I'm about 8 floats in as it currently stands. Sensory deprivation. Meditation. Pranayama. Darkness. Stillness. YOU. Deep rest. Recovery. Creativity. Clarity. Awareness. "Yes, I'm in a relationship with myself." What an artist date it is indeed. A little gift to the soul and the inner child within. Nurturing. Nourishing. Restorative in nature. Dreams. Writing. Ideas. All things come and go inside and outside.
I floated for the first time in 6 months today. It's been a while. It's been dark without much light. However, I felt ready for the float today. The mind was less busy. I noticed this when I sat to meditate this morning after some basic yoga stretches. After achieving some consistency with the 11min sessions, I bumped it up to the usual 20min. Sidenote: Start with 8mins a day, then 11 for a good while and then up it to 20min.
Therefore, this mornings meditation led me to believe I was ready for the float.
I wasn't able to relax as deeply as I have in the past because I noticed a lot of tension in my physical body considering how these last 6 months have developed. My legs, back and arms felt heavy and dropping my head back as the water entered my ears, I breathed deep and rhythmically to relax as deeply as I possible could. Trying easy. The owner suggested I have the heart whatever breathwork audio playing. Basically breathing in for 5.5s and then breathing out for 5.5s. There's a bell/chime for every inhale and exhale. Not emptying fully nor inhaling fully but just finding this smooth rhythm. It's suppose to take you into a deeper state of relaxation and consciousness. It was interesting.
However, I think I prefer doing my own pranayama instead of a guided session as dropping the head back means the sound is muffled as your ears are submerged in the water. Better doing the guided breathwork with the earplugs one can put in. I was surprised that I could lay relative still considering how the mind has been operating as of late. I'm grateful for the middle. The neutrality.
I felt relaxed and refreshed after as one usually does. Normally I'd write a few pages of thoughts or things that came up during the session. I didn't have the time as I had to head directly to work to teach my 3 evening yoga classes. I would if loved to sit down and draw or color a little bit post-float as there is usually this creative and expansive opening once you finish up the float therapy. And drawing has helped to keep me relaxed in the evenings as well as stimulating me creatively. I used to draw a lot as a kid. It was part of my growing up. I'll make sure to plan a drawing session after the next float.
I had never experienced proper anxiety until this year. Don't wait until it blows you out the water and takes over your life. Get on top of it sooner than later. Whatever tools you can try. Find one that takes the edge off. Floating could be one technique/tool. Slightly more expensive one. Seated meditation is free. But not every one has the will to sit upright for time. Lying on your back in a tank filled with Epsom salt and floating, being weightless feels so freeing and can be seen as a type or form of meditation. Over time one can develop there own techniques to add to the basic float session. Whether that be mantra or pranayama. It then becomes your own journey. No two floats will ever be the same.
Our first float might spark something in us that we may not have been able to connect with. Be it creativity, deep relaxation, a vacation for the senses, exploring the depths of our consciousness and subconscious.
If you're in Hong Kong and looking to experience float therapy, make sure to check out Float Co https://www.floatco.com/ - they'll make sure that your first experience is as smooth as can be and that you're well prepared for the experience that awaits you.
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