Float Therapy
Effortless relaxation and disconnection from daily life.
Restful Intentions
What is floating?
Float Therapy (a.k.a. Floatation Tank, Float Room/Pod/Spa/Chamber, Isolation Tank, Sensory Deprivation Tank, Floatation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), Flotation Therapy)
A large pool or room that contains a saturated solution of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate), provides a light and sound-reduced environment and is kept at skin temperature. This environment allows a person to float effortlessly without external stimuli for many purposes, including meditation, exploration, relaxation, and physical therapy.
A float tank is essentially the perfect oversized bathtub. The tanks vary in size, but our tanks are 8'x 6.5' with an 8' ceiling. Air is allowed to freely flow in and out, and the door never locks or latches. There are even open float pools with no covers or doors to enclose, just your own private pool.
Our float tanks hold about 10-12" of water, saturated with 1500 pounds of Epsom salt. This creates a 20-30% salt solution more dense than the Dead Sea. This means you float more easily. The high body buoyancy allows you to float on your back about half in and half out of the water. The water itself is kept at the average skin temperature (93.5° F), which allows you to lose track of your body. The tank is soundproof and, when you turn off the light, completely dark. No sensation of gravity, no touch, no sight, and no sound. Just pure nothing.
Without the constant pressure of analyzing the world around you, your body lowers its levels of cortisol, the main chemical component of stress. Not having to fight gravity lets your muscles, joints, and bones take a well-deserved break. Your body suddenly has loads of extra resources (usually spent supporting your weight, regulating temperature, and trying not to get speeding tickets), which it gets to focus on things like healing and resting.
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Unlike lying on a mattress, lying in water allows blood to flow freely all throughout your body. There’s no need to readjust your position to get comfortable. Research shows that about 40 minutes into your float your brain stops producing its normal Alpha and Beta waves and starts going deeper into a Theta and even Delta state. The magnesium-based Epsom salts we use also feel wonderful on your skin.
What to Expect
Float sessions are booked for actual float times, either 60- or 90-minutes in length. Our float sessions are 90 minutes in length. However, expect to be at the studio for approximately 30 minutes longer than your scheduled time. This allows for the time needed to shower before and after your float session.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for paperwork and pre-float information. Once you enter your float room you will shower and then begin your float session. You will be alerted to the end of your session, exit the float pool or tank, shower again to remove excess salt, dress, and leave the float room. There is a hair & make-up room to complete your post-float prepping.
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During your float session, you will naturally begin to relax as the magnesium sulfate penetrates the skin. You can feel free to remain motionless, go to sleep, or slowly & gently move in the water. Do whatever makes you comfortable. We have (and highly recommend using) earplugs to prevent getting water in your ears. Foam halo rings can be used to support your head if that makes you more comfortable. We even have pool noodles for additional support and comfort until you become familiar with floating, just let us know what you would like before your float session. If during your session you feel uncomfortable or want to talk to our float experts just use the in-tank speaker to directly connect and get what you need. There are options for lights, sounds, and minor temperature changes at your request.
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Floating Advice
To make your first float even better we have the following suggestions & requirements*:
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Shaving or waxing should not be done at least 24 hours before you float.
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Don't drink caffeine at least 6 hours before you float, this stimulant and might keep you from relaxing.
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Do eat a light meal a couple of hours before so you don't hear your digestive system working.
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Glasses better than contacts. Take out your contacts during your float session.
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Wait 72 hours to float after using spray or cream tans.*
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Wait 2-4 weeks to float after using temporary or permanent hair color.*
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Wait 4-6 weeks to float after adding a tattoo. It should be completely healed.*
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Wait until abrasions or open wounds are fully healed. Petroleum Jelly is provided for any little cuts or scrapes you forgot about.
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Take a shower at Kairos before floating to wash off oils, makeup or other earthy skin stuff. Just use the shampoo* on your hair, the conditioner will contaminate the float tank water.
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You WILL float - your ears will be underwater - wear the earplugs we give you.*
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You won't flip over on your face if you fall asleep.
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You can float with the lid open if you are anxious in an enclosed space.
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Try putting your hands behind your head to feel more stabilized if you are worried. You can also use the Floatease halo or ask for a pool noodle.
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Take a shower after floating to wash off the salt- your skin will feel so soft. Use can use both shampoo and conditioner now.
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Get dressed before coming out of your float room or if you have additional services feel free to use the cozy robe.
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We have a hair/makeup refresh area for you to pamper yourself.
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HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE! Pamper yourself with a bottle of water, tea, or juice from our drink bar.
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Let us know everything about your experience. We love all your suggestions! You can even write about your experience in our float journal.
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BOOK your next float and check out OTHER SERVICES to add more relaxing services.
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Stay CALM and refuse to be pulled into other people's drama. MAKE THIS MOMENT LAST.
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Prepare to have an amazing night's sleep.
Scientific Research (Looking for more scientific evidence? Search on PubMed​)
The Elicitation of Relaxation and Interoceptive Awareness Using Floatation Therapy in Individuals With High Anxiety Sensitivity. Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, Yeh H, Al Zoubi O, Arevian AC, Wohlrab C, Pantino MK, Cartmell LJ, Simmons WK, Stein MB, Paulus MP. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2018 Jun;3(6):555-562. doi: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.02.005. Epub 2018 Mar 9.
PMID: 29656950
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Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST.
Feinstein JS, Khalsa SS, Yeh HW, Wohlrab C, Simmons WK, Stein MB, Paulus MP. PLoS One. 2018 Feb 2;13(2):e0190292. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190292. eCollection 2018.
PMID: 29394251
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Promising effects of treatment with flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) as an intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): a randomized controlled pilot trial. Jonsson K, Kjellgren A.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016 Mar 25;16:108. doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1089-x.
PMID: 27016217
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Treating stress-related pain with the flotation restricted environmental stimulation technique: are there differences between women and men? Bood SA, Kjellgren A, Norlander T. Pain Res Manag. 2009 Jul-Aug;14(4):293-8.
PMID: 19714269
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The use of restricted environmental stimulation therapy in treating addictive behaviors. Borrie RA. Int J Addict. 1990-1991;25(7A-8A):995-1015. Review.
PMID: 2131327
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Restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a treatment for autistic children. Suedfeld P, Schwartz G.
J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1983 Sep;4(3):196-201.
PMID: 6630534
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Effects of flotation-restricted environmental stimulation technique on stress-related muscle pain: what makes the difference in therapy--attention-placebo or the relaxation response? Bood SA, Sundequist U, Kjellgren A, Nordstrom G, Norlander T. Pain Res Manag. 2005 Winter;10(4):201-9.
PMID: 16341307
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Schulz P, Kaspar CH. Biol Psychol. 1994 Mar;37(2):161-75.
PMID: 8003591