Posted on Sunday, 6 March 2011

hipsterdecadence: If you’ve been following us on our twitter, last week we had the unique opportunity to experience the newly installed Float-On Headquarters on SE Hawthorne here in Portland, Oregon. Take some time to check out the website. Even though we know first hand that no matter how much information you get out of reading it, and no matter how long you spend talking to a representative, you still won’t understand exactly what’s happening until you climb out of the tank, rinse off, and sit down on their couches (after making a cup of tea, of course). Then and only then the magic begins. We’ve decided to each write about our unique experiences with these sensory deprivation tanks. Meredith did their artist’s program and was given the opportunity to have two floats, while Josh supported the business and has had one float. Read below on what it was like! Josh: A sensory deprivation ‘what’?! Come on, what’s that supposed to mean??? As much as I’d like be a believer I’ve become quite a skeptic about the things of this world. Which is why the whole idea of “floating” sounded like such a strange thing from the beginning. For some reason, the idea of floating on a bed of water and 850 lbs of epsom salt in a pitch black tank by myself didn’t sound like the most comforting way to spend 90 minutes of my day. But was I ever wrong!?Float On, a Portland based company provided me with an unexpected and unprecedented experience. It’s hard to describe the feeling of floating. In those 90 minutes of floating, I wondered if it was working… I wasn’t experiencing any profound thought, nor was I really able to calm my thoughts and experience any kind of ‘pure being.’ No no, It was after the float that I realized what a profound effect it had on me.When I got out of the tank I felt more relaxed than I think I’ve ever felt. It was as though I had the most gentle and effective massage of all time. I’m looking forward to trying it again now that I know what it’s all about. I can definitely see why many artists and creative types enjoy floating. I would recommend floating in a sensory deprivation tank to everyone, and that’s not something I would say about much of anything. Meredith: Alright. The first time I had heard about these I was immediately intrigued—a bit apprehensive, but I knew that if the opportunity arose I would have to at least try it. A couple months later, Float-On popped up with their artists program and the following week I was to have my first float. Two days later would be my second. My stomach was slowly turning in knots as I shut the door to the room. The required shower (conveniently placed in each room) calmed me down enough to forget about any fear (I didn’t even know why I was scared) and I climbed into the tank. My first time I was in an ocean room (over 7’ tall and has a button on the inside that turns a light on/off); my second time I was in the Oasis (pictured above). I sat in the lit-tank for 15 minutes before I realized that nothing was going to happen to me except being able to think. I believe that’s what I was scared about—what would I think about? I already have about 5 things on my mind at once anyway, how much more would layer on in this tank of nothingness? Well, what I found was that after I got used to floating in complete silence and utter darkness I was able to focus on only one thought at a time. I can’t remember the last time I felt that. Must’ve been before computers. As each session came to completion, Mozart slowly seeped into my conscience and dragged me into reality where I had to lift my entire bodyweight from weight-less water and return to the realities of honking horns and chitter-chatter. Though as I sat on the couches drinking freshly brewed loose-leaf Earl Grey tea, my body felt as though it was non-existant. I was extraordinarily comfortable and nothing was more perfect than pairing my throat with steaming burgamot. Both times I felt the same sensation afterwards—(and if you don’t go for meditation, this is enough reason on its own). I will return!  (and post the artwork when I’ve completed it)

hipsterdecadence:

If you’ve been following us on our twitter, last week we had the unique opportunity to experience the newly installed Float-On Headquarters on SE Hawthorne here in Portland, Oregon.

Take some time to check out the website. Even though we know first hand that no matter how much information you get out of reading it, and no matter how long you spend talking to a representative, you still won’t understand exactly what’s happening until you climb out of the tank, rinse off, and sit down on their couches (after making a cup of tea, of course). Then and only then the magic begins.

We’ve decided to each write about our unique experiences with these sensory deprivation tanks. Meredith did their artist’s program and was given the opportunity to have two floats, while Josh supported the business and has had one float. Read below on what it was like!

Josh:

A sensory deprivation ‘what’?! Come on, what’s that supposed to mean??? As much as I’d like be a believer I’ve become quite a skeptic about the things of this world. Which is why the whole idea of “floating” sounded like such a strange thing from the beginning. For some reason, the idea of floating on a bed of water and 850 lbs of epsom salt in a pitch black tank by myself didn’t sound like the most comforting way to spend 90 minutes of my day. But was I ever wrong!?

Float On, a Portland based company provided me with an unexpected and unprecedented experience. It’s hard to describe the feeling of floating. In those 90 minutes of floating, I wondered if it was working… I wasn’t experiencing any profound thought, nor was I really able to calm my thoughts and experience any kind of ‘pure being.’ No no, It was after the float that I realized what a profound effect it had on me.

When I got out of the tank I felt more relaxed than I think I’ve ever felt. It was as though I had the most gentle and effective massage of all time. I’m looking forward to trying it again now that I know what it’s all about. I can definitely see why many artists and creative types enjoy floating. I would recommend floating in a sensory deprivation tank to everyone, and that’s not something I would say about much of anything.

Meredith:

Alright.

The first time I had heard about these I was immediately intrigued—a bit apprehensive, but I knew that if the opportunity arose I would have to at least try it. A couple months later, Float-On popped up with their artists program and the following week I was to have my first float. Two days later would be my second.

My stomach was slowly turning in knots as I shut the door to the room. The required shower (conveniently placed in each room) calmed me down enough to forget about any fear (I didn’t even know why I was scared) and I climbed into the tank.

My first time I was in an ocean room (over 7’ tall and has a button on the inside that turns a light on/off); my second time I was in the Oasis (pictured above).

I sat in the lit-tank for 15 minutes before I realized that nothing was going to happen to me except being able to think. I believe that’s what I was scared about—what would I think about? I already have about 5 things on my mind at once anyway, how much more would layer on in this tank of nothingness?

Well, what I found was that after I got used to floating in complete silence and utter darkness I was able to focus on only one thought at a time. I can’t remember the last time I felt that. Must’ve been before computers.

As each session came to completion, Mozart slowly seeped into my conscience and dragged me into reality where I had to lift my entire bodyweight from weight-less water and return to the realities of honking horns and chitter-chatter. Though as I sat on the couches drinking freshly brewed loose-leaf Earl Grey tea, my body felt as though it was non-existant. I was extraordinarily comfortable and nothing was more perfect than pairing my throat with steaming burgamot.

Both times I felt the same sensation afterwards—(and if you don’t go for meditation, this is enough reason on its own).

I will return! 

(and post the artwork when I’ve completed it)

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