Float therapy—also called sensory deprivation therapy or floatation therapy—is a wellness practice where you rest effortlessly in a special tank filled with about 10 inches of warm water and over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. The salt makes you completely buoyant, creating a zero-gravity environment that relieves pressure on your joints, muscles, and spine.
Inside the float tank, sound and light are reduced or removed, allowing your mind and body to fully relax. This combination of weightlessness, silence, and stillness helps reduce stress, ease pain, improve sleep, and enhance mental clarity.
Many people describe it as hitting a “reset button” for both the body and mind. Sessions typically last 60–90 minutes, offering time for deep rest, recovery, and meditation.
Neuroscientist Dr. John C. Lilly developed the first sensory deprivation tank to study how reduced external stimuli affected the mind and body.
Float tanks began appearing in wellness centers across the U.S. and Europe as people discovered their benefits for stress relief, creativity, and mental clarity.
Float therapy became part of Awaken for Wellness in Saint Paul, MN 2015— giving our community direct access to one of the most effective tools for relaxation and holistic health.
Float therapy—also known as floatation therapy or sensory deprivation therapy—uses a specially designed float tank filled with about 10 inches of warm water and 1,000 pounds of dissolved Epsom salt. The high salt concentration makes your body completely buoyant, allowing you to float effortlessly, almost like being weightless.
Inside the tank, the water is heated to skin temperature, so over time you can’t tell where your body ends and the water begins. Most float tanks are insulated to block out light and sound, creating a distraction-free environment. This reduction in external stimulation lets your mind and body enter a deeply relaxed state.
Physical Relief – The zero-gravity effect removes pressure from joints, muscles, and the spine, while magnesium from Epsom salt supports muscle recovery.
Mental Calm – With minimal sensory input, your brain can shift into slower brainwave states, similar to deep meditation.
Whole-Body Reset – This combination helps lower stress hormones, improve sleep quality, and restore energy levels
Anxiety
Depression (mild to moderate support)
PTSD
Burnout
Stress-related disorders
Chronic pain
Fibromyalgia
Arthritis
Muscle soreness
Athletic recovery
Stress relief
Better sleep
Enhanced focus & creativity
Immune support
Overall relaxation & balance
EVIDENCE-BASED BENEFITS OF FLOAT THERAPY
Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy)for both physical and mental health:
Significant stress and anxiety reduction after repeated sessions (NCBI Study)
Decreased blood pressure and cortisol levels (PubMed)
Improvements in pain, depression, and sleep quality (ScienceDirect)
Enhanced muscle recovery and athletic performance (Frontiers in Physiology)
Float therapy is gaining recognition in the medical and wellness communities worldwide:
Used in research hospitals and clinical trials
Recommended by mental health professionals for stress and PTSD management
Adopted by athletes for recovery and performance
Increasingly integrated into holistic wellness practice
Float therapy may not be suitable for:
Uncontrolled epilepsy
Open wounds or skin infections
Severe incontinence
Individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Though the float tanks are spacious, they’re only meant for a single person to fully stretch out. Each float session is a completely private session. You can always schedule a float session with someone at the same time but in separate float rooms.
Single and first floats can often be profound. However, there can be a bit of a learning curve requiring a few floats to feel totally comfortable. Also, floating has powerful cumulative effects and is becoming recognized as an essential part of an optimal ongoing wellness practice. Basically, floating once a week will supercharge your long term physical, mental, and spiritual health.
Many guests love to fall asleep in the relaxing environment of a float tank. In fact, 1 hour of rest in the tank is anecdotally reported as the equivalent of 4 hours of deep restful sleep. Also, because of the high salt content, you will float completely safely whether you’re awake or asleep
First-time floaters with us will need to read and sign a waiver and watch a brief introductory video. Our staff would like to have time to answer your questions and concerns, and most people like to visit the restroom before heading into the tank. We want you to enjoy your full time of floating, so we encourage you to come 15 minutes early
