Because floatation is relatively unknown & somewhat "mysterious" it is good to have an idea of what the process for the first float will be like in order to set a nervous mind at ease. Although each float is unique, there are some commonalties that may help to know beforehand. Simply arrive at float matrix at the time of the appointment or a few minutes before. You are not required to bring anything except possibly an open mind. If the front door is locked, simply dial float matrix on the directory & we will let you in. Walk back to the elevator, go down to the lower level, & follow the signs to float matrix. When you arrive, you will receive an intake form to fill out. When this is finished, the orientation will begin. The orientation starts in the showering room where you will be informed on what to do before your float. After the showering room, you will be led to the floatation room & shown a floatation pod. Here we will go over all the things you need to know about your float & will give you the opportunity to ask any & all questions until you feel confident w/ floating. If you have scheduled other services such as the infrared sauna or brainpaint, these will, in most circumstances, take place before your float. After the orientation, you will begin the process by showering & then making your way to the float pod. The first float is almost always the "hardest" float. What sets floatation apart from any other technique is that it allows the mind to "let go", but this can take a while in the first float because there are so many unknowns. A typical first float will begin by entering the float pod & choosing to close the door or leave it propped open as shown in the orientation. Next a person will lay back & turn off the light. At this point, most people become intrigued at how easy it is to float & how pleasant the feeling is & will usually bounce around in the float pod for a few minutes before settling in. The next stage tends to be difficult. This is when someone has bounced around for a while, has settled in, & realizes that there is nothing to do. A person will usually get fidgety & restless. During the orientation we will go over how to best allow yourself to relax which is simply by focusing on your breath. So during this time of feeling restless, simply feeling the breath will help you to relax easier. This period seems to last the longest as one becomes very aware of the tension they are holding & how much the mind races w/ this tension in the body. As one becomes more & more comfortable w/ themselves, they will slowly give themselves permission to let go. As one begins to let go, they don't necessarily notice that they have let go. It is usually in coming back, sometimes w/ a startle, that they realize that they let go. Also they are more comfortable w/ "being back" as much of the tension releases when they let go so the mind slows & the peace begins to settle in. Most people will encounter a period of shifting in-between the state of letting go & coming back & it will be experienced as a sort of "fluttering" between waking & sleeping. This is the most common sign that the brainwave pattern has moved into "theta". During this theta-state, a person's thought process will be dreamy. Organizing thoughts in the normal way is diminished & a less rigid thought process takes over. It is also during this period that people will begin dreaming while awake. This is the famous "hallucinations" that people have while floating. They simply witness dreaming in their awakened state. This period will usually last most of the rest of the float. When the 1-hour mark is nearing, a person will often sense that their time is coming to an end & "letting go" can prove to be difficult as their intellect & rigid thinking process becomes active again. It is during this period that simply breathing & reflecting on what they have experienced is good. When the hour is up, we will turn on the light & softly tap on the side in case you have fallen asleep. When you are ready, simply sit up keeping your head slightly back so that the salt doesn't enter your eyes, open the door, & exit. This is usually a good time to take your washcloth & wipe your forehead to keep the salt out of your eyes. Place your robe around you & walk to the shower room to rinse off. It is often during the shower that people will begin to notice their relaxation. Relaxation in a float pod is different than a massage & sometimes it takes a little time before someone settles in to how they feel. When you are finished showering, you will enter the reception & have access to water, tea, & some granola in case you are thirsty or hungry. As relaxation flushes stress hormones, people's digestion becomes active again & hunger tends to be prevalent after a float. After this you make take care of payment, set up your next float, & be on your happy way. And that is a typical first float
