Floating (also known as REST or Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) is a deep relaxation technique that is simple and at the same time creates a multilayered and beneficial reaction from the body (learn more about the benefits and the science of floating). It’s so simple in fact that little is required other than to lay back and allow yourself to let go of tension and mental chatter. In order to float you step into a float spa which is a small room with a pool of water at the bottom. The water is 10 inches deep and is saturated with over 800lbs of Epsom Salt, a curative form of salt that has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions and to pull toxins from the body. The water and room temperature are set to the same temperature of the surface of the skin, 93.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

During the session, you can control light and sound depending on the use of your session. Some people prefer to limit all sensory input by floating in the dark with no sound, creating a profoundly relaxing sensory deprivation environment. Others prefer to listen to relaxing music during their session. When used for specific hypnotic suggestion or accelerated learning, tapes can be played under the water for a very effective personal growth tool.

Floating for the first time creates a wide variety of new experiences. It can take a bit of time to get used to all the new sensations, including the lack of distractions. The benefits of floating happen with one session, however it is common for it to take 3- 5 sessions before the full effects of floating can be noticed.As you begin to sit in the water, you will find that there is resistance and it’s actually hard to touch the bottom. Your butt will want to pop up in the water! This is the buoyancy effect created by the high density of the dissolved salt.Allow yourself to lie back gently and settle into the feeling of weightlessness. This is the closest you will come to the experience of being without gravity. Relax and get comfortable. Notice where there is tension and focus on relaxing that part of your body.Experiment with different body positions. Try floating with your arms above your head instead of by your side. Some people find that putting their hands behind their head can help to relax neck muscles.

As you float, allow your mind to go blank. You may find that you have lots of mind chatter, which is normal. Like meditation, it can take time to let your mind adjust to the effects of the lack of stimulation. Simply note the thoughts and go back to focusing on letting go of tension. Some people find that focusing on your breathing can enhance relaxation.The water and air temperature are the same temperature as your body, which helps create the feeling of truly floating, all sensation of support on your body falling away. You may find that you drift off to sleep. This is very common and very safe. It has been determined that an hour of floating is equivalent to 4 hours of deep sleep.

After your first session, you should feel relaxed and rested.After several sessions of floating it is common to have feelings of intense well being that can result in effects such as enhanced senses, colors and sounds are more vibrant, greater alertness and energy and feelings of happiness and even euphoria. These effects can last well beyond the session

While a single float is beneficial, those that float more frequently and as an overall part of their wellness program find increasing health benefits that are sustained over time. It also becomes more common to have experiences of profound well-being and consciousness expansion similar to those associated with the long term results of meditation. No effort is needed in order to receive the benefits of floating. In fact, it is recommended that your first few times floating you simply allow yourself to “Driftaway” and experience deep relaxation. However, as you become more acclimated to the feeling of floating, there are some additional techniques and tools that you can use to enhance the benefits of your experience if you choose. In particular when you have a specific behavior goal such as weight loss or performance enhancement, these tools can amplify the floating experience. Everyone is different, see what works for you.

These techniques can help you to let go and reach deeper levels of relaxation. This technique can be done several ways. One is to simply focus on your breathing. Rhythmic and soothing, it can help to quite the mind and bring the consciousness to a place of stillness. You may also focus on breathing deeply into your diaphragm, so that as you breathe you relax your abdominal muscles and your belly expands. Because of conditioning it is common to hold ones stomach in and tighten those muscles. This contributes to the fight or flight response of the body and inhibits relaxation. And finally, another technique is to breath through ones nose. You may also count to ten as you do this, letting go of any thoughts that might come to awareness. Another technique is to move through your body, focusing on each and every part as you consciously relax that area. You can also visualize healing light or relaxing warmth radiating on each part as you bring your awareness there. Release all tension and let yourself relax and sink deeper relaxed and hypnotic states.

Hypnosis is often thought of as a special state that takes a practitioner to induce. In fact, often in our lives we are in a light hypnotic state - the combination of relaxation and focused attention. Perhaps while listening to music, or watching TV, or engaged in a focused activity. Research shows that this state is beneficial in itself but what really makes it a powerful tool is to use it with the power of suggestion. Floating and using suggestion is a highly effective way to lessen pain, access memories, make body changes, eliminate unwanted habits, heal more rapidly and to reinforce more positive attitudes and beliefs. Follow these general principles for whatever your desired application is: Repeat: Repetition of your suggestion and perhaps even using variations on words used and images will increase its effectiveness. Use present tense: The unconscious is very literal. Use words such as "I am" rather than "I will" which implies the future rather than it being true NOW. Use Positive Statements: Research shows that the brain responds more favorably to positive statements such as "I am healthy and my ideal weight" rather than "I am not overweight". The negative statement puts the emphasis on the thought "overweight" rather than the desired outcome of "ideal weight". Experience it as real: Allow yourself to suspend disbelief and feel that the suggestion is true. When you experience it as real in your imagination, the subconscious can then accept it as real. Be specific: Focus on specific outcomes rather than general attitudes. "I am closing the Smith account" rather than "I am a good salesperson". Visualize: Combine visual images with your suggestions and see yourself as accomplishing your suggested behavior/outcome. (see Visualization techniques below for more details) Be Rhythmic: Accessing the right-brain can be enhanced by finding a natural rhythm to your suggestion " such as chanting, a song or poetry. Find a natural pace and repeat.

Mental images are a powerful tool which is enhanced when brain waves deepen to the Theta state, common during floating and meditation. The trick with visualizing is to find what works for you, be playful and creative. Perhaps try over the top theatrical exaggeration, or slow-motion detailed play by play images. Try invoking realism - smells, sounds, etc. Or perhaps a more romanticized image of you accomplishing your goal is more effective for you. One technique that has been effective is to be the director of your own movie. See yourself performing from all angles, replay important parts, and see yourself in the lead. What does it feel like to accomplish your goal? Research suggests that visual images that are held in the mind firmly enough can be accepted by the mind as actually memories with the same benefits..

Prerecorded tapes/CD’s can also be used for providing suggestion during self-hypnosis. In addition, audio provides a great opportunity for accelerated learning. By playing language tapes or other informational programs while floating - you can take advantage of the receptive theta brain state. Overall learning capacity and retention show significant improvements over traditional studying. As you float, allow your mind to go blank. You may find that you have lots of mind chatter, which is normal. Like meditation, it can take time to let your mind adjust to the effects of the lack of stimulation. Simply note the thoughts and go back to focusing on letting go of tension. Some people find that focusing on your breathing can enhance relaxation.The water and air temperature are the same temperature as your body, which helps create the feeling of truly floating, all sensation of support on your body falling away. You may find that you drift off to sleep. This is very common and very safe. It has been determined that an hour of floating is equivalent to 4 hours of deep sleep.

After your first session, you should feel relaxed and rested.After several sessions of floating it is common to have feelings of intense well being that can result in effects such as enhanced senses, colors and sounds are more vibrant, greater alertness and energy and feelings of happiness and even euphoria. These effects can last well beyond the session