Sensory Deprivation Tank - Dreampod Sport Float Pod

How it Feels to Float

A flotation tank is a dark, soundproof chamber filled with highly concentrated Epsom salt water heated to skin temperature. This practice, known as sensory deprivation or floatation, involves relaxing in the tank, where all visual and auditory stimuli are removed, enabling users to enter a meditative state that refreshes both mind and body. The process is scientifically termed Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), which can shift brainwaves from alpha or beta to theta, often resulting in heightened creativity and problem-solving while remaining fully conscious.

Many athletes utilize REST for enhanced recovery and performance. Essentially, sensory deprivation involves minimizing sensory input; while blindfolds and earplugs are basic forms, a float tank eliminates all sight and sound. The warm air and water create an indistinguishable boundary between your body and the water, enhancing the sensation of weightlessness.

In the tank, external stimuli are effectively eliminated. The pitch-black environment restricts vision, and the only sounds are those of your own body. Floating in the Epsom salt water offers complete buoyancy, resulting in a sensation of zero gravity where traditional concepts of up, down, time, and space become irrelevant.

Sensory Deprivation Tank

Environment: The tank provides a controlled environment that eliminates sensory input—no light, sound, or tactile sensations (aside from the water). This isolation can create a unique state of consciousness that is difficult to achieve in a typical setting.

Physical Support: The buoyancy of the saltwater supports the body, allowing for complete physical relaxation without the discomfort that might arise during prolonged sitting or lying in traditional meditation.

Depth of Relaxation: The absence of external stimuli can lead to a deeper level of relaxation, often resulting in altered states of consciousness and profound introspection.

Duration: Sessions typically last from 60 to 90 minutes, allowing for extended periods of deep relaxation, which may not be as easily achieved in shorter meditation sessions.

Meditation

Sensory deprivation tanks provide a multifaceted approach to meditation, offering unique benefits that can enhance the overall meditative experience. By creating a serene environment that promotes relaxation and introspection, floating can serve as a powerful tool for personal growth, emotional healing, and mental clarity, making it a valuable addition to traditional meditation practices.

1. Focus and Awareness:

Reduced Distractions: The tank eliminates external sensory inputs—light, sound, and physical sensations—allowing individuals to focus inwardly. This aligns with the meditative goal of concentrating on the present moment without distractions.

Heightened Internal Awareness: As external stimuli are removed, users often become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, similar to mindfulness meditation, which emphasizes awareness of the present.

2. Relaxation Response:

Deep Relaxation: Like many forms of meditation, floating induces a deep state of relaxation. The buoyancy of the water supports the body, reducing tension and promoting a tranquil state, which is a key aspect of many meditative practices.

Stress Reduction: The calming environment helps lower cortisol levels, similar to the stress-relieving effects of traditional meditation, leading to a sense of peace and well-being.

3. Altered States of Consciousness:

Meditative States: Users often report experiencing altered states of consciousness, such as a loss of the sense of self or the perception of time. These states can mirror those achieved during deep meditation, where individuals may experience transcendent moments or deep insights.

Introspection: The isolation can lead to profound self-reflection and introspection, often resulting in insights about one’s thoughts and emotions, akin to the self-discovery and awareness fostered in meditation.

4. Mindfulness:

Present-Moment Awareness: Floating encourages mindfulness by fostering a deep sense of presence. Users can observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, which is a core principle of mindfulness meditation.

Letting Go: Just as meditation involves letting go of distractions and thoughts, floating allows users to release mental clutter, promoting a state of mental clarity and calm.

5. Personal Growth and Insight:

Self-Exploration: The introspective nature of the float experience can lead to personal insights and growth, similar to the insights gained through meditation practices that encourage self-exploration.

Enhanced Creativity: Many individuals report increased creativity following float sessions, which can be linked to the mental clarity and openness fostered during meditation.