Karen Donald experiences zero gravity floatation, the first of its kind in Indonesia.
Solace Float is a sensory deprivation float tank centre located in Canggu offering customers a little solace from their day to day. Floatation therapy is an immersive experience that allows you to feel weightlessness in a soundproof, light-free float tank filled with Epsom salt and warm water. The primary function is to eliminate as many external senses as possible, drifting off into a meditative state with beneficial health effects such as creativity, muscle recovery and accelerated learning. When the external, hectic world disappears, incredible things can happen within.
Solace Float founder Aaron Turner has big plans for the future —to empower people and improve their minds and bodies through the transformative powers of flotation therapy. Aaron’s first ever float was five years ago, when after 60-minutes in a float tank he literally planned out his life. After moving to Bali from Australia Aaron left a job in liquid natural gas to pursue other dreams in the wellness sector. Although float tanks in Bali were very hard to find, Aaron eventually met someone from a maritime electrical engineering background with the skill set to build tanks, and Julian Lunt became his business partner.
The float tank environment is conducive to naturally allow you to fall into a state of meditation so you’re able to eliminate all other sensory inputs including background music and traffic noise.
The float tank reduces external stimuli in order to reach new levels of relaxation. Floatation tanks can be used to explore the ‘theta-state’, which is often apparent just before we fall asleep.
Early studies have suggested that floating can be useful in treating anxiety-related conditions, relief from painful inflammatory conditions and other benefits including muscle recovery, enhanced problem-solving abilities and improved sleep quality. Studies show that people with chronic pain have reduced their medication for up to three days; pregnant women enjoy floating in a zero gravity environment to relieve the weight of their baby. According to Aaron, Navy Seals are using floating for accelerated learning, stating they have cut down language learning from six months to six weeks.
The tank is large and wide, and you can easily open the door at any time to ground yourself. There are lights inside and air vents to keep you comfortable, and if you’d like you’re welcome to leave the door to the tank open while you float. Some people fall asleep, but the water is so buoyant you never sink.
Close the door behind you, turn off the lights when you’re ready and float.
I was soon floating effortlessly on the top of a body of water more dense than the Dead Sea, putting the body in a more natural position than sleep, releasing tension. Water is the exact same temperature of your skin, an embryonic 34.5 degrees, and there comes a point where you’re unable to tell where the water begins and your body ends. When the lights went out and the pod hatch was shut, the darkness that we experience in a float tank is pretty much like no darkness we’ve ever experienced before, ensuring you get a much better quality sleep or state of relaxation in the tank. Soon I was disconnected from the pressures of city life. “A digital detox” is another way Aaron describes it, being able to disconnect from our devices even for 90-minutes is of great benefit.
After an hour and a half (which seemed more like 10 minutes) the music fades in, easing you out of your float. As the lights turn on, I stepped out and rinsed off the salt water. The post-float glow is glorious, and the after float space is relaxing, with reassuring staff on hand in case you have feedback or questions. For me, the experience continued post float as my mind had a lot of extra processing power. A session at Solace Float almost forces you to rest and relax, to empty your mind, bringing clarity of thought and fueling creativity.It really is a must-try.