Deviation Tanks Are Weird And Amazing

In a city of 24 million people, finding a bit of ‘me’ time can be hard to come by. After a cramped journey on the metro (and hearing two people burp and fart impressively loud!) I made my way to Dagu Road to try out an interesting wellness trend, Floatation Therapy.

Unsure exactly what to expect, I entered Floatasian, a luxurious floatation spa who describe floating as, “perfect for city dwellers who are looking for increased well-being.”

I happen to dwell in a city, and with the sound of that fart still ringing in my ears, am also in need of some increased well-being. Floating couldn’t come soon enough!

Swedish owners Theo and Andreas welcomed me to the spa, a clean and beautifully decorated space which looked clinical yet inviting.

I slipped off my wet shoes and into a pair of soft white slippers before being led to the futuristic Relaxation Area, which looked like a set from 2001: A Space Odyssey.  A large flat screen played soothing video of a gentle flowing stream as Theo introduced the concept of floating.

“Mostly people do it for stress or pain relief. It’s different for everyone. Some people come because they have depression and find peace floating, others are athletes and enjoy the muscular relaxation benefits, and some people just want a space to meditate and relax.”

I sipped on my complimentary cucumber flavoured water and wondered: what am I supposed to do in the tank?

“Basically you do nothing at all! You just lay down in a big tank which looks like a big hot tub. It’s not deep at all, just 25cm, and in the water is 1000lbs of Epsom salt which is great for your skin. It’s the same kind of salt as found in the Dead Sea and contains magnesium which is one of the first minerals you lose when you become stressed.”

The salt sounds great. Floating sounds great. But what about the cleanliness of it all?

“First of all, the water is a 45% salt solution which kills everything. This is also the reason why you float. Between each customer we pump the water which goes through a mechanical filter and UV light, plus every morning we measure the PH levels. This water is around 17 times cleaner that your regular bath water!”

17 times cleaner than bath water sounds good enough for me! Let’s float!

I undressed in one of the changing rooms, donned a white bath robe, and headed to one of the floating rooms. The neon-lit room was warm and a light smell of salt filled the air. A glass covered showering section separated me from the formidably sized float tank. 

The large white tank looked like a futuristic capsule with an alluring blue light glowing from within. After a quick shower, I was ready for my one-hour float session in the dark. 

INSIDE THE TANK

I climbed in the tank and was surprised at how silky and warm the salt solution felt. Claustrophobics can choose to have the door or roof open, however I wanted the full experienced and closed myself in. 

Ear plugs were provided, as was Vaseline if you have any cuts or scratches, and I turned off the blue light to get settled into my new home for the next hour.

The floating effect of the super-salty-solution is nothing like anything I’ve ever felt before. It’s impossible to sink. Every area of my body was perfectly supported, allowing me to totally let go and relax in a way I don’t think I’ve ever been able to do before. 

The temperature of the water and the air is set at 35˚C which matches skin temperature. After a while, I couldn’t notice the difference between the water and the air, which created a comfortable feeling of weightlessness.

Soft music signalled the beginning of the session which faded to nothing after a few minutes. At that point, all senses are truly deprived. No light. No noise. No sense of gravity. No awareness of the boundary between your skin and the water. 

It’s no wonder artists such as John Lennon frequently floated! The sensation of weightlessness is surreal. It has to be experienced to be truly understood. When the exciting novelty of floating wears off, the real healing effects can begin. 

As somebody that practices yoga everyday, I’m very in tune with my body and any aches or pains I may be feeling. Floating removed gravity’s pull from my body and allowed me to relax my muscles like never before. 

As I let go of bodily tensions, I found I could relax my mind too. At first, my mind was racing because of all the new sensations, but after a while, a feeling of deep relaxation takes over as stress melts away both physically and mentally. 

I drifted in and out of deep, almost dream-like states, which Theo explained was the slowing down of brain waves similar to those achieved in deep meditation.   

Before I knew it, soft music filled the tank once more, signalling the end of my session. I had no concept of time, and was shocked at how quickly an hour passed by. They had to play the music twice, as I couldn’t muster the energy to leave the first time! 

LIFE AFTER FLOATING

I pushed open the door to the tank and felt as though I was re-born! My body felt more relaxed than ever and I was left with a feeling of a natural bodily high.

Familiarising myself with walking again, I showered off the salt and noticed how soft my skin was! It wasn’t wrinkly like a long period in a normal bath. It felt exfoliated and rejuvenated. 

In the Relaxation Area, Kale Chips awaited as were Theo and Andreas with expectant looks on their faces. As frequent users themselves, I can see why these guys had such a mellow and friendly vibe. 

The Relaxation Area felt even more relaxing than the first time I was there, and everything just felt more chilled and calm. My body felt great, my mind felt clear, and I felt completely incapable of stress. 

I was poured a stimulating shot of fruit juice to reawaken the senses which certainly worked thanks to the spice of the ginger.  

“This feeling can last for several days.” Theo encouraged me. I think he may be right. It’s hours later and while writing this article, I feel just as relaxed as I did back in the Relaxation Area, wearing my white robe, watching the gentle flowing river on the flat screen. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Is floating worth it? Absolutely. As someone who exercises regularly, I was most impressed by the physical benefits of floating. However, whether you’re stressed, feeling overwhelmed, or just need some time to reconnect with yourself, the relaxing nature of floating in the darkness with no stimulation from the outside world, could be exactly what you’re looking for.    

If you fall victim to the pressures of life, I would highly recommend a float in tranquillity to discover how this simple yet rewarding experience can benefit you. 

Floatasian

Website: www.floatasian.cn

Address: 2/F, Dagu Road 288, cross with Chengdu North Road

English Tel: [phone]

Chinese Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Price: 1 hour float = RMB 488

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