OPINION – Sometimes I just need to take a break from gravity; I keep sending NASA my resumé but they must not be hiring right now.
Lucky for me, I recently discovered floatation therapy at Elite Day Spa, 491 E. Riverside Drive, No. 4B in St. George.
It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
Float with Ali:
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If you’re considering taking the plunge, here’s everything you need to know – including the details of my first float.
Before the float
- Don’t wear any makeup, hair product, lotion or perfume
- Don’t shave 12-24 hours prior to floating
- No caffeine (Red Bull included) two hours prior to floating
- Eat something light 30 minutes prior to your session
- If you’re a first-timer – bring a swimsuit
- Bring comfortable clothes to change into after the float
- Bring deodorant and any other toiletries you will need for after the float
Ear plugs are provided. Use them. They also have petroleum jelly to cover any small cuts you may have. If you have cuts, don’t skip this step! (Salt on the wound is never fun.)
My experience
When I stepped inside the pod, it took me a few minutes to get the hang, or rather the float, of it.
I’m a very claustrophobic person – like the can’t-even-sleep-in-a-sleeping-bag kind of claustrophobic – so I was a little nervous about closing the lid.
You have the option of keeping it open, but I wanted to get the full experience so I closed it.
I was actually really surprised how not claustrophobic I felt.
The pod is big. You aren’t supposed to move around, but I had plenty of room to move if needed.
It was a little more humid than I expected, but I adjusted pretty quickly.
Being inside the closed pod, my first thought was, “So this is what it feels like to be a mermaid.” Ha! It sounds silly, but if mermaids exist I imagine this would be how they sleep at night.
There are music settings inside the pod, but I chose to float in silence. (Only because The Little Mermaid soundtrack wasn’t an option.)
There are also lighting settings – you can choose from ten LED colors, or turn off the light and be in complete darkness.
If you have any nerves about being inside the pod, my advice would be to keep the lights on your first time. Halfway through the session I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down when my eyes were closed. I liked being able to open them occasionally and see where I was.
Side note: My husband also did a float, and he preferred the opposite: lights off, music on. So you really have to see what works for YOU. The first time is really more of an exploratory float.
There is a noodle inside the pod that you can put under your neck for extra support. I used that the first 30 minutes, but once I was more calm and relaxed I enjoyed floating without it.
I completely lost track of time and was able to float my worries away. I focused on my breathing and tried to keep my thoughts as clear as possible.
After what seemed like a really long time (it was only an hour) music came on to wake me up and let me know my session was over.
I rinsed off and spent a good amount of time in the relaxation room. My body and mind seemed to still be in somewhat of a relaxed state.
The rest of my day, I noticed a big difference in little things. I felt happier, more alert and less stressed. My skin felt smooth. The muscles I worked out the day before felt more sore, and then after some stretches they felt better than ever.
If you are ready to try this amazing therapy, the best advice I could give you is to just go with the flow! Don’t be afraid to try a variety of different arm positions and relaxation techniques throughout the float.
Above all, plan to be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.
Float on.
St. George News Reporter Leanna Bergeron contributed the videocast to this column.
Resources
- Elite Day Spa | Website
- Address: 491 East Riverside Dr. 4B, St. George, Utah 84790
- Telephone: (435) 319-8251
- Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (All services are provided by appointment only.) | Closed Sunday
Ali Hill is an opinion columnist. The opinions stated in this article are her own, are not influenced through any advertising agreements with St. George News, and are not representative of St. George News.
Do you know of a business that deserves to be on the “A-List?” Tell Ali about your local favorites by e-mailing your suggestions to [email protected]
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