kept to an absolute minimum through extensive soundproofing throughout The Float Shoppe, earplugs, and the design of the tanks themselves.

Without the need to pay attention to changing stimuli, keep yourself vertical, navigate traffic, or have a conversation (unless with yourself), resources which are otherwise devoted to these and other tasks are free for use in problem solving, creative exploration, learning, or simply meditation, rest, and relaxation. Floating is a 90 minute savasana in a powerfully relaxing environment. Gentle music indicates when the end of the session has arrived.

Emerging from a float is an experience in itself. Senses are sharpened, the mind is refreshed, and the world may appear more vibrant. The feeling is often one of peace, relaxation, happiness, and calm attentiveness. We encourage you to explore this state with a cup of tea or in conversation with our staff and others coming out of floats in our lobby. The effects of floating last for hours to days afterwards, and have the potential to last much longer.

We believe that where the head goes, the body will follow. As the mind enters a deep state of calm, your body cannot help but experience similar effects. The body has an opportunity to reset and realign itself, and it is common for neck, back, and joints to pleasantly pop during a float. Blood pressure reduces as the body moves away from physical tension related to the “fight or flight” instinct and enters its natural state of rest. Research has demonstrated floating reduces pain of multiple types, whether caused by an acute injury, physical exertion, or chronic condition—including tension-related muscle pain and fibromyalgia. Muscles feel especially positive benefits from floating, as the combination of support and Epsom salt work together to give them total relief. The body absorbs magnesium from the Epsom salt-infused water, which facilitates flushing of lactic acid from tired muscles. An additional benefit enjoyed by many is an excellent night of sleep following a float, which serves those with insomnia or recovering from shift work and jet lag. The relaxed, easy feeling of the post-float glow is something that has to be experienced to be understood.

The only thing you need to bring is yourself, an excited and open mind for what’s to come, and maybe a hairbrush. We will provide everything else you need to have a relaxing and enjoyable float experience. Please see Before Your Float.

Some clients are so relaxed by their floats that they drift into a peaceful sleep. This is fine! You are truly feeling the relaxation effects of your session. The only danger is that you may turn your head and be awakened by the water.
The music that signals the end of your float gradually increases in volume, and is enough to wake up even the most sublimely relaxed of clients. We promise to play trumpets through the speakers of your float tank if our usual soft crescendo of music does not wake you up.

Yes. The incredibly high salt content of the water prevents bacteria and other microorganisms from surviving within the tank. In addition, we filter the water thoroughly, zap it with antimicrobial ultraviolet light, and use an odorless and safe disinfectant at an optimal level for sanitation. This is more than is done for any hot tub or swimming pool. As a result, the water is very clean. We also ask that clients use the showers in the float rooms before and after their sessions. Soap and shampoo are provided in the showers.

Yes! Please bring waterproof earphones and protection for your iPhone, and play the music or meditation at a low level so you can still hear the music that signals the end of your float. We don’t take responsibility for water or salt damage to your earbuds or iPhone, so please be careful and let us know how it goes so we can advise future floaters with the best knowledge available!

Absolutely! Please check first with your midwife or obstetrician, but pregnant people in all trimesters enjoy the relaxation and physical relief of weightlessness found while floating. In the womb-like chamber of the float tank, parents can feel an extra degree of closeness to their babies. We have heard rave reviews about floating while pregnant.

Our vision is for The Float Shoppe and The Float Shoppe Community Space and Yoga Collective to be comprehensive and well-rounded spaces offering an effective variety of alternative treatments and therapies. At the Float Shoppe, we offer both massage and floatation therapy.

Yes! Floating with dyed hair is perfectly okay. Please wait a week after you dye your hair before floating to make sure that any extra color has had the chance to rinse out. As long as you no longer see color coming out of your hair while you shower, you may float. Brightly colored hair, especially pink, seems to take much longer than a week to rinse out. If you are unsure, please just ask!

Yoga teacher Celeste says, “I float fine with my locks in a bun, but afterward I made sure to give them a good rinse and wash with vinegar water and Dr.Bronners – sometimes twice. It takes a while for locks to dry so I would suggest people bring a beanie to wear or use the hairdryer on their roots before they leave so their head isn’t cold. Salt water is supposed to be good for locks, helping them become tighter – so that’s a plus!” Another floater advised not to bring a beanie since this could prevent over-dampness of your locks, advising: “wearing a beanie while your dreads are not completely dry will result in poor drying climate and stinky dreads.” Bottles of each vinegar water and Dr. Bronners soap are provided and can be found in the showers.

Some conditions, such as a perforated eardrum, require that one does not submerge their head in water until the eardrum or other injury is completely healed. Please follow your doctor’s orders, and if you are unsure, then do not float until you have a clear answer that you may do so without risk of harm.

Please refer to the instructions you received with your piercing or tattoo regarding water submersion. You may need to wait a period of time before floating. Allow at least one month after you have received a new tattoo to consider floating in order to protect your art.

In most cases it is safe. The use of our provided Vitamin A&D ointment will protect any areas that may be sensitive to the salt water. It is possible that irritation or staining may persist, in which case more ointment is recommended or ceasing ones float.