Zero Gravity Floating Therapy
Below you'll find the most frequently asked questions about Zero Gravity Therapy and floating sessions. If you have additional questions please contact us so we can help make your session even more relaxing and enjoyable.
We greatly appreciate 48 hours notice when you need to change an appointment. Should you cancel your appointment with less than 24 hours notice, or if you miss the appointment, you will receive an invoice for 50% of the service.
Answers to Your Floating Questions
If you wear contacts, it’s good to bring a case, your solution, and your glasses. You also need to shower before and after your time in the float room, so if you have special toiletries you want, you should bring those, too. If you have long hair, you might want to bring a comb or brush. We provide earplugs, shampoo, conditioner, soap, towels, washcloths, Q-tips and a blow dryer.
No. Your changing room, shower, and float room are totally private. We encourage you to float without a bathing suit since strings and ties may be distracting, and a clingy, wet suit might detract from the experience. But if you’re more comfortable wearing one, that’s okay, too.
The float room water is cleaner than swimming pools or hot tubs because only one person uses it at a time. We take sanitation very seriously. The primary disinfectant of the float water is the high salt concentration itself. Nothing pathogenic can live in this high salt environment. Then, filtering removes particulates with a swimming-pool-sized filter unit. We filter aggressively between every client, turning the whole contents of the room over three to four times, to keep our water sparkling clear. Finally, while being filtered, the water is also treated with a UV sanitation light and ozone generator. As a backup, we also add a dose of hydrogen peroxide daily. Salt concentrations are also tested and maintained at a consistent level.
This is generally no problem. If your dye is fresh, though (less than a week), there is a chance the float water could fade it. Certainly we wouldn’t recommend you float if your hair is not yet safe to wash in the shower. We’d hate for you to damage expensive work, and would be pleased to help you reschedule.
Floating doesn’t require any swimming skills whatsoever. You’ll actually float like a cork, and it doesn’t matter what shape or size you are.
Yes! Most people fall asleep, but the buoyancy of the salt water is so great that you easily stay afloat.
If you’re coughing, sneezing, or your nose is running, floating is not a great idea –you just won’t be able to get comfortable. We want you to enjoy your float time. Also, if you are contagious, it is a kindness to others to just stay home.
Yes. Just follow the same protocol you would for a swimming pool.
The air inside the tank is very warm and quite humid. Most people find it beneficial to their breathing.
No. Because the water contains a high concentration of Epsom salt it doesn’t rob your skin of salt, rather, it leaves your skin soft, smooth and silky.
Yes! We have state-of-the-art underwater speaker systems. Our automated system will play a few minutes of music at the beginning of your session and then fade out. The music will fade back in toward the end of your session. If you prefer to have music, meditation, affirmations, hypnosis or language training material played during your whole session, we have manual access in each changing room. You can bring any device with a regular audio jack or you can bring a USB memory stick.
Yes! You can schedule any type of massage to follow your float session. In fact, receiving a massage after you float will maximize the benefits of the massage and allow our Therapists deeper access to your muscles.
The room ceilings are 7 feet tall and there is a large glass door between the room and the shower. Being in the float therapy rooms feels more like floating in outer space. You’re always in control of your environment, lights and sound level. Even people with extreme claustrophobia have reported having no problems with their time floating.
The first tiny float tank was developed in 1954 by Dr. John C. Lily. The first commercial float rooms were invented in the early 1970s.
No. You will have complete control over your environment for the length of your session. The clear glass door between the float room and shower simply pushes open. The door between the changing room and the hall has a lock for your privacy. Also, there is a light switch located inside the float room for your convenience.
There is an intercom system in case you have any questions during the first few minutes of your session. There is also a volume control for the speaker system. A light switch allows you to choose which color underwater light you prefer or you can just shut it off. You’ll also find a neck support in case there is any reason you do not want you ears under water.
Generally, contraindications include powerful sedatives, uncontrolled epilepsy, kidney problems, or schizophrenia. Magnesium from the Epsom salt can have interactions with certain antibiotics and muscle relaxants. If any of these conditions apply to you, or you have any other concerns, please consult your doctor before floating.
Don’t – Shave or wax any part of your body 12 hours before your appointment. The high salt content of the water is irritating to freshly shaved skin. If you recently had microdermabrasion or new tattoo, please wait a week. We will have petroleum jelly available in the changing rooms. A tiny dab to cover any little scratches is all you’ll need to keep the salt water out.
Don’t – Drink alcohol or caffeine before or after your session for best results.
Don’t – Use prescription, OTC (or recreational) stimulants or sedatives before your float session.
Don’t – Plan to rush out the door after your float session! Plan enough time to relax.
Do – Drink plenty of water the two weeks before your appointment – just because it is so good for you! (Half your body weight in ounces – ex: a 200lb person should drink 100 ounces of water every day!)
Do - Eat a small meal about one hour prior to your float.