FLOATING TOWARD RELAXATION
Ken Catton wasn’t exactly sure what to expect when he tried his first float, but after back pain from years working as a millwright, he wanted to try something a little different to ease the pain.
That first float got him thinking about what other benefits — both for the body and the mind — could be gained simply by floating in a soundproof tank with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved in 10 inches of water.
He and his wife Christine — a registered nurse who was also curious about alternative and holistic approaches to healing — opened their own floatation therapy centre.
He says his back feels “100 times better.”
Many clients might feel a bit nervous floating for the first time, especially when terms like sensory deprivation or isolation are thrown around, but Catton is quick to note there is no “right” way to float — it all depends on what you hope to get out of the experience, whether it’s pain relief, relaxation or simply a place to think without distraction.
“It’s about working with every individual client and asking them what they want to get out of it,” he said. “Then there are different ways you can cater the experience to that person’s wants or needs to what they are expecting.”
If you want to leave the light on, listen to your own music, move around in the tank or take breaks from the 90-minute float, go right ahead.
“If you’re sitting there thinking about what you should be doing, you’re not doing what you should be doing,” Catton says.
“There’s really just a million things you can do in there, but the biggest thing is just to go in with the only expectation of relaxing.” Open for close to 30 years in Saskatoon and under the ownership of Barbara Crowe for the last 10, Ixtapa Travel has a lot of experience in helping Saskatonians get the most out of their vacations.
In November, the travel agency moved to a new, more spacious location, making it easier to take care of more clients. Staff help ease the stress that comes from planning the perfect trip — especially when trying to book online.
“There is just way too much stuff on the internet,” Crowe says. “Too many companies, too much information, and it can be overwhelming. People will go to 50 websites where they could just come sit with us for an hour or two, tell us exactly what they’re looking for and we can get it done for them.”
Ixtapa’s agents specialize in every type of vacation — cruises, weddings, group travel and even bucket list experiences. They call on years of experience to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. If something does go awry, booking through an agent has the added benefit of personalized help being only a phone call away, Crowe notes.
A common misperception about hiring a travel agent is the idea that it’s more expensive than booking online, she says.
“Often, in many cases we can actually save you money. We know the promotions, we know the specials, we have contacts in different places where we can give them an experience for less money than what they are maybe finding online.”
The focus on personalizing each trip to fit exactly what the client wants is the best part, she says.
“People are looking for experiences now. They’re not just looking to go put their toes in the sand; it’s more experiential vacations and bucket list items, so you really need someone to help you do that.” Ixtapa Travel Owner: Barbara Crowe
Address:103-3929 8th Street East Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 306-664-3233 Website: www.ixtapatravel.ca Check Facebook and Instagram
Erin Petrow is a reporter at The StarPhoenix. If you have started, expanded or moved a small business in Saskatoon within the last few months, contact her at epetrow@ postmedia.com Home-based and temporary businesses, as well as those without physical locations, will not be considered for publication. Follow Erin on Twitter @petr0w