COVID19 Float Health Statement from Think Tank

  Hello friends and guests,  Here is more information on COVID19 and what we are implementing at our center during this time.  This information is from a microbiologist in the recreational water industry. Dr. Roy Vores has presented at several Float industry conferences in the past.  While you already know we are incredibly diligent at cleaning our space, float tanks, and showers we are going to be taking extra precautions during this time. This may set our schedule off by 5 to 10 minutes here and there but were sure you can understand and appreciate why.  Along with us sanitizing along every often touched surface and the interior of the tanks between floats, please use your due diligence to help us maintain a clean space as well.  That would include:      washing your hands     rescheduling your float if you show any flu like symptoms  If you don't feel well, a float isn't going to be good anyway. We will not charge you a late cancellation during this time it is more important to be safe if you aren't feeling well.  On a maximum capacity day we will have less than 20 people in our business over the course of the whole day.

Floating, your health, and COVID19

Hello friends and guests,

Here is more information on COVID19 and what we are implementing at our center during this time.

This information is from a microbiologist in the recreational water industry. Dr. Roy Vores has presented at several Float industry conferences in the past.

While you already know we are incredibly diligent at cleaning our space, float tanks, and showers we are going to be taking extra precautions during this time. This may set our schedule off by 5 to 10 minutes here and there but were sure you can understand and appreciate why.

Along with us sanitizing along every often touched surface and the interior of the tanks between floats, please use your due diligence to help us maintain a clean space as well.

That would include:

  • washing your hands
  • rescheduling your float if you show any flu like symptoms

If you don't feel well, a float isn't going to be good anyway. We will not charge you a late cancellation during this time it is more important to be safe if you aren't feeling well.

On a maximum capacity day we will have less than 20 people in our business over the course of the whole day.

Everyone takes a shower before AND after they enter the tank.

We will do all we can to maintain the cleanliness you are accustomed to in all areas of. If you are getting anxious and stressed over things please make sure to take time in your day to eat healthy foods and, focus on calming breathing just like you do while you float. You can do this anytime you are feeling stressed.

Thank you for your support! The entire Think Tank Flotation Team,

-Joe , Taylor, Alex, Sarah, Jasmine, Wesley

Float Spa Group Experience

Business brainstorm session, employee stay-cation, or group retreat we offer a fully customizable experience with our group Float Spa experience package.

Build your team, get through that tough project, or just relax with our flotation spa offerings.

What is a Float Spa experience like?

Flotation is good for stimulating creativity, recuperation, and stress relief for you and your team. In a business environment this can aid with:

What services do we offer?

Locally Sourced Tea or Coffee
Custom Soaps or Scents
Locally Catered Food

Further Customize your Float Spa
Yoga
Massage
Tea Ceremony
Singing Bowl Cermeony

Your First Float Tank Experience : Walkthrough of Think Tank Flotation

Your First Float

Hello everyone, Joe here!

You may know me from Swing This Kettlebell and Strength. I'm also one of the owners of Think Tank Flotation in Newport KY and I'm going to give you a quick walkthrough of your first float tank experience.

First off, welcome to our Wellness Center! We are happy you're wanting to experience what floating can do for your busy lifestyle. Perhaps you have been recommended by a friend or family member of yours. This means we have done our job to create an environment in which people feel safe and comfortable for their health needs. Enough so, that they have recommend it to those that they care about for their first float tank experience. 

We are conveniently located at 521 Monmouth St in Newport KY. It is as close to downtown Cincinnati as we could get, without being in a noisy and hectic environment.

Flotation Therapy is a type of physical and mental therapy developed by John C. Lilly in the 1950's. Typically, the patient floats in skin-temperature salt water chamber that blocks external light and sound. Commercial flotation tanks came to prominence in the 1980's, and have seen a huge revival in the 2010's, party in thanks to proponents like Joe Rogan.

Arriving at your Float

Upon arrival you will want to use the restroom and sign our waiver if you haven't done so online.

There may be a few people waiting or leaving their appt that could be very talkative about their experience. We love this! It cultivates a great community of people looking to better themselves mentally and physically.

First Float Anxiety

It is absolutely normal to feel a little nervous on your first float as it is an entirely new environment and experience for you. That makes you human. It is the sympathetic nervous system at work.

I remember 5 years ago I was a bit nervous about my first float tank experience as well. Don't worry, that's why we take so much time talking and going over the experience with each and every visitor.

Consultation is built into your float appt. Each 60 minute float appt is 90 minutes long, which allows time to shower and get ready before and after.

Relax First

When you arrive feel free to look around our main area of relaxation! We have many things to read, and experience for your senses. We believe in cultivating experiences based on mindfulness.

Mindfulness can be defined as, " THE AWARENESS THAT EMERGES THROUGH PAYING ATTENTION ON PURPOSE, IN THE PRESENT MOMENT, AND NONJUDGMENTALLY TO THE UNFOLDING OF THE EXPERIENCE."
- JON KABAT-ZINN

Perhaps you want to read the first float experiences that were left in our notebook from people just like you. People have different experiences during their first float, ranging from muscle tension relief to increased focus/visualization effects.

You're welcome to lounge in style while you await notification that your flotation experience is ready. Whatever you can imagine, we can assist with for your relaxation experience before you float.

First Float Expectations and Realities

Many people have heard of floating through the internet, and the internet incredibly good at sensationalizing things. Flotation isn't any different. We do truly believe floating is one of the best holistic tools for stress management and muscle tension release.

That being said, just one float isn't going to fix your anxiety or a bulging disc issue you've had for years. Extensive floating over time? Now that's a different story.

Flotation can be used to work hand in hand with other therapies (massage, chiropractic, grief counseling, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to produce even better benefits. Lots of people have heard of floating through podcasts such as the Joe Rogan Experience. While I appreciate the exposure that has given to floating please remember one thing: You are not Joe Rogan.

Don't attempt to do what Joe does. Experience floating for what it is and what it does for your body and mind. Eat a normal light meal an hour or so before your float, not 2 or 3 THC gummies your friend brought you from Colorado.... but moving on.....

Floating is best used for extended intervals in your life.

The first float gets you accustomed to the idea and process. Floats you incorporate after that are the ones that really start making a difference in your life. Just like you wouldn't go to a yoga class once and expect to be incredibly flexible afterwards, it is the incorporation over time that produces the biggest benefits.

Forget crazy youtube experiences you've watched and explore what is to be yourself, and in the moment while you float. Maybe your neck will feel better when you're done. Maybe you will find the solution to your problem at work or with your next art piece.

Your experience is exactly that- YOURS

The Float Tanks

Thank you for trusting us to provide you with this wonderful tool. Our two tank rooms are similar, yet have a different ambience.

One of the float tanks is the Explorer Room, on the left. Using a tank that is based on the original design of early flotation tanks made for John Lilly, the neuroscientist who created Restricted Environmental Stimulus Technique, otherwise known as Flotation REST. This room is used by many who have experience in meditation and or don't spend aalot of time stretching during their float. I think it feels like a comfortable hug of euphoria.

Our other float tank room, on the right, is the URTH room. This room feels a bit sci fi / outerspace. For your first float tank experience It doesn't really matter which you choose, but we recommend people try both and then gravitate towards the one you like the best for later floats.

Emerge into a custom lit room, play some music, and enjoy the most amazing shower after your float.

The Float

Floating is best done as a practice as I mentioned before, much like yoga or weightlifting. This is why we sell discounted packages of 3 and four floats.

I recommend you start with a few floats in a shorter period of time to get accustomed to what floating can do for you.

Perhaps you float once per month. Perhaps its once per week. It all depends on how it affects your stress levels.

Does the 60 minute float session give you a week of focus and undistracted productivity at your high stress marketing job? Then a $40 weekly float is probably a great idea for you. (Click to see our 4 float / month membership.)

The Shower

After your shower, which is important to help maintain cleanliness and keep our magnesium solution stable, you will begin your first float tank experience.

Our highly saturated epsom salt solution is sanitized with ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT and hydrogen peroxide but it makes it even better that guests are showering beforehand.

Be careful entering the tank as you don't want to splash the magnesium saltwater into your eyes to avoid stinging. I recommend the provided earplugs to be put in before your shower so they don't want to slide out, yet some people choose to float without them.

Starting your Float

When you start your float, you can leave the door open or closed, it just may be a little cooler with the door open. The water is around 94 degrees, which is the average person's skin temperature. You can choose to float in the dark or light, listening to silence or ambient music, stretching or lying still.

I recommend for your first float to begin the session testing how buoyant the water makes you by holding your arms and legs under water. You'll feel how you don't need to put in any effort to float. Next, lower your head until the water touches your temples, and fell it rise again. If there is one thing people have a hard time with on their first float, it's relaxing their neck and jaw enough to fully relax their body. I sure did!

It is an amazing feeling once you trust the salt water cradle your body, especially your head.

Try Stretching while you Float

Move slightly and slowly, experimenting with different arm positions, either overhead or by the sides of your body. Do light stretches. Many yoga instructors, ballet dancers and massage therapists float with us as a recuperative practice. The positions you can hold and relax into are vastly different than the positions you can maintain on the bed, couch, or floor . This is due to the cradling effect of the saltwater. Once you find a very comfortable position, stay there for as long as you want and focus on how your body feels along with your breathe.

When your brain realizes you're in a safe space and it becomes aware of the new environment, your mind can start traveling down your stream of consciousness. We have heard researchers say that it can take someone new up to 45 minutes for their nervous system to relax in their first float tank experience. This is why it's usually even better your second or third time.

While you are Floating

It's normal to have thoughts that are all over the place. Just let it ride. Some peoples thoughts are highly erratic and some have trouble not thinking about what they have to do in the future. The more you float and meditate, the easier it is to be able to concentrate on one thing (or even just your breathing).

Remember you are here to just "be", not "do".This is accomplished by always returning to your breathing. As Ram Dass said, "BE HERE NOW. "

That can be a simple mantra you repeat when your mind is going a thousand miles per minute. Enjoy this 60 to 90 minutes of less input from the hectic world. Yes, you will bump the sides of the tank occasionally. It's all going to be ok, just relax.

Recenter yourself and your breathing patterns. The phrase "take a deep breathe" is amplified in here as you get 60 minutes to do pretty much that and that is why floating is so wonderfully rejuvenating. Your skin will not dry out and it will not prune!

Many people love how their skin feels post float.

After your time is up you will hear music and a voice that tells you to carefully exit the tank. Carefully lift your head up squeeze the solution out of your hair and carefully open the door. Hold on to the railing as you step out.

Do not stop to check your texts, do not pass go, do not collect $200! (We hope you get the Monopoly ref...)

Please drip off as much of the solution as you can, so it doesn't end up all over the room. Take a moment to stretch and exhale, then immediately go to the shower to rinse the solution off your body.

Finishing your First Float

Once you are done, join us back in the main room, have a seat if you have time, and reflect on your float.

The sensations can last hours to weeks.

You may meet many people who are incorporating floating into their lives and meet new friends. Some people have traded a weekly happy hour at the bar for a happy hour at our float center. Floating can be a powerful holistic wellness experience.

While floating can produce a strong relaxation effect in many people (especially if they are used to being high output, never stop individuals) you may want to hang out a bit or have a friend or Uber drive you back home.

Longterm Affordability and Health Incorporation

There are many avenues we have set up to make floating affordable for you to float, and float often.

Maybe you purchased one full price float to see if you'll enjoy it. If you do, we can add on 2 floats afterwards that would only cost the remainder of a package. Example 2 floats add on for $80 = a total of $150 spent for 3 floats.

Perhaps you have a friend who referred you with a Think Tank discount code. For every 3 referrals, they earn a free float! We can set up one for you as well.

Are you are a veteran, college student, EMT, active duty firefighter/police or teacher? We have any discounts for that too.

Maybe you have a business that works well with ours. Lets connect on IG and Facebook.

Our prepaid packages and memberships are discounted and shareable and our Monthly Float memberships bring hour long sessions to under $40 each if you float once a week (our 4 float a month membership). Perhaps you and a friend/ relationship want to 2x each month. With our 4 float a month membership that will only be $159.

We highly believe in the benefits of floating and are happy to serve you in your stress management needs.

Thank you for helping us continue to build our community,

-Joe, Taylor, Alex, Sarah

P.S. For all you looking for the science behind floating check out www.clinicalfloatation.com for all past and current research!

Give the Gift of Relaxation

Flotation therapy is a great gift for anyone who needs a little extra relief from the mental and physical stresses of our modern world. It’s like a giant epsom salt bath in your own private room, isolated from external sound and light.

Our clients range from pro athletes and artists to the elderly and disabled, even pregnant women. Almost anyone will experience benefits from floating! We provide everything needed for the experience including luxury shower facilities and a cozy waiting area to relax after the float. Click here  for  gift  card  pricing.

 

 

 

Meditation floating and breathing

Meditation Float

We love the practice of mindfulness here at Think Tank Flotation: from Tea Ceremonies, to hand grinding coffee, to extra long belly breathing sessions (aka a 60 minute float). Things just tend to be more enjoyable when you don't rush them. Unfortunately in 2019 we're out here trying to do everything as fast as possible, 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 but noticing the Facebook notification beckon me, my partner 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 everything I have a “to-do” list 3 miles long that is taunting me from the “memo” list on my phone.

It. is. Exhausting.

It’s exhausting and all I’m trying to do is write an article on how floating is similar to Savasana. Being present is a struggle in 2019, but that's ok. Being mindful has been a goal of spiritual and meditational practices for centuries! If it was difficult THEN, adding the technological distractions of our generation only makes it harder.

Luckily, THIS is where flotation comes in. I think one of the biggest detriments to the practice of floating was the phrase “SENSORY DEPRIVATION”. Deprivation has an immensely negative weight associated with its use. Deprivation implies a want and need for something, but you are being denied. Being DEPRIVED food, water, sunlight when you are in dire need of it. This is NOT how floating feels. Floating has never felt like deprivation, in fact the opposite. Floating allows certain EXTERIOR sensed to be diminished, so that our more INTERNAL senses can be heightened. It is 60 minutes of peace and quiet that we will never passively happen upon. We have to start actively making time for it.

So, here's how flotation works: The water in the tank is purposefully the same temperature as our bodies, that way we aren't distracted by it. The salt to water ratio in each tank allows us to float effortlessly so we aren't subjected to the effects of gravity (this aspect allows our bodies to release muscle tension that impedes our focus and relaxation). Flotation tanks can also be made completely dark to cut down on visual stimulation! This space was truly MADE for meditation. Even someone like myself, an adult with an ADHD diagnosis, is able to focus (or meditate) in a flotation tank. Something I had never been able to do before.

I read an article written by Meg Agnew, a yoga and meditation teacher who explores how Buddhism and yoga complement each other. It is titled “Starting with Savasana.” If you read it and pretend she's writing about flotation, it makes just as much sense. In fact you could replace every mention of Savasana with “floating,” it would really detail the practice of meditation in a float tank:

“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” practice that Phillip describes in 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.”

Try starting your day with Savasana; it's incredible how the act of doing nothing (mindfully) can change the outlook of your day. Try 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. Conscious decisions. Pick the tea, measure it, smell it, wait for it. Try plugging your phone in AWAY from your bed at night. This makes your last moments before sleep peaceful and less taxing on your eyes. Finally, come float. Dedicate an undistracted hour to your brain and body. Our society as a whole could use a little slowing down and some deep breaths.

Try meditation floating the next time you are here, we think you'll have a refreshing different float!

Refer Friends – Float for Free

The word is out, flotation rocks!

And why would you want to keep such a good thing a secret anyway? Refer 3 friends, family members, or enemies (hey, they probably need it the most) and earn a free float. The credits never expire, and there’s no limit to how many free floats you can earn.

Want to know how? It’s easy!

Just sign into your FloatHelm account here and click on ‘Refer Friends for Free Floats’, then click ‘Enroll’. You’ll be given a unique discount code that can be used by new guests for $25 off their first visit. For every 3 times your discount code gets used, you automatically get a free float added to your account. Pretty neat! To get the most out of our referral program, ask us about customizing your code to make it more memorable. Get started now!

Flotation has far reaching benefits for a wide variety of people. Guests who find themselves at our Newport, KY doorstep include competitive athletes, artists, service industry workers, patients with chronic pain, and regular folks with the normal stresses of living in our modern world. Explore the links below to learn about some of the exciting new research around float tanks and sensory deprivation therapy, and check back with us from time to time for special sales and events.

Flotation Research Featured in Time Magazine

First Float Study in Patients with Anxiety and Depression

Antidepressant Effect of Flotation Therapy

Sensory Deprivation or Flotation?

Sensory Deprivation isn't the best term

Our own Joe Daniels explains why he's not a fan of the term sensory deprivation, “It sounds so negative.”

We prefer using the term Flotation, over Sensory Deprivation. Popularized by Joe Rogan and new Netflix shows featuring strange monsters. It's no surprise that negative connotations usually come along with this terminology.

We feel it's important to focus on the fact this is a stress reduction process for full body relaxation, this is not stress inducing.

Flotation over Sensory deprivation

Even if you are claustrophobic, you can float with the lights on and the door open. There is no 'right way' to approach flotation.

What does flotation look and feel like? Well, you don't have to take our word for it. How about you check out this article from Cincinnati Refined, talking about their recent experience in our Flotation Tanks. Not sensory deprivation tanks, because we don't have scary monsters or negative experiences here at Think Tank Flotation!

Is there a difference?

Flotation and Sensory deprivation tanks are similar in goals but can be different in how they're configured. Both seek to reduce sensory stimuli to achieve a greater state of relaxation. In our tanks or float pods, you lie down horizontally to reduce the vertical stress load on your entire body. This allows you to roll around, stretch, and try to work out any of the issues you can now feel in your body.

Sensory deprivation, isn't really flotation since we consider it a very positive experience. Plus, there is no single way to do flotation. You can have the lights on, listen to music, or go for no sensory stimuli at all. It's all a matter of preference, but we do recommend trying your float without any outside stimulation, even if it is just once.

Read on to find out more information about some of the benefits of sensory deprivation....wait, you mean flotation!

Benefits of Flotation

There are myriad benefits to flotation, which benefit you're seeking truly depends on your goals. All the way back in 1983, there was a study published in a medical journal detailing how flotation reduces the presence of the stress hormone, cortisol.

An additional study in 2006 found that the presence of stress reduction could persist for up to 4 months, if flotation was used over a dozen times in that period. The study went on to conclude that flotation tank therapy is an effective method for the treatment of stress-related pain.

 

 

Physical

  • Relief of back and muscle pains
  • Injury recovery and prevention
  • Enhanced Athletic Performance

Mental

  • Enhanced Creativity
  • Depression and Anxiety Relief
  • Help with addiction, PTSD, and body image issues

Spiritual

  • Enlightened consciousness
  • Meditation
  • Circadian Rhythm

Savasana and the Float Tank

Savasana and the Float Tank

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

Recovery, stress relief & recuperation

How floating can aid competition recuperation

Before the upcoming Flying Pig Marathon, Joe from Swing This Kettlebells joins Think Tank Flotation to explain how floating can assist runners with their marathon and half-marathon recovery programs. Recuperation programs are an essential part of all competitive sports and flotation can be a vital part of achieving your goals.

Any sport's impacts lead to a great deal of vertical stress to your body, even a runner. Muscle relief can be had by reducing your vertical load for a short time. That is why floating is one of the best ways to get your body horizontal and relaxed. Removing the vertical stack of your body mass can trigger the decompression you need for true muscle recuperation. Sensory deprivation tanks also can also increase your focus before your big competitive event. It will allow you to help visualize your goals, reducing your anxiety and increasing your overall focus.

Flotation is also one of the best options for adding to your current training regimen if you are looking for additional relief for stressed muscles and a nervous mind before competition.

Watch the video above on why your body may secretly crave floating!

Convinced? Then order your float package here.