The first rule of float club. You do not talk about float club.
The second rule of float club. You DO NOT TALK about float club.
Call me Tyler Durden, but some things are so special, you almost can’t blame us for being just a little selfish in trying to keep this to ourselves. But, Philadelphia, it’s time to let the cat out of the bag.
We initiate you to join a seemingly secret society of sensory-starved addicts across our great city.
That’s right. Sensory deprivation. Sound a little wacky for your taste? Trust us, keep reading…
According to NY Mag, the first commercial “float spa” opened in 1979 in Beverly Hills, California, a few years after the inventor Dr. John C. Lilly developed the first consumer-friendly tank. It was called “Samadhi” — Sanskrit for higher consciousness.
We know what you’re thinking. “The pursuit of higher consciousness? This sounds like some weird hippie fad.”
While it’s true that floatation therapy will reduce your sensory input to almost nada and can lead to a deepened meditative state, there’s solid evidence that logging some time at a float spa can have a real and measurable impact on your life outside your sessions.
Offering a mind quieting experience comparable to participating in a yoga class or meditation session, the relaxation-promoting experience takes zen to new levels when combined with the magnesium and sulfate properties present in the water.
Check out what The Halcyon Floats website has to say: “As the brain relaxes into a theta state, endorphins are released into the bloodstream, reducing pain and fatigue. The increased endorphin levels also promote a general sense of well-being and happiness and therefore, increase vitality and further reduce levels of stress and tension. Stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol are reduced in the bloodstream by way of various body messages, receptor site activity, and organ processes. Combined, these positive effects help reduce the risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.”
Floatation therapy can also be helpful for those suffering from insomnia, jet lag relief, addiction, depression/anxiety disorders, high post-workout blood lactate levels, and inflammation.
While it should come as no surprise that we aren’t doctors (ha!)….we don’t intend on giving you medical advice in any way, shape, or form. What we can promise is that floatation therapy will send your sexy alter ego into overdrive.
If you think you’re ready to embark on the mysterious world of floatation therapy, check out the real rules of float club:
The first rule of float club: Don’t freak out. Attention germaphobes – you have nothing to worry about. The reason that flotation therapy completely lost its momentum was due to the AIDS epidemic of the ’80s. At Halcyon Floats (the place where we first popped our float cherry), they use food grade hydrogen peroxide and triple filter the water through through a UV sterilizing filtration system between each and every float.
The second rule of float club: Don’t freak out. (Our hope is that the repetition builds impact here.) Yes, you are getting into a dark tank with a lid. Yes, you will be naked. Yes, you’ll be in here alone with nothing but your thoughts for 90 minutes. We promise, it’s not nearly as terrifying as it may sound.
In fact, just the opposite is true: it’s lovely. The water is only 10 inches deep, and the tanks are massive, so don’t worry about feeling at all claustrophobic. At Halcyon Floats, there’s about 4.5 feet between you and the lid. Plus, they send you into your own private suite with a tiny, little, floating sphere of light that gradually changes colors. Once you’ve adjusted to the overall experience, you decide when (or even if) you’re ready to call it “lights out.”
Let the water wash away your worries. When you combine almost a thousand pounds of epsom salt with a little bit of water, you become completely weightless. It’s impossible not to float – all you have to do is lay there like you would lay on your couch. The water feels velvety, and it’s warmed to your exact body temperature. After a few minutes, it’s practically impossible to distinguish where your skin ends and the water begins, and, when you’re this relaxed, it’s amazing how quickly time passes. Just relax and enjoy the stillness.
Ready to float? Check out local float spas in the Philly area:
Halcyon Floats (209 W Girard, Fishtown)
Why they’re awesome: One, they give free floats in exchange for original artwork based on your floating experience; two, Little Baby’s Ice Cream even named their three“Altered States” flavors after Halcyon Floats!
Floatation Philly (534 E Girard, Fishtown)
Why They’re Awesome: With 60 and 90-minute options, you can opt for a quicker pick-me-up at a slightly reduced rate.
East Coast Float Spa (569 E Gay Street, West Chester)
Why They’re Awesome: Bringing flotation therapy to the ‘burbs, this West Chester based spa boasts a flavored Oxygen Bar and zero-gravity massage chairs for your post-float relaxation… As if you weren’t already totally chill.
Have you ever tried float therapy? What was your experience like? Share your thoughts in the comments!
