Sensory deprivation for your own sanity?
REVIEW: It’s like something you would see in an old-school alien movie. Bright purple light emanating from a large oval pod of water, creepily still and enticing.
I’d heard a lot about sensory deprivation tanks. Some say an hour floating in the salty water mimics eight hours’ sleep, while others speak of out-of-body experiences. Then there are those who swear by the therapy to maintain good mental health
I had to give it a go.
A few places offer floatation therapy in Canterbury, but Cloud 9 Float Club is the only establishment in Christchurch. It is run by Laura and Tim Bateman. Some may recognise Tim as he plays rugby for the Crusaders and has previously captained the Ma¯ ori All Blacks.
Tim suggested I come in for two one-hour floats a week apart. He admitted it sounded like a sales pitch, but said it took at least two experiences to get used to the pod’s foreign environment.
I was welcomed by Natalie, my float assistant. She gave me the run down: Ear plugs in, shower, then into the pod. The key to a good float, I’m told, is to not be overwhelmed by the experience, focus on your breathing and if it becomes too much, think of just one thought and breath.
I got into the pod and pulled the huge white lid down, sealing myself in. Before I could sit down, my feet shot up out of the water, buoyed by a massive amount of salt. The pod holds 1000 litres of water and 450 kilograms of epsom salts. You didn’t read that wrong – 450kgs of the stuff. The Dead Sea has nothing on these contraptions.
The water and the air are kept at body temperature and once the lights go out and you lie back, the effect becomes clear – you feel nothing. Eyes open, eyes closed – it doesn’t make a difference. Your body can’t distinguish between air and water.
Completely deprived of senses, your mind goes into overdrive to survive. It wasn’t until my second float I was able to trust the water to hold my body. Your muscles, particularly your neck, are not used to letting go.
Once I figured it out, my body sagged and my head fell back, the salty solution lapping my cheeks but not over my face. I closed my eyes, focused on my breathing and before I knew it an hour was up.
OK, so I may have fallen asleep, but I’m told that is common. I climbed out, showered off the salt and took stock of how I felt. No outof-body experience, nor a fullnight’s sleep, but I felt fresh and rested and my mind was clear.
Tim said people float for many reasons. Some float to alleviate pain, some to battle anxiety and depression, but most float to counter stress.
My partner and I are going through the house-buying process – exciting, yes, but also stressful. After an hour in that alien pod, the excitement was heightened and the stress was gone. Job done.
A single float costs $95, or you can join the ‘‘Float Club’’ and pay $75 for one float per month.
The writer was hosted by Cloud 9 Float Club.