“May the experience of nothing give you everything.”
Length of Float Sessions
Most people I speak with either want or ask if they should have a 30, 60, or 90-minute long float.
We offer both 60 or 90 minute long floats, & this is why.
60 and 90 minutes are the settled upon lengths, but it isn’t just merely for ease of scheduling. It is all about the Time away from the constant sensory stimulation.
There’s no universally accepted standard for the ‘perfect’ length of a float. There is no “right” answer, it’s a decision that each float customer must make. Usually by trying them.
And, for those who have many floats under their belt, or can drop into the meditation zone quickly & easily, a 30, 45, or even 75 min float can be sufficient, & beneficial. (They are booked for a 60 or a 90, you can leave when you’ve had enough, as you can for any time session.)
We really don’t care for any time less than 60 minutes, & here’s why.
30 Minute Floats
For those who are new to floating, this seems like the ideal time frame! However, a 30-minute float is actually Much more beneficial for those that are float-seasoned- or who have long-time meditation practices.
For new floaters, by the time you are actually in the float, touch all the buttons, feel all the feels, listen to your breathing ( & experiment with it!) you are likely to have relaxed for 10-15 or so minutes before the timer goes off. And you get out, often frustrated with the experience. And likely won’t try it again.
It is believed that about 40 minutes into your float your brain stops producing its normal Alpha waves and starts producing Theta waves. These are responsible for that ‘between-waking-and-sleeping’ state. While it only lasts for a few moments in your bed, you can achieve a prolonged Theta state in the tank, a state of consciousness that is usually only seen in children and people who have spent years practicing meditation.
60 Minute Floats
These offer a substantial float experience for the customer and are the most popular.
As a float center owner, offering 60-minute floats is simple: shorter appointment length means you can offer more opportunities to more customers to experience the incredible feelings & benefits floating offers!
We are programmed, indeed trained, to do things in 30 & 60-minute increments- 60 minutes is a very familiar length of appointment times for customers This “familiarity” in the length of time means that there is a comfort level here, in spite of the newness that cannot be accurately described.
So here’s the thing!-
I often say that there is pure magic in a 3x float commitment package-the first is the “touchy-feely” float- it’s new, ( SO new!) so you need to touch all the buttons, test the intercom, maybe cycle through all the lights, test the lid, push off the sides, etc. Then, when you Do relax, it is only a few minutes ( 10-20) before the timer goes off & you are left thinking, “Not for me- I didn‘t relax, feel all the things I heard about or thought I would…”
Book the 2nd one!! Come back in a few days & now, cognitively, you know where everything is. You know you are safe & secure, & you will relax faster, & possibly go deeper.
Now, book the 3rd one! The third one is quite likely the charm- several customers have mentioned that they felt “in the zone” Before their first shower! The third float is where you Really feel & experience what the power of floatation therapy is…
It is usually where people begin to experiment with longer session times. ( longest at Shuswap Float, is 3.5 hours. ( yes, Hours! Can you beat it?)
90 Minute Floats
While sounding a wee bit intimidating, or overwhelming, ( really, it’s “only” 30 minutes more ! ) 90-minute floats have a few benefits of their own which you might consider, especially if you’re looking to restore your mental clarity! Adding 30 min to the familiarity of 60-minute appointments can create much more of an “OH-WOW” effect for the customer. The sessions are perceived differently somehow. They are far more introspective, calming, & offer much more opportunity to truly relax.
You go deeper longer, rest more fully, stay recharged longer, relax more completely & furthermore, 90 minutes is more in line with a natural sleep cycle. This overlap may allow for a more natural beginning and ending of the float, and adds to physical familiarity.
60 And 90-minute float benefits? Body & Mind!
In either a 60 or 90 min float, people start to drift off & become super relaxed, & sort of in that “between awake and asleep” feeling, or a deep meditative state. (You also might fall asleep in the tank, which is totally normal.)
Several people report having had some amazingly creative ideas or they were able to “work out issues” during their float because the only thing they had to pay attention to was.. Nothing! A float is an Amazing tool for self-reconciliation, & just letting awareness surface
When the constant pressure & stress of analyzing the world around you has been decreased substantially, your body lowers its levels of cortisol, the main chemical component of stress. Your brain also releases elevated levels of dopamine and endorphins, the neurotransmitters of happiness. This is why you feel “So floaty” & calm afterward. We NEED this!
Not having to fight gravity lets your muscles and joints actually rest & relax. Your body doesn’t have to spend energy supporting your weight, or be regulating temperature, & so focuses on things like healing and restoring itself.
Regardless of the duration, everyone reacts differently to their time in the float. Some people are quiet, sleepy, introspective. Others feel renewed and are energetic & want to talk and share what they experienced. Some people are very sensitive to the noise & chaos of life after a float. (The more you float, the less it seems to bother you) so be kind to yourself!
Love this quote from Float Sanctuary that describes the experience — “May the experience of nothing give you everything.”
