Floating is on the rise, and this means there are lots of new faces trying floating out for the first time.  When someone comes to you for their first time, what should you say to explain floating? Just as importantly, is there anything you should avoid saying? Or doing?

John Lilly, the creator of the float tanks, passed along his message to Glenn and Lee Perry, his good friends and the manufacturers of the first commercial tank, Samadhi (a name that he gave them).  His message was clear – Thou shall not program.

What does this mean, and how do we accomplish it?  For me, I avoid ever telling people what their float will be like. Instead, I start by talking about some of the more common benefits.  Reduced Gravity, back and spinal decompression, reduction in the work the central nervous system has to do processing stimuli, lowered cortisol… there’s no end of easy examples.

I explain how we run things, how long your float will be, how you’ll know when it’s over, where everything is in the room, what to do if you need to get out mid-float, and what to do once the music comes on and the float is over.  Little tips can go a long way in making sure people have a great float. Things like how to avoid dripping salt on your face, or advising people to try many different hand positions until they find a spot where they don’t even notice their body anymore.

I welcome people to talk with me about the float afterwards if they like. I also let them know that it is alright if they don’t want to, and that we understand that people process things in their own ways.

The details of what you tell people are up to you, but for the sake of each floater, and the industry in general, let the tank do it’s thing. It will take people where they need to go.

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Quinn Zepeda, Founder, Float On

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