Floating
An Alternative for Relaxation
If the strains of pregnancy are wearing you down, an hour in a zero-gravity floatation chamber may be for you.
Invented by neuroscientist John Lilly in the 1950s to study the effects of zero-gravity and sensory-deprivation, the floatation chamber is now enjoyed as one of the most effective tools for deep relaxation and mental and physical recovery. The recipe is simple: salt water, darkness, and silence – or, if you prefer, tranquil music – and voila! Bliss.
A session in a float tank typically lasts an hour. Generally users of the float tank enter the pool nude. Although swimsuits can be worn, the elastic material of a swimsuit can create uncomfortable stress points on the skin during the session and might take away from the experience. Due to the high levels of Epsom salt the water is minimally changed and all users shower prior to entering the tank to extend the water’s life. Bathing is again needed after a session to remove excess Epsom salt from the skin.
The operation of the float tank is pretty simple – which is really the point. About ten inches deep, a thousand pounds of Epsom salts are dissolved in solution, giving the water a heightened density and making the body naturally buoyant. Heated to body temperature, one simply floats upon the surface.
Typically users who enter the float tank will float on their backs but for pregnant women floating on their bellies (with elbows on the floor of the tank and chin cupped in hands) is safer and allows all the postural muscles to relax. Mid term expecting moms often find considerable relief from pain and stiffness, particularly while floating on their bellies. In this position the fetus is fully floating and the mother’s back and pelvis are released from the stress of the extra weight. Once floating, within a few minutes the body’s central nervous system tunes out the water, and the mind is relaxed which releases natural endorphins reducing pain and stress within the body.