Floating weightless in skin-temperature salt water, in silence and dark
Floatation therapy takes place in a pod or room filled with about 25cm of water containing several hundred kilos of Epsom salt, heated to skin temperature. The salt makes the body float effortlessly, and with lights off and earplugs in, sensory input drops almost to nothing. Sessions last 60 minutes, and the private float room includes a shower for before and after.
People book it for deep rest, stress and muscle relief, and some studies have found reduced anxiety and improved sleep after floating, although the research base is still small. First floats can feel strange; most people find it easier from the second session, when the mind stops monitoring the novelty. You can leave the light on or the lid open if you prefer.
A 60-minute float costs about £45 to £70, with introductory offers for first-timers and packs for regular floaters. Avoid shaving or waxing on the day, as the salt stings. Floating is not suitable with open wounds, uncontrolled epilepsy or certain skin conditions; pregnant clients can often float after the first trimester with a centre that welcomes them.
Also known as: float tank, sensory deprivation tank, floatation pod.
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Usually £45 to £70 for 60 minutes. Many centres offer a cheaper first float or three-float introductory packages.
Most modern float pods and rooms let you keep the lid open or the light on, and you can leave at any time. Open float rooms are the best choice if enclosed spaces worry you.
Yes. The water is shallow and so dense with salt that you float on your back without any effort, and you can sit up at any time.
