Floating

 
When I first started to ‘float’ I didn’t know a lot about it; just that it was apparently a form of relaxation and good for recovery. These days, I can’t imagine my life without floating in it! Quite a big statement I know, but it really has had a significant impact on my life. Before my first float I was told not to research to much or to gather up any expectation of floating in my head before I did it. I am glad I did this, because I believe it helped me create my own unique experience of floating.
 
What is floating?
 
Basically floating is a form of deep relaxation that brings you to a state of complete mindfulness and stillness. It enhances recovery, muscle relaxation and alleviates pain and stress. Floating is done either in float tank, or a slightly smaller float pod. Some people who feel more claustrophobic prefer the float tank experience as you feel less closed in, and some prefer the smaller pods. I have experienced both the tank and the pod, and enjoyed both, but prefer the larger tank. I honestly believe that unless you have tried floating for yourself it is hard to relate to the experience and the feelings and benefits of the practice. It is also important to realise that each person experiences floating differently, and each float itself can also be very different from the others. The pods and tanks contain around 55% Epsom salt which enables the body to naturally stay on the surface. It is similar to the idea of laying in the Dead Sea. The temperature is set at body temperature and the float booths are soundproof. This enables complete sensory deprivation. Sixty minutes in a float tank is meant to correspond to four hours of sleep!
 
 
What floating has done for me?
 
I have found that with each float that I do I seem to be able to ‘switch’ my brain off and fall into a meditative state more quickly than when I first started to float. The immediate benefits I noticed from floating where mostly physical, related to overall relaxation and muscle recovery after hard trainings. It wasn’t until I had been floating regularly that I began to realise the impact it was having on my clarity of thoughts, general calmness, stress levels, creatively and productivity. It has had such a big impact on some relatively large decisions I have made in my life recently that I have since connected to coincide with changes since I began floating. It is quite surreal to have connected these parts of my life to floating. I literally can’t explain it. All I can explain is that the changes have been positive, productive ones and I am so grateful for floating to have had this impact on me.  
 
Keen to give floating a go?
 
I am really lucky to be a float ambassador for Infinity Float, which is based in Botany, Auckland. To find out more about how you can try floating for yourself and a wealth of information on what floating is and where the idea came from visit their website www.infinityfloat.co.nz If you would like to do a float feel free to message me for more information and for my discount code to use for your first float.
Floating is a quite new in New Zealand. I would love to hear about floating experience of others, and your thoughts on this unique concept.