My only goal was to write an article about how flotation is similar to Savasana. Being present is a struggle in 2018, but that's OK. Being mindful and present has been a goal of spiritual and meditation practices for centuries! If it was difficult to meditate during a far more simple time, adding the technological distractions of our generation makes it damn near impossible.
We love the practice of mindfulness at Think Tank Flotation! From Tea Ceremonies, to hand grinding coffee, to hour-long belly breathing sessions (aka a 60 minute float). Things just tend to be more enjoyable when you don't rush them.
It's Exhausting:
Unfortunately, it’s 2018, so not only is our default mode to do everything as fast as possible, but also with every distraction known to man trying to stop us. Even now, as I type, I’m being bombarded by external stimulation: I’m typing on a computer and see the Facebook notification beckoning me to check it, my fiance is ranting about one thing or another as I mindlessly respond “uh-huh,” Instagram is telling me that my video has been viewed however many times, and on top of that I have a “to-do” list 3 miles long that is taunting me from the “memo” list on my phone!
Some reflections on Savasana
The article that originally sparked my thought on how exhausting this all can get was written by Meg Agnew. She is a yoga and meditation teacher who explores how Buddhism and yoga compliment each other. Her article is titled “Starting with Savasana,” and it truly could have been written about floating. In fact, if you were to replace every mention of Savasana with “floating,” it would still make complete sense.
“Savasana is also a wonderful way to start each day. This relaxed lying back position is the one I assume in the early morning hours before I’m completely awake and my mind hasn’t had a chance to create a to-do list. Instead, I’m creating and participating in a form of the “beginning your day with clarity”
This practice that Phillip Moffitt describes in the book, "Emotional Chaos to Clarity."
"I take my pillow out from under my head so that my head rests heavily like it does when I’m floating in a body of water. Like when I’m floating, I relax and let my body feel completely supported. Today is a Sunday and I feel the day is also stretched out leisurely before me. I can give this practice some extra time and attention.”
Floating and Mindfulness
Luckily, flotation makes mindfulness all the more accessible. The whole environment was made for meditation. The water in the tank is the same temperature as your body so you aren't focused on being too warm or cold. The salt to water ratio allows you to float effortlessly so you aren't subjected to the effects of gravity (this allows our bodies to release muscle tension that is likely impeding our focus). Flotation tanks were truly MADE for meditation. Even someone like myself, an adult with an ADHD/PTSD diagnosis, is able to focus (or meditate) in a flotation tank.
Just try to be more mindful. The impact could surprise you.
Whether you try starting your day with Savasana or you want to give flotation therapy a try, I urge you to do something each day that forces you to be more mindful. It doesn't have to be a big hour-long meditation session where you find “enlightenment.” Being present can be as simple as buying loose tea instead of tea bags. This conscious decision forces you to pick the tea, measure it, smell it, wait for it. You could also just plug-in your phone in away from your bed at night. This makes your last moments before sleep peaceful (and less taxing on your eyes). Mindfulness can be anything that makes you focus on the now.
Then, when you are ready to try flotation, come unwind with us at Think Tank!
-CTB
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