Info about floating

Before your float, it’s important to get a better understanding about floating and floating at Astral Float Studio.

What is floating?

Floating involves resting (FLOATING!) on your back in a pitch-black tank filled with salty, skin-temperature water (34 – 35 degrees Celsius), wearing earplugs and nothing else, or swimmers if you prefer. There is no light, no smell, no touch and no sound besides soft music at the beginning and the end of the float. The water is saturated with 350 kilograms of Epsom salt, making it so dense and buoyant, that you will float no matter what you weigh.

Inside the tank, you will float effortlessly on the water surface with your ears submerged below the water. All parts of your body will feel supported however, there are foam halos and noodles should you need support under your neck. Once you’re comfortable in the tank, you can let go of any tension in your body and experience zero gravity – floating weightless and free.

What are the benefits of floating?

• One hour of sleep in a float tank equals four hours of sleep – perfect for paying off your sleep debt
• Reduces swelling, detoxifies, and increases endorphins
• Creates hemispheric and whole-brain integration
• Reduces muscle tension
• Speeds up physical healing and recovery
• Zero gravity relieves inflammation and joint pressure
• Increases theta brainwaves which are linked to creativity
• Promotes self-introspection and development
• Creates an ideal environment for meditation
• Helps to speed up post-operative recovery
• Ideal for managing back pain
• Lowers blood pressure and cortisol
• Helps with acute insomnia
• Speeds recovery from jet lag
• Rapidly eliminates fatigue
• Reduces stress and stress-related illness
• Improves focus and concentration.

Is it safe to float in Epsom salts?

Yes, it is safe. Floating is perfectly fine for adults and some people under 16 (as long as they are supervised/with legal guardian). Floating is not recommended if you have:

• epilepsy
• kidney disease
• low blood pressure
• open wounds or skin ulcers
• severe skin conditions such as psoriasis
• sensitivity to chlorine, bromine or magnesium
• any contagious disease.

What if I’m claustrophobic?

People with extreme claustrophobia (including Sarah who works at the studio!) find ways to get through the full session. You’re always in control of your float – you can leave the light on inside the tank, you can leave the door slightly ajar and we can leave the music on during your float if you think you need it.

It’s important to focus on your breathing once you’re in the tank – breathing in through your nose, fill up your body and then breathe out through your nose. This will help ease the nerves and reduce anxiety.

Is there anything I should or shouldn’t do before I float?

Try to avoid stimulants before your float, so no coffee, cigarettes, alcohol etc. Don’t shave or wax the day of your float as the salt water can irritate your skin. Eating a light meal at least an hour before your session will stop your stomach from growling during your float. Don’t have a big meal before floating as you’ll feel full and uncomfortable in the tank.

It’s good to arrive at least five minutes before your float. If you’re floating for the first time, please arrive ten minutes before your float to fill in our new client form. We also recommend paying before your float so you can enjoy your post-float feelings without any worry.

Do I need to bring anything?

Please bring your own hairbrush and your swimmers if you want to wear something during your float. If you wear contact lenses, please bring your case and solution to put your contact lenses into before your float.

We provide everything else that you need (towels, earplugs, body wash/shampoo and we have a hair dryer in our accessible bathroom near reception).

Can more than one person float in a tank at a time?

Only one person per tank. We do however have two rooms at Bruce, so two people can float at the same time.

Are the float rooms private?

Yes, you’ll have your own private room with a toilet and shower. The process is as follows – go to the toilet if you need to, have a cool shower (so you don’t overheat your skin) and then step up and into the float tank, the float effortlessly laying on your back. If you need to go to the toilet during your float, exit the tank, go to the toilet and then shower before hopping back into the tank. Then shower at the end of your float to wash off all the salt.

Will my skin wrinkle after an hour in the float tank?

No. The Epsom salt will leave your skin feeling silky smooth.

Can I float if I’m pregnant?

Absolutely, pregnant women love floating! You should check first with your midwife or obstetrician, but most pregnant women in all trimesters enjoy the relief of weightlessness while floating. Please see your physician if you have any concerns before your float.

Can I drown if I fall asleep in the tank?

No. Lots of people fall asleep, but the water is so buoyant that you stay afloat. The worst that can happen is being woken up by salt water in your eyes (it stings!).

Do I have to stay in the whole time?

Time in the float tank goes by faster than you’d expect. Most floaters stay in the tank but it’s entirely up to you.

Is the water in the tank clean?

Yes, besides all of the glorious benefits you get from floating, floating is extremely sanitary.

How so? In each tank, there is a high concentration of Epsom salts (over 350KGs!) dissolved in the water, making it a rather sterile environment. After each float and overnight the solution passes through a filtration system where it is cleaned with bromine. The filter in each tank is capable of screening the water down to as little as one micron (that’s much finer than hair!). Apart from the Epsom salt and the bromine in the filtration system, the water in each tank contains chlorine to ensure it is perfect for floating.

In addition to this, all of our wonderful customers’ shower before hopping into a tank so they are freshly clean. We clean the rooms between each float with lemon citrus disinfectant and steam clean the tiles. After cleaning, we re-set the rooms with fresh towels (bath, face, floor and hand towels) provided from the local linen experts Alsco.

The solution is our greatest asset, so it is paramount we follow water testing protocols twice a day. We test the solution’s pH balance, sterilisation and alkalinity to ensure our tanks are nice and clean. We also use a hydrometer to measure the specific gravity of the solution in each tank, making sure the right amount of Epsom salt is dissolved in the solution – perfecting the zero gravity element of floating.

If you have any questions about the safety of floating, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

What is Astral Float Studio’s cancellation policy?

We block out 1.5 hours for a 60-minute float and it can be difficult to re-book cancelled appointments. We have a 24-hour cancellation policy in place to help us provide better customer service for all floaters. If you need to cancel your appointment less than 24 hours before your float, or if you miss the session, a fee of 50% will be charged to you. If you have pre-paid and need to cancel, with more than 24 hours’ notice, we will either refund you in full or transfer the payment to another date/session.

We know what life can be like and that emergencies do come up. We’ll talk through cancellation with you and come to an agreement.

Can I float if I dye my hair?

You should wait at least a week after you dye your hair before floating to make sure your hair colour doesn’t rinse out in the water in the float tanks.

Can I float if I have dreadlocks?

You sure can, you’ll just need to give them a good rinse after your float.

Can I float if I have a new tattoo or piercing?

The salt water will sting the pierced skin so it’s best to wait up at least two weeks before you float. We recommend giving it a month after you get a tattoo to protect it.

Should I float if I have a problem with my eardrums?

You should check with your doctor before you float, especially if you have had a perforated eardrum. We would advise against floating as your ears will be submerged in the water.

Are refunds available at Astral Float Studio?

Since 2016, Astral Float Studio has had a no refund policy.

What’s the quickest way to book in a float?

Enjoy some blissful me time by
booking online