You’ll Float Too!

Let me just start by saying that I’m so incredibly happy that I finally started floating and I’m quite certain that by the end of this post, you’ll (wanna) float too!

For WELL OVER a year I’d been contemplating doing a float, but that was essentially the extent of it, just a contemplation. I’d read all about the numerous health benefits, shared my intent to go with anyone who’d listen, thought about it quite frequently, yet somehow never managed to actually make it happen. Well, that all changed for me in mid-January.

FLOAT STL (@floatingstl) gave me a follow on Instagram after I double-tapped a @muralsofstlouis post that showcased the exterior facade of FLOAT STL’s MidTown location. I took this follow of theirs as an obvious sign that it was FINALLY time for me to float and not even an hour after they gave me that follow, I was giving them a call to make my first float appointment!

That was back in January, now fast forward to March. I’ve since had my SECOND FLOAT and found myself loving it even more in round two than I already did in round one! Let me just say floating is my new favorite thing and I love it so much!

For those of you unfamiliar with what a float is you’re probably wondering what in the world I’m even talking about! I know I would be! So before I share my own personal experience, let me share the information I lifted from floatingstl.com to answer your what in the world is a float questions!

People describe things all the time as being unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. Well, let me tell you what, this truly was unlike anything I’VE EVER experienced!

As soon as I stepped into FLOAT STL, I was warmly greeted by the pleasantly humid air and the exceptional staff. Immediately I was invited to remove my shoes and coat, which I slid underneath a bench and hung on a rack respectively. I fell in instant love with the ambiance of the interior, it was truly peak zen.

There were real life plants growing everywhere throughout the facility! Vines that had traveled up the support columns and walls and all across the ceiling amplified the potted plants placed about. The abundance of sunlight pouring in from the large front window and the moisture in the air from the float pools inevitably made this as equally of an inviting environment for the plants as it did for the patrons.

As I sipped on the water given to me from the chilled glass vase, I meandered around the space taking it all in. There were a couple meditation rooms off to the side of the main portion that were set apart by a series of curtains and drapes that could be arranged in such a fashion that one could meditate in public or private. The Infrared Sauna that sat in the back corner in what could also become a private room was quite eye-catching up close with its color-changing lights. The entire ambiance of the building was everything I was hoping it to be and more. I came to float in hopes of unlocking the inner-workings of my brain, so that I can refocus my life on my quest to publish my book, Shithead. This was the exact kind of energy and space I needed to prepare me for the float. I was loving every square inch of this “of the earth” vibe.

When it had become my time to float, a member of the extremely hospitable staff led me back to my private chamber. Inside there was a small vanity and chair to place any belongings I’d brought along as well as a couple hooks on the wall to hang garments from. There was a sizeable overhead shower for use before and after floating. After a quick tutorial, the wonderful staff member left the space and I locked the door behind her. After undressing myself, I stepped under the shower and rinsed myself off. I’d brought with me a real cute pair of Polo Ralph Lauren swimming trunks that I had intended to wear while floating, but decided instead to do this in the nude following everyone’s recommendation. The privacy and serenity of the space felt both safe and inviting and I’m so thankful I chose to forego the swimming trunks because it was such a freeing experience lying in that water completely naked. I absolutely loved it.

I came to float to completely free my mind, so I took all the precautions I could to eliminate the need for as many of my senses as I was able. I wanted the complete sensory deprivation experience. I turned out all the lights and floated in complete and total darkness eliminating the need for sight. The water is the same exact temperature of one’s body, so you lie there not truly knowing where your body ends and the water begins, thereby erasing one’s sense of touch. With a pair of recommended earplugs in, I was able to rest my head effortlessly in the water allowing my ears to fall below the surface, this ensured I heard nothing. The only senses I couldn’t successfully rid myself of were smell and taste.

The chamber certainly doesn’t smell strongly or terribly or anything like that, but there is a slight smell of cleanliness that is there. Additionally, each time I sat up for whatever reason I did, I seemed to find myself being able to taste the water that had dribbled into my mouth from the top of my head. Past that though, I was completely free to explore the inner-workings of my mind.

Knowing exactly what to expect, my second float was an infinitely better experience. It feels a bit awkward and strange at first and because of that slight uncomfortableness, I tried to fight the float in my first session. Because of this self-imposed conflict, I squandered an easy twenty minutes of the sixty minute experience. Once I gave up trying to control myself and just gave in to my surroundings, I was able to fully benefit from the float. I had to just allow my body to be worked by the water and I’m so thankful I did because I then had the most incredible time, which is what propelled me to become a FLOAT STL Member.

Without any sense of it, time flies by inside the chamber and I absolutely loved that aspect of the float. It was interesting for me where my mind wandered. I tried to focus on thoughts about my book, which I was mostly successful in, but I did find myself thinking about a variety of other topics as well. Most interesting was a random thought about a time I had in Disney California Adventure Park when I experienced a truly jaw-dropping celebrity encounter, which I’ve decided is most definitely blog-worthy! Can’t wait to share it! No idea why it popped in my head, but there it was! Must mean something!

My second floating experience was enhanced with a thirty minute sauna session that I enjoyed before my float. I also did this naked and found sitting and lying there in the extreme heat to be a wonderful precursor to my eventual float. I loved it and am so thankful I added this to all my future sessions. I couldn’t believe how much I was sweating, but it felt fantastic!

Floating is one of the most relaxing experiences I’ve ever had in my entire life! In fact, I was so incredibly relaxed following my first float that I left and forgot to bring my coat back along with me! I rolled out of there in the middle of January with NO coat on and was so incredibly at ease and at peace that I didn’t even notice till I was three minutes from my house! Naturally, I turned around and went back and got it, but I wasn’t even bothered by this because I felt such a sense of relaxation and rejuvenation that all was still right in the world – even if I was a bit cold!

No matter what stage of life you’re in, I’m convinced that you’ll greatly benefit from a float! I don’t honestly have bad days and rarely feel truly stressed, but the amount of destressing the float brought to me and the calmness and centering of my energy was such a natural blessing. I obviously found this experience to be very beneficial (if you will) and went into this with the expectation of loving it and did so to such an extent that I bought a three month membership and even then I can’t imagine allowing my membership to expire past April! The benefits FAR outweigh my $39 a session membership price tag! I just feel so unbelievably happy and healthy each time I emerge from a float that it’s my honest belief that everyone should experience this experience! I promise that once you do, you’ll float too!

FLOAT STL has a referral program and if you give them my code when booking, you’ll save yourself $10 off the price of a sixty or ninety minute float! Why pay more, right? I would STRONGLY recommend visiting floatingstl.com and booking yourself a float session! It’s the best new thing I’ve done in ages!

my promotional code: bd-848069

As always, thank you so much for reading! Feel free to leave me any comments/questions/concerns or thoughts below! You know I LOVE reading and responding to anything and everything written for me! I will be happy to answer any looming questions one might still have and further encourage you do pursue this incredibly liberating exercise!

I would like to note that I didn’t list this as a Spotlight St. Louis blog post because there are float facilities all over the world and since verybeneficial.net has a global audience, I thought I’d leave it as a blanket statement of encouragement. HOWEVER, if you’re in St. Louis, DEFINITELY go to FLOAT STL (floatingstl.com)! You’ll be SO very thankful you did!