February 24, 2011

Floating In A Sensory Deprivation Tank

Filed under: General — mmrobins @ 11:27 pm

I did my second float in a sensory deprivation tank tonight at Float On. This consists of floating on your back for 90 minutes in a tank of salt water (you’re very buoyant in salt water) that’s a bit over a foot deep, keeps all light out, and wearing earplugs to block external noise and keep salt out of your ears. Both experiences were very different, but very worthwhile.

My first float it took me a little while to get used to the idea of being in a new space and in salt water. I quickly found out that you shouldn’t get the salt water on your face since it dries later and becomes uncomfortable. I had to get out of the tank to wash my face with fresh water before going back in. The other thing that was notable was that I was sore from some recent exercise, so I had trouble letting go of the awareness of the soreness and found I needed to stretch a lot to be comfortable. I finally settled into a relaxed state, lost track of time, and then felt like it was too short by the time it was done. They play some gentle classical music when it’s time to get out.

Tonight my brain was on a rampage all float. It wouldn’t quiet down. I started off trying to make the session like one of my meditation sessions where I notice the thoughts to start, focus on breathing, and by the end have a much more focused awareness and fewer stray thoughts. That didn’t go well, and for a while it frustrated me. Then I gave into it and let my mind wander. I started contemplating all sorts of possibilities and questions. I thought about trying to do a stand up comedy act, building an android app that interfaces with a Zeo headband that could monitor brainwave activity all day, different ways to solve work problems, some books I’d like to write, implications of genetic technology, photo projects I’d like to complete and even what I was going to write in this blog post. I had a few moments of quiet relaxation, but every time I thought I’d settle into that mode it was like my brain got a jumpstart. By the end I was a little tired from thinking and ready to get out have some sensory distraction again.

It’s a really cool experience in a complementary way to my meditation time. It’s a bit pricey at $40, and leads me to wonder about building my own tank, but I can definitely see it as a tool for achieving desirable states of mind. A few tips I’d share to make the experience better: blow your nose, go to the bathroom, stretch and do anything else you’ll need to do to be comfortable for 90 minutes without moving much. It’s kind of obvious if you think about it, but it’s worth reminding yourself before you go in. And don’t get salt on your face.

2 Comments »

  1. 90 minutes seems like a very long time.

    Comment by Martin — March 2, 2011 @ 2:53 pm

  2. And so close to home.

    Comment by Martin — March 2, 2011 @ 3:02 pm

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