Sensory Deprivation Tank
Recently, I went to a flotation center. Mostly because some of my friends insisted to try this since I have sleep issues and because I travel often, so jet-lags are a huge part of my life.
Flotation therapy is therapy that is undertaken by floating in a warm salt water in a float tank.
An isolation tank or float tank is a lightless, soundproof tank inside which subjects float in salt water at skin temperature. They were first used by John C. Lilly in 1954 to test the effects of sensory deprivation.
The floatation tank is basically an extra-large bathtub filled with water saturated with high-quality Epsom salt. The water is maintained at skin temperature and is soft and silky to the touch.
The density of the solution allows you to float weightlessly with no effort or thought required.
The floatation environment is sound-proof and light-proof, allowing the rare opportunity to escape from all stress and distraction.
Alright, I admit...that was absolutely great! I even forgot about the conjuring evil witch while I was in complete dark floating! =)
Reference:
http://www.bluelightfloatation.com/floatation.html#about4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensory_deprivation#Flotation_REST
Andrew A. , was my first session, they told me to come like 2 days/week but I decided to try it for a month, going every 2 days for 1 hour and see how effective is or not.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I wonder who/what the "conjuring evil witch" is?
ReplyDeleteOh... Have you seen The Conjuring? Jim Allen
ReplyDeleteNo Corina Marinescu haven't seen yet. Would have bet this was a coworker or a relative (i.e. mother-in-law). Need to remind myself sometimes to never overlook the obvious!
ReplyDeleteAgree Andrew A. , I slept with tv on for 3 nights =)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your "sleep issues".
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim Allen =)
ReplyDeleteI heard about this years ago and have wanted to try it. I even tried it in my own bathtub (lol) with the lights out floating for a while and it was quite peaceful. I think proper floating with the density of the Epsom salts would make a big difference in the experience though.
ReplyDeleteDo you come out of the tank looking like a prune after 60 minutes? I remember Jonathan Miller's series The Body in Question covered sensory deprivation and, if I recall correctly, he said that many strange psychological effects occur with it. For example, your mind's sense of your where your limbs are etc gets messed up after a few minutes. I think he also said people generally start hallucinating...
Glad to hear the 'witch' doesn't make it in there with you! ;)
Andrew A. "Altered States" :o)
ReplyDeleteSean Walker I also heard about it long time ago...but didn't sound very interesting at that time. I think I need to try to bounce in other way, I'm not allowed to go for a long distance run everyday because of my knees. So first session was good. And I already have a messed up brain, floating in a tank is not gonna affect my brain fabric. Yeah..the witch is gone....still no reason to visit the basement for another week! =)
ReplyDeleteI visited, many years ago, we talking early 70’s, the Exploratorium in the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. At that time they had a sensory deprivation experience called the “Tactile Gallery.” It was always booked a year in advance. It is still there now called the “Tactile Dome” (http://www.exploratorium.edu/visit/west-gallery/tactile-dome). Basically, you went with a group of people and checked into a small room where you removed shoes, watches, etc. Back then you were free to remove any and all if your party so desired. I doubt that is still an option today. Once everyone was ready, one-at-a-time you entered into a smaller room that was completely void of light once the door closed. The only rule… you can’t go backwards. The layout was such you had to go forward. This was important to know for in the first room, the one void of all light, there was no obvious door or passage to move forward. It was all padded leather (Naugahyde I’m guessing) cushions. The walls, the floor and the ceiling. Instinct immediately took over and you dropped to your hands and knees to protect your head… lol. Myself, I searched every inch of the room and could only detect firm gaps between cushions. I circled again, and again looking for a new passage… none. But I did note one cushions gap allowed me to slide my arm in further than the others. But I could not feel open space beyond. I had to commit myself to this passage of sorts without having any idea where or what I might be going into… so I circled again, and again before I was finally brave enough to let go… to slide in.
ReplyDeleteI will not go on with the details as some of you might want to experience this. Suffice it to say these many years later it is still one of the strongest memories of my past. The experience brought many new raw emotions and feelings to the surface of my psyche… an “E” Ticket for sure.
Whooa that was very interesting! What do you mean with "I will not go on with the details as some of you might want to experience this."?
ReplyDeleteYou can't say that...what was in there? =)
Also the group idea....ummm, in the total dark?
ReplyDeletePiquing interests and teasing imaginations is far greater thing I do here for minds of the likes of yours and your followers… besides you saw how long the description was getting in the first room … if I wrote the entire excursion/journey I would be able to publish it… lol
ReplyDeleteLen, I will say the exodus from the first room was exactly as you say, Birth - passing through the womb to a new existence to the point of being a tad freaky. Do keep in mind this was the early 70’s as such their were liberal amounts of Timothy O’Leary type induced mental amplifiers.
Regarding groups, our group was all very close friends… It was a much greater experience I believe then as there was already a wonderful communal desire to share experiences without the fears we are faced with today driving us to desire solitude and isolationism.
Logan Quinn, I MUST see that movie again, soon, now...
ReplyDeleteI sleep on yachts. It totally cured me of all my sleep problems. I think it has something to do with the waves softly lapping against the hull. Just floating on the water, disconnected from land and all it's things. Yeah little to no stress here.
ReplyDeleteWowww
ReplyDeleteI do three hour isolation tank sessions twice a month... it is such a rejuvenating experience. I'd go more often if I had time.
ReplyDelete