When a friend suggested a day out to visit Floating Point in Pangbourne I thought to myself ‘what’s the point’ – the idea being that we go along to, well – float!
Apparently we were to go and experience Flotation Therapy – which involved floating in a pod in water which has 500kg of Epsom Salts dissolved in it. Sounded a bit mad to me. However I thought that it would be nice to have a day out with my friend and I’m happy to try anything once.
The day got off to a good start as the drive provided the opportunity for a good chat. We arrived at an unprepossessing building in Pangbourne, a pretty little town easily accessible from the M4, in good time for the 11 o’clock floating sessions which my friend had booked for the 2 of us – she’s already a fan having done this several times before. She knew the routine and unlike me, laden down with towels, shampoo etc, was travelling light as all towels, Faith in Nature shower gel shampoo and conditioner are all provided.
Once inside the building there was a pleasant relaxing ambience, soothing music and smells. I was given a short induction by Tina, one of the owners and then shown into the float room where there was a ‘pod’ ready with the water ready waiting for me. The pod looks like a something out of a sci-fi film – white and smooth, like a capsule. The lid opens and after a shower I climbed in to the pod, opting to close the lid after me, settled into a comfortable floating position and let myself drift,whilst listening to some soothing music. There were lights in the pod but I chose to switch them of and waited to see what would happen.
The dense Epsom salt solution, creates an environment similar to the Dead Sea which enables the individual to float effortlessly on the surface. The water is heated to body temperature so that once settled, it is virtually impossible to distinguish between parts of the body that are in contact with the water, and those that aren’t, in effect “fooling” the brain into believing that the person is floating in mid-air.
I took some time to settle and get used to my unusual environment, but gradually I relaxed, emptied my head of all intrusive thoughts and drifted until I fell in to a deep sleep. The hour passed very quickly and I came to with a gradual awareness of music filtering through. I needed a bit of time to come back in to the present and reorientate myself, then I had a lovely shower and hairwash, got dressed and moved slowly in to a relaxation room where I was served a refreshing homemade sorbet and a cold drink (I could have had a fruit or herbal tea) Then to round off our chilled out day my friend and I went off for a tasty lunch at the Cafe St Louis 2 minutes walk from Floating Point.
Floating, as well as promoting deep relaxation is good for relieving chronic pain, arthritis, lowering blood pressure, decreases levels of stress hormones as well as speeding up recovery from injuries, increases magnesium absorption and various other physical and mental health benefits. It is particularly good for the over 55s!
Whatever, I’m converted and plan to go back to Flotation Point – and next time I hope to take my husband.
For more information visit “Floating Point”:http://www.FLOATING-POINT.CO.UK
