The Float Spa in Hove

What exactly is floatation? And what is it like? Single Spy went along to The Float Spa in Hove to have all your questions answered.

The Float Spa is a tranquil and soothing space just off the seafront, which offers yoga classes, massage, and several complementary therapies - as well as floatation therapy. On arrival, I swapped my shoes at the door for a pair of flip-flops, and drank some welcome cucumber water while I filled in my consultation form. As I had booked a pre-float massage, the spa owner, Camille, took me through what floating entailed beforehand, so when I later drifted from massage to float, I could do so without having to take in a short lecture en route.

Meet your floatation pod

At The Float Spa, floatation involves floating in a special white pod, or float tank for around an hour. The pod seemed huge: an enormous white capsule gently illuminated with blue light inside, and with a lid to pull down if you want a truly immersive experience. The pod contains water to the depth of about 25 centimetres and around 450 kilograms of Epsom Salt (the mineral compound magnesium sulfate, which has a long history of use for muscle relaxation). Such a high concentration of salt increases the water's specific gravity (its density), so that when you climb in, you float -- just like in the Dead Sea -- because your body is less dense than the salt water surrounding you. The water is kept at skin temperature.

Camille talked me through the various need-to-knows. She furnished me with mouldable earplugs; these aren't compulsory but some people don't enjoy the feel of water against their eardrums. Also, as the water contains so much salt, when it dries, it can leave little crystals of salt inside your ears. You need to shower before you get into the pod but, if you're using the earplugs, put them in before you shower; they do a much better job of moulding and blocking when dry.

She also provided a small sachet of petroleum jelly. This is to dab over any small cuts or dry areas of skin you may have; if you get into such concentrated salt-water with a cut, you'll soon know about it - that won't be the most relaxing of experiences. If you wear contact lenses, you'll need to remove and store them while you’re floating.

Camille then showed me how to open and close the lid, the position of the internal light switch, and explained the sequence of music. When you first get in the pod, there are ten minutes or so of music then silence. When the hour is coming to its close, the music returns, rousing you from relaxation and signalling that this is the time to get out.

Any worries?

I explained that I was a little apprehensive of my first float. I'm not claustrophobic, but I wasn't sure I could cope with being in total darkness and silence for the best part of an hour. Camille reassured me; I could get out of the pod and in again if I liked; I didn't have to be in total darkness if I didn't want to; I could leave the pod lid slightly open until I felt settled and relaxed; it was my private time, and I could use the floating experience in a way that was comfortable for me. I was completely in control.

First, the massage...

My massage therapist, Sasha, took me through to our treatment room, checked my form, and asked what I wanted to get out of the treatment. She listened carefully to my concerns and took everything into account. I had a massage that incorporated all the twinkly bits I love - scalp, feet, neck and face - as well as some serious focus on my badly knotted shoulder muscles. She adjusted her touch to my sensitivities and eased my spine, winkled out tension in my hips I didn't even know was there, and worked hard on increasing my mobility. Once the massage was over, I put on a towelling robe, Sasha picked up a box containing my clothes, and we crossed the corridor to the floatation pod.

Then float!

I put in my earplugs, showered, and got into the pod, pulling the lid down behind me. The water was pleasantly warm and felt smooth and silky - hardly like real water at all. The music was more like waves than tunes and as the gentle sound faded away, I voyaged to total silence. Sensory deprivation is key here. I tried darkness for a while, but found that I preferred to be able to open my eyes to see the real world if I needed.

The floating sensation was divine. As you float, your body experiences a reduction in the force of gravity. (Gravity itself doesn't cease -- this is beyond the abilities of most floatation tanks -- you just don't experience it in quite the same way.) Not one of your voluntary muscles need to be at work, which means you can be completely relaxed. There is a neck pillow in the pod which I tried, but found I preferred just to let the salt water take my weight and keep my head afloat. I was utterly aligned and at rest. I didn't feel at all "closed in" in the pod, but off somewhere in outer space, disconnected from the real world. As you wear nothing for the experience -- well, you could if you liked, but what's the point when you're alone and the aim is to get you feeling as free as possible? -- this is probably the closest you'll ever get to feeling how you did before being born.

The hour went by remarkably quickly. I felt I had rested and reconnected when the music returned and the time of drifting was over.

I climbed out of the pod and into the shower to rinse the salt away. Everything I needed was there in the room: organic body wash, shampoo, conditioner, towels.

A small note on cleanliness

As I showered, the pod went into its clean cycle. When you take off all your clothes and get into a warm floatation pod, you want to know that it is not only spotlessly clean for you, but also for the person after you. At The Float Spa, the water in the pods is filtered four times between each float; the filters are effective to one micron (100 times smaller than a human hair) so you can go into the experience clean, come out of it clean, and not worry about your cleanliness in between. All is sparklingly.

Once dressed, I moved to the vanity room, which has cotton buds, hairdryers and moisturiser: everything you need to get you looking like you didn't just spend an hour floating in some salt water. Just bring your own hairbrush.

So, why float?

The advantage of having deep massage work done on your shoulder muscles and then floating in warm water for an hour, I discovered, is that your muscles don't complain about it the next day.

That's one reason to have a float. Why else would you?

To relieve pain: Effective weightlessness allows your blood to circulate around your body more efficiently and releases endorphins into your system. Endorphins are natural painkillers that make you feel good - making it an ideal treatment for those who experience chronic pain.

To reduce stress and anxiety: Floating in a little-visited corner of the solar system feels surprisingly peaceful. After a while, the "brain chatter" slows and stops and calm descends. This can only be a good thing for mental health. 

To chill during pregnancy: Floating is a perfectly safe way to cast off the slings and arrows of expectation and relax, relax, relax...

Afterwards

I went to the relaxation area where I sank into soft cushions, refreshed with a small jar of banana and mango sorbet, and uplifted with the Imagine tea from Positvitea.

I was apprehensive about floating but I needn't have been. I can see that as you become more used to being in the pod, it becomes quicker and easier to reach the state of total relaxation where both body and mind are completely calm. I'll be doing it again.

Prices

A one-off float of 60 minutes currently costs £65 at The Float Spa. They recommend you try floating three times so that you become comfortable with the process and can be sure of its benefits; a three-float package is currently £180.

For more information, see The Float Spa's website. 

Or call 01273 933680.

The Float Spa is at, 8 Third Avenue, Hove BN3 2PX