Tag: floatopia

#23 Visit a Floatation Tank

Screen Shot 2018-07-22 at 11.27.16 PMA couple of years ago, Brandon told about this “sensory deprivation chamber” that he wanted to try out east somewhere. It never came to pass, but it piqued my interest and having been to Floatopia for the salt cave, I knew just where to go to get my senses deprived. This time we went as a family. Four people – four float pods. When I’d gone to the salt cave the lovely owner James gave me the promo code MYFIRSTFLOAT to float for half price. So this Sunday we found ourselves all home at the same time and embarked on our family float.

The place is really well appointed, clean and pretty. We were given the instructions – first take a shower to remove body oils and hair product, put earplugs in, open the full size glass door and gently lower yourself into the “pod” of water being super careful not to slip on the really slippery tile as you step into really slippery salted water. Each pod contains 1200 pounds of epsom salt, creating an amazingly buoyant, soft, slippery water. Like you can’t sink if you try.

Once comfortable, you had the choice to leave the light on (any color of your choosing) or their recommendation – go full on darkness. The water is heated to 93.5 degrees – typical skin temperature, so once you settle in and let yourself trust the water, you feel nothing. Nothing. You no longer feel the water, you no longer feel your body. It’s like being suspended in mid-air. I actually likened it to being a piece of fruit cocktail in Jello.

I kept the light out initially, then played with the colors and ultimately decided to welcome darkness, my old friend. I had a hard time relaxing at first, but in time gave myself into the weightlessness and eventually fell asleep for a brief time. At the end of the 90 minute session, music indicates it’s time to gather your reality and the lights come up and it’s time to exit.

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After the float we met up in the lounge area for a cup of tea and to compare notes. June LOVED it and can’t wait to go back. Craig, like me, had a hard time relaxing initially and was able to talk himself through what could have become a panic attack, ultimately enjoying the experience. Brandon saw lights, silhouettes and a moving vortex in the darkness and I’m considering getting him psychiatric help.

Recommended by Brandon Boiarsky
Completed 7/22/18

#22 Visit a Salt Cave

So you know how you buy those Groupons and then never get around to using them? Oh…that’s just me then. Well I bought one for an online class to get recertified in CPR. Then I decided I didn’t care about saving lives, so totally forgot to use it. Groupon kindly reminded me of it the day after it expired but offered to allow me to put that $20 toward another offer. So naturally, I chose the next best thing to breathing life into a human…a visit to a salt cave for a little halotherapy.

Floatopia, a new float spa and salt cave in Dix Hills offered a 45 minute session for $17. (Cha-ching! I still have $3 sitting in my Groupon coffers!) I made sure to make an appointment for two days after I bought it. This expiration thing wasn’t gonna get me again!

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I was the only one scheduled for the time slot so it was just me and three empty chairs in a darkened room surrounded by and carpeted in salt crystals. The owner explained to me that salt air is pumped in at a level that equates to spending 5 days at the beach and the inhaled salt helps kill bacteria, and break down mucous and pollutants lodged in the respiratory tract. I assumed that was a good thing. The session started with an audio introduction of what to expect and then became ambient sounds of thunder, waves and birds. I wasn’t sure I should spend 5 days at the beach during a thunderstorm, but since it was being condensed into 45 minutes, I went with it.

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There’s also a lovely trickling fountain against one of the walls. That was pretty. Until I had to pee. Then it was excruciating. I used the facilities before going in, but apparently all the water I drank prior was kicking in and in the last 20 minutes I sat with my legs crossed doing a bit of a pee pee dance in my zero gravity chair.

It was an interesting experience, but I’m not certain I’d do it again. Maybe it’s one of those things where you need to go frequently in order to feel any of the myriad of health benefits they tout.

Suggested by me
Completed 7/12/18