Floating

[bluegargantua]

Hi,

So this Friday I finally got to try out Float Boston, the new float-tank place that opened up in Somerville. I'd picked up a two-pack of 90-minute sessions during their funding campaign. I've been curious to spend some time in one of these for years -- even before that Simpson's episode where Homer and Lisa both try it out.

It was not as the Simpson's episode depicted.

It was...interesting. I'd like to do it again, but I was expecting something a little more overt (even after adjusting for hyperbole) and this was fairly subtle.

Also, I *may* have cut myself getting into the tank. I'm not 100% certain but I did feel a stinging sensation and later found a small wound on the back of my calf I'm pretty sure I didn't have before getting in so...

The upshot here is that getting into the tank could be better explained/designed. The problem is that the lid is unwieldy so you push it all the way open. Then you get in. Now you have to close the lid behind you but that's difficult because pulling that down pushes you into the water which is eagerly trying to float you so it's hard not to slip but then the lid is out of reach....it's a bit of a trial.

Also, they give you earplugs. I found them tricky to install. They're this waxy seal you're supposed to pancake over your ears (but not into them). I did ok but I had to fiddle with it a bit.

Finally, if I just rest in the water with my hands by my sides and totally relax and go limp, my head rolls back (like in a backfloat) and my arms and shoulders are shoved up. I store a lot of tension in my shoulders so this is actually not the most comfortable thing. I had to shift positions around a bit -- but my range was a limited because I'm about the largest person you can fit in that tank.

So I mention a lot of hassles but despite all of this, I really did think it was interesting. Once you get settled and floating...my brain didn't turn off exactly but it did seem to slow down. The time passed more quickly than I thought. Certainly when you're out of the tank and sitting in the post-float room you're amazed at how much *stuff* there is in they physical universe. I'd recommend it to people and I do want to give it another shot.

Oh and I should mention that Float Boston offers these membership packs where you pre-pay for a set number of floats per month. The trick here is that a membership can be shared by up to three people so if folks wanted to go in together, they could make the cost per float pretty reasonable.

later
Tom

[EDITED TO ADD: Apparently there are pillows/pool noodles you can use to support your head (I was not informed). Also, the next expansion for Float Boston will put two "float rooms" into the facilities. These will be like large step-in showers that should probably be a lot easier to get into and more likely to work for larger folks like me.]

Comments

[ectropy.livejournal.com]

So those silicone earplugs should actually be rolled into a fat cone and the squished shallowly into the ear canal and form a seal. They just say not to push it in so dummies don't poke it all the way in and have to get a doctor to remove it.

[muffyjo]

Actually, having used them for sleeping for many many moons now, the directions vary. Some say to make a shallow cone, others pointedly say 'do not put inside ear canal'. Mostly, I have found, they cover the bottom part of your ear nicely and will fit themselves into the shape of your ear.

[muffyjo]

I am glad to hear folks enjoying it. They have been a great supporter of T@F for a while now and I'm all in favor of people using their services! I'm still on the fence.

[bluegargantua]

I think it's worth trying at least once.

[silentq.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the report! I've been trying to coordinate with a friend to book a time slot, it's good to know what to expect.