Well it all came about when my mum and I went shopping in Exeter. We happened to come across the Eden Day Spabeauty salon. I pointed it out to my mum but noticed that it was down two flights of steps. Being 34 weeks pregnant, I asked mum if she could go down and get a leaflet. So she obliged, but seemed to be down there quite a while.
Meanwhile, on a plasma screen upstairs I was able to see footage of the different treatments they did. One was strange, and seemed to have a girl lying in a shell like contraption. Anyway, after about 5 minutes, my mum came back upstairs and said that she was going to treat me and get two one hour floatation sessions for the price of one for my birthday and for being so pregnant! She explained about the shell-like
contraptions and seemed to get the feeling that they weren't that claustrophobic.
So I went downstairs, not knowing what to expect. They kindly showed me the room which had the shell-like tank in it with it's own personal shower. There was roughly 12 inches of water inside the shell containing a lot of epsom salts. A towel and neck pillow were provided, plus a jar of vaseline to put on any cuts or abrasions you might have.
I was a bit wary about the situation and used the excuse that I didn't have a swimsuit, but they said that it was fine. I also wondered if it was fine for being pregnant, and they said it was ideal for my condition.
So I braved everything, got undressed and got inside the shell wearing the neck pillow. My mum sat outside the room. I couldn't believe that such a small amount of water was going to hold my weight, especially at the moment, but it did and I began to float. I pressed the button to lower the lid of the cocoon. Music was playing, it began to get dark and the only light I had was at the bottom feet end with about 7 red lights. With my eyes closed, I managed 2 minutes, but as soon as I opened my eyes I began to panic and felt like I was in a coffin! I scrabbled to the right of me to find the button again and first found the one to DIM the lights, not good, then pressed the one to open up the lid.
Luckily, at this point, though I don't know why, my mum came in the room. I explained to her what happened and she said that she would stay in the room with me. This made me feel better somehow, as although it must be safe, she could be there if the lid would not open.
So, I closed the lid again and braved it trying to relax. With my big pregnant bump, it was quite hard to relax my back but after a while it relaxed whilst I had my eyes closed. I could hear traffic outside and people in the spa, but bless my mum, she kept still and quiet so not to distract me. It was hard to relax because my baby kept kicking me all the way through, so I guess he liked it!
After a time, I began to get used to the sensation and managed to keep my eyes open and begin to move on the water. I asked my mum how long I had been in there and she said 40 minutes. That was how long it had taken for me to get used to it.
After the hour was up, my mum advised me that the lights had come on in the room. Obviously, I couldn't see this, but I was advised that music would start again when time was up if I was on my own. When I first got in the tank the music stopped after 5 minutes. I was told that I could have had continuous music, which I will ask for next time.
Another problem I had when trying to relax was my breathing. While in the cocoon you were breathing warm air continuously, which made me feel like I was not getting enough oxygen. So I was trying to concentrate on that as well.
Opening the lid was a relief as I could breath properly once again. I had a shower (somewhat cold first of all, as I couldn't work it out!), and washed with the supplied bodywash and shampoo. I felt quite refreshed after this.
It was a very surreal experience and I have another session to go to. I can't say that I am entirely looking forward to it, but I must say that that night I had the best sleep in ages. Being pregnant, you get up a few times in the night, but I slept virtually like a fat log all the way through!
The salon manager explained that her first time in the tank, she could only do 50 minutes but after that she got used to it straight away and goes in every day before work. I just hope that I can get used to it straight away next time.........
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I really fancy doing one of these, not sure about the bit where you say about breathing in the warm air though!
star123super 11.09.2004 02:03
Floating it's great, fantastic and amazing - great nights sleep afterwards - not at all claustrophobic - in fact the opposite - almost felt like infinity in there - weird I know - but true. Apparently it's like the dead sea - ie nothing harmful can live in there and it's filtered afterwards with a very slight chlorine level or so they told me at the Floatworks in London. Been 3 times now and it just gets better I would say it's profound and uplifting with the effects from my last session lasting well over a week!
JessL 06.11.2003 17:41
Hmm - do they change the water after each person, though? Sounds great, but slightly strange! x
We know that spending an hour in a tank of water might sound at first like a David ... more
Blaine-style stunt - but in fact this experience is about total relaxation. You'll lie in a quiet, darkened room in a warm solution of Epsom salts, about 10 inches deep ...
Postage & Packaging: £3.91 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: It's the most effective way I've found to relieve stress and back pain Disadvantages: If you don't live near a float center, you need to own one
OrganicPhoto 10.04.2007 (14.01.2008)
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Review of Flotation Tank
Advantages: It's the most effective way I've found to relieve stress and back pain Disadvantages: If you don't live near a float center, you need to own one
OrganicPhoto 10.04.2007 (14.01.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Flotation Tank
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