Finding Serenity in the Unconventional World of Floating

I recently discovered a new way to unwind - floating. It's a unique experience that's gained popularity in recent years, and I was eager to try it out.Even though we don't have a huge city in the Moscow region, there's a floating studio nearby that caught my attention. I received a floating certificate as a gift, which was packaged creatively in a standard black box with an interesting filling inside. My girlfriend, Bonnie, was intrigued by the box, and I was excited to try out the experience.The certificate itself was rolled up and tied with a ribbon, adding a touch of elegance to the presentation. The certificate included information about floating and some recommendations, which I found helpful in preparing for the experience.When I opened the box, I was greeted by a pleasant aroma, reminiscent of essential oils. The float tank is essentially a camera with a door, filled with very salty water.Before floating, you need to take a shower and wash off any hair products. This is an important step to ensure a clean and relaxing experience. The water level in the float tank is relatively low, around 30-40 cm. There's a handle to hold onto, which is a lifesaver, especially if you're prone to neck strain like I am.Inside the tank, you'll find a starry sky projection, which adds to the relaxing ambiance. There are also neck pillows provided, which was a nice touch. I was stoked to see that all the shampoo and body wash were provided, so I didn't need to bring anything extra. There's even a toilet station with all the essentials.Before you start floating, you need to put in earplugs – and if you've got any scratches, slap on some special cream. The float chamber comes with neck pillows, which is a lifesaver, especially if you're prone to neck strain like I am.Since a lot of people are dealing with neck and shoulder issues, I found it tough to relax at first. But the staff suggested just holding back and not using the pillow for the first 5 minutes – and it worked like a charm. The water's super salty, so you can't even think about drowning. Just let your arms float up, and they'll naturally come back down. You've got to float naked, no swimsuits allowed.The float session process is pretty straightforward: you shower, put in earplugs, and then get into the tank.Relaxation-wise, it's incredibly effective, especially after a long day at work. At first, a ton of thoughts pop into your head, but eventually, your mind goes blank. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to fall asleep. There are handles on the sides, and every now and then, you start to drift away slightly while floating. If I didn't feel the handles, I'd get anxious, so I'd hold onto it periodically. Since I was with my husband, it wasn't a big deal to close the door. But if you're alone, it might be a bit scary at first because you feel trapped in a confined space. I know people who are terrified of elevators, for instance. If you're afraid, you can just leave the door open.Our package also included a romantic dinner with champagne and a massage. We decided to have dinner before the massage, which was a bit unconventional, but we enjoyed it nonetheless. I have to say, the dinner was pretty nice, and the champagne was a lovely touch.My girlfriend and I decided to have a romantic dinner with champagne.Massage.We enjoyed visiting the float tank, and it was an interesting experience. However, I'd prefer floating to just swimming in a pool. The effect is roughly the same, but a pool session is way cheaper.I was a bit uneasy about the fact that the water in the float tank isn't changed. The tank has filters installed, and the amount of salt doesn't allow any bacteria to spread. I'm not a picky person, but this did bother me.

We've got top-notch water filtration systems in place at our spa, including coarse and fine filters, plus a UV lamp that runs 24/7. We're talking DIN 19643-certified, and after every guest, we add a 36% perhydrolysis solution to the tank. With this system, not a single bacteria stands a chance. We never change the water, ever. To make that solution, you'd need a ton of artesian water that's been through deep cleaning, over 500 kg of salt that dissolves over the course of a day, and that float session would cost an arm and a leg. But trust me, when you come here, you get crystal-clear water, no question.At the time of writing, the cheapest float session costs 4,000 rubles, which includes the float itself and a cup of tea.

Super relaxing;Perfect for a unique date night;Great as a gift;If you're claustrophobic, you might freak out;The water in the float tank doesn't get changed;It's pretty pricey.But honestly, you can just go to the pool and swim – it's way more beneficial than just lying there. The relaxation effect is pretty similar to what you get from swimming. I'm always super relaxed after a dip in the pool. We're glad we tried this, even if it was a bit of a weird experience. The certificate helped, or we wouldn't have tried this with my husband. The romantic dinner and massage made up for the float session, though.