Well before they opened I was intrigued by the tagline of Float Sechelt which promised a chance to relax and accomplish absolutely nothing.
For someone who is freakishly task oriented, doing nothing for 90 minutes seemed like a cool way to experience hydrotherapy while taking a break from the ordinary.
The folks at Float Sechelt one of only a handful of float shops in B.C. do believe in total relaxation, but there is much more on offer here than stress release and a tranquil state of mind. Floating has myriad benefits beyond buoyancy.
Co-owners and lifelong friends Brenda Houle and Kari MacDonald are so passionate about their experiences and research into floating they decided to open a studio.
Your body is totally suspended in the sensory deprivation chamber and it's a real sense of escape, said Houle.
But all I can think of as I ease my naked self into the warm, Epson-salted waters of the private floating chamber is how Ive instantly popped to the surface and morphed into a gravity-free being or perhaps a champagne cork. It takes absolutely no effort to stay afloat. Then I reach up and close the door and thats when the sense of escape really sinks in.
The 4ft-by-8ft -tank looks like a personal-sized spaceship dropped into a classic and relaxing spa setting, bathed in a soothing blue backlit glow. Each of two soundproof rooms has its own shower and changing area, robe, slippers, towels and earplugs. The water has nine times the concentration of mineral salts of the ocean and feels silky.
Wearing earplugs while floating is recommended, to keep the salt water out and enhance sensory/sound withdrawal, but the choice to leave the door of the chamber open or closed is up to you. With the door shut, it is completely dark and virtually soundproof.
Because the water is the same temperature as my body, the sensation of being at one with the liquid incites a calm feeling of unity. There is also near instant relief in my tweaked shoulder as my sore body is cradled by the water and unhindered by gravity.
The first time I floated I was really aware of my heartbeat, notes MacDonald. But not the next time.
MacDonald and Houle stress that floating is a very personal experience.
The first time you go in your mind might be pre-occupied with details, said MacDonald. Then you'll chill out a little more the next time.
Ninety minutes is said to be the ideal time to float and relax, allowing stress to dissolve while natural endorphins release. The beauty of the private room is that clients who may be unsure of the procedure can go in and get out whenever they want to.
I stay in for the full 90, with the door open a crack for part of the time then closed completely to soak in the experience. In addition to feeling totally relaxed after the float, my shoulder mobility has improved considerably and the relief lasts for days. Mentally, I am in the chill zone.
The benefits of soaking in Epson salts is backed by tons of scientific research and results in muscle relaxation and pain relief, explains MacDonald.
Improved athletic recovery and performance, strengthened immune system and relief from pregnancy discomfort are some of the other purported benefits.
Some people come simply to relax and others come for the physical relief. I just came to float, but happily experienced a bit of both.
Curious? Float Sechelt is hosting an open house this Friday April 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at 5652 Dolphin Street, Sechelt.
