Friday Floating

I’ve just arrived home after a new experience at a nearby place called Float Level. This is located within was is known as the Chips Building, and is conveniently right next door to the building where I live. It comes highly recommended to me by a friend who goes there herself once a month, and who dropped round for a cup of tea shortly before her last visit, and told me much about it. She had mentioned it before, but I didn’t act upon the recommendation on those occasions. This time however I thought it was high time I actually gave it a try, so I booked my first “float” there and then for Friday 29th March 2019 at 7pm. You might think I’d chosen this day to calm myself from the shock of leaving the European Union on this day. Although we are not leaving then now, but rather on 12th April, now that the deal has been rejected in Parliament for the third time, or whenever it changes to next. This is not the reason I chose this day, but rather because Friday’s are the days I feel most in need to relaxation, and this experience promised to be very relaxing indeed.

So what is it exactly? We’ll get to that. I wandered out my front door, down the lift, out of the complex and over the canal, via the lock, to the door that said Float Level above it. To my surprise the door was locked, even though the light was on and clearly there were people inside. They through the steamed up glass signalled to go around to the other side of the building, which I did, and eventually made it to the reception. I was given a warm welcome by the lady on reception, who greeted me with “Is it James?”, “Yes it is” I replied. I was then invited to remove my shoes and socks, and replace them with a pair of slip-on sandals, which would be mine for the duration of my visit. After placing my socks inside my shoes, and placing my shoes on the shoe rack, I followed the recommendation to use the toilet before using the tank, as it would be most inconvenient if I needed to go whilst in the float tank. Or “float pod” as it may more affectionately be called. This also provided the opportunity to take my new footwear for a spin. Upon arriving back in the reception area I hear “We’re just waiting for two more people, and then we can begin the induction”. “Two more people plus me equals three, and there are three pods. I’m glad they have an efficient booking process”, I thought.

The others arrived, and upon receiving a similar welcome as myself, we were guided into pod room number one, where the induction was to take place. Inside this room was a giant white curved contained (also known as a pod), which was much larger than I had imagined. I was thinking it would be something slightly wider than a bathtub, but this was twice as wide as that. I had also considered that being quite tall (6’3″), would the pod be long enough for me? This concern was instantly averted, since it was clear it was at least seven foot long.

The lady now lifted the lid of the pod, to show us the quite spacious interior. It was perhaps one third filled with water and an orange light emanated from beneath the surface at the back. This made it appear most welcoming and I was very pleased to notice how clean it seemed. On each side of the interior we were pointed to observe two buttons – one to turn the orange light on and off, and another to call for help. Apparently people often get the two buttons mixed up, and call for help when they mean to turn off the light, or turn the light on and off when they mean to call for help. The latter I find the most amusing for some reason. We were shown the handle to pull the lid down, once inside, and also advised to move slowly. I agreed that this was a good idea and that moved chaotically inside the sealed container filled with water would be a recipe for disaster.

Next we were shown the waterproof earplugs that would enhance our floating experience, and a sachet of vaseline, should we have any cuts or grazes that need protecting. In order to keep water out of our ears we were advised to put the earplugs in before entering the shower, which stood in the corner of the room, and was to be used prior to entering the floatation tank. On the wall of the shower were three bottles – Pre-float, Post-float and Conditioner. Apparently a different shampoo and body wash are required before floating compared with afterwards. I understand the first has something to do with removing grease. That doesn’t apply to me of course. I am always impeccably clean :-S. Further formalities ensued explaining what would happen over the course of the one hour experience before I was shown to the room that I would be using. I was in room number one, which she seemed to emphasise when she showed me. This made my feel important, and in my mind I praised her for her hospitality capabilities.

I was now alone in my room, and whilst locking the door I wondered if I would remember all the instructions I had been given, simple as they may be. I started by locating my earplugs and tearing open their packet. The instructions said to separate the two earplugs, roll each one into a ball, and flatten them into the ears. I did this, and was impressed how snuggly them moulded into place. I wondered why I had never used earplugs like this before, and usually only use the foam ones that you compress and let expand within the ear. Perhaps these would be better when staying in hostels, or whilst camping with a certain family member.

After showering and taking care to use the correct body wash, it was time to enter the floatation tank. I raised the lid and stepped inside., and was pleased to note how warm the water was on my feet and ankles. I lay down slowly, pulling the lid down, sealing myself inside as I lay floating in the water. It was a very strange sensation. I imagine this is how people feel when they lie in the Dead Sea, which is what the whole concept is based upon. As I bobbed about I resolved to lie as still as possible and try to get into a relaxed state, Gentle music then began playing inside the tank. It was the kind of music I’m used to hearing sometimes when I go for a massage. Something I also did last Friday. It was a Thai massage, where my limbs were stretched in various different ways. It was excellent.

So as the gentle music slowly soothed me, I began acclimatising to this new environment. The orange light was still on, and I immediately felt it would be more immersive with the light off. Taking care to push the right button and not call for help, off the light went. I lay back into the water and recognised that I was now in total darkness. I lay back into the water, opening and closing my eyes, and noticed that it didn’t make any difference. I shifted my attention to become aware of the different parts of my body. I’m used to doing this anyway as an important part of my daily Vipassana meditation, and quickly noticed how tense many parts of my body were. No doubt this is its response to this most unusual circumstance I had suddenly put it in. I moved my awareness though my body and released the tension one part at a time. Then I would lie for a few moments and then become aware of somewhere else I could release tension from. Eventually I was able to lie perfectly still and increasingly more relaxed. The last part to relax was my head, which was unconsciously keeping itself pushed above the surface with my neck tensed. I allowed this to sink lower into the water and gain the confidence that if I let go completely my head would still comfortably float on the water. Sometimes I would float to the side of the tank and feel the pressure against my arms or toes. After a few minutes I learned to stay in the centre.

I found myself comparing it to lying in a bath. On many occasions over the years I had noticed if a relax myself in the bath and breath in, I float upwards, and when I breath out I sink down again. In practice I just subtly and deliberately stop this from happening, but I had definitely wondered if it would be possible to stay floating on the surface without having to hold my breath, and what that might feel like. A feeling I realised I was now experiencing at this very moment.

The feeling of being suspended on the water whilst staying completely still is difficult to describe. It is certainly a very pleasant and relaxing sensation. When lying relaxing on say a comfortable chair or a bed, you can feel the pressure pushing back against you. But here this is not the case. Only the feeling of the water. It was very enjoyable to just bask in this feeling for maybe ten minutes or so. After which time the music stopped, and the pitch black was now accompanied by the sound of complete silence. I can’t remember the last time I had been somewhere as quiet as this. Occasionally I would hear the lapping of the water when I made subtle movements, but I as I became more accustomed to the experience, and more immersed into it, I also got better at keeping still. After which, even those subtle sounds would disappear. Then I realised there was actually a sound that I wasn’t noticing, and I must have been tuned out of. A sound that would never disappear. The sound of my heart beating. Lay floating on the surface of salt water, in the silent darkness listening to my heart beating was quite surreal, but also most enjoyable. At one point I noticed a very subtle fluttering sensation on a small part of my arm, something which isn’t as unusual as I once thought. This happened in perfect synchronisation with one of the heart beats. I was getting an increased awareness of the flow of blood around my body. I felt more connected with myself somehow, and in that moment it was as if I didn’t have a care in the world.

I had completely lost track of time by this stage and had no clue how long was left of my one hour float experience. I emerged out of some kind of trance state and my thoughts began flowing more freely. As frequently happens when I allow my mind to quieten, the things that I’m most enthusiastic about begin to rise to the surface, seemingly of their own accord. I began getting excited about other things I could write about, and my mind seems to automatically offer ideas without any effort, and arrange them for me, accompanied by the energy and excitement I need to take action with them.

This reminds me of back in 2016, when I arrived home from my trip around the United States feeling quite exhausted. The experiences were excellent, but it took its toll on my body and mind. Apart from going to work (that software won’t build itself), I stopped doing most of the things I was doing, and just wanted to stay in and rest most of the time. But during this time I was able to feel very relaxed indeed, and something rose up from within making me aware of what I really want to be doing with my time, such as reading and salsa dancing (Flash Mob in St. Peter’s Square tomorrow. Yay!). It also highlighted things I was doing just for the sake of being busy. Since then I’ve been doing increasingly the things that fulfil me and less of the things that do not. Taking time to completely relax my mind and remove external stimulation on many occasions over the last few years has increasingly strengthened this effect. I think the importance of doing this cannot be overstated.

I will pause for one second to note that whilst one part of my mind is working brilliantly for me, another part clearly is not. I’m so immersed in the enjoyment of writing this article that I accidentally put my oven on grill mode rather than, well, oven mode; and now I’m having to eat a sweet chilli chicken pizza that has been mistakenly grilled, and is slightly blacker than I would have preferred. Dammit!

Anyway, I’m in the float pod, and I wonder if I might move around a little bit rather than staying completely still. I gently simulate the motion of making snow angels in the snow, but on the surface of the salt water instead. That in itself is very relaxing. Perhaps it is a bit like the effect of Tai Chi. And what is this I have discovered? If I point my arms upwards instead of downwards I can remove the effect where my hands naturally drift back against my legs, which was taking away from the effect of feeling like I was floating in isolation from anything external.

The music gradually fades back in, and I realise I’m in the last five minutes of the float. I take a deep breath and see if I relax any further. Eventually the internal light comes on and I know I have reached the end. The light is a sky blue, and because the ceiled of the tank is perfectly white and blemish free, I actually felt as though I was looked at the sky on a sunny cloudless day. Time to get out. I raised the lid and slowly climbed out. “That was brilliant”, I thought. The pod starting humming as it began its cleaning cycle. I showered off, got dressed, unlocked the door and left the room. I was greeted by a large glass of ice water, with a slice of lemon, and invited to sit in the relaxation area. The chairs were cushioned and had a wooden frame with a bit of spring in them. Very comfortable. I always appreciate it when a place like this has somewhere to relax afterwards, and I can take my time leaving. I was still in a warm gentle buzz from the experience and this way I could continue it a little longer. Most notably this also happened after a massage at the Midland Hotel spa a couple of years ago, which I treated myself to with a voucher bought for me by my cousin one Christmas. There after the massage there was a relaxation room, with tents hanging from the ceiling with see-through net sides, filled with cushions on the inside, which I lay on for a good thirty minutes. Clear glass containers heated by candles offered a selection of teas to further complement it all, and I thought this is an excellent way to end such an experience. So I was glad to see that this place adopted a similar attitude.

Time to leave and I wander over back to reception, and to reclaim my shoes. “You’ve paid the £20 deposit”, she says. “So that just another £15 to pay.” On the wall it says “Introductory offer for new customers only. 3 floats for £75”. I said I’ll have this one as part of that. My next one is booked in for next month.