a floating brain

For our one year anniversary the HyWy and I decided to do something very relaxing and calming.  We went to the Float Center

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.  At the Float Center I (the HyWy got an hr massage and then did the following) spent one hour a 4' by 8' tank, which was filled with 10.5" of water.  The water has 1000 lbs. of medical grade epsom salt dissolved in it.  There is sufficient salt in the water that it is impossible to drown.  If you turn over and lay face down in the water then your eyes will start to burn and you will flip over again.  The water temperature is set so that at a certain point one loses awareness of where their body ends and where the water begins in effect becoming a "floating brain."  Naturally this is a very unusual experience, but we have all been there once before in the womb.  As I lay in the tank my first reaction was to hold my head up and thus my neck was stiffened.  However, as time passed my body relaxed and the most amazing feeling was laying there in total darkness, hearing my heartbeat, and not moving at all.  Eventually I began to drift into sleep and before I knew it my time was up.  The benefits of floating range from the obvious (muscle relaxation, back pain, etc.) to the less obvious (hangover relief, jet lag relief, stress relief, increased learning, increased creative thinking, etc.).  I would definitely consider going back to try this again.  What surprises me is that it's not a very well known procedure, but it is so simple (the fact that you can float in the Dead Sea is nothing new) and it has been around for almost 60 years. 

In case people are interested in going locally to the Float Center, which is off of 23rd Ave. and 880 in Oakland tell them that you heard about it from the HyWy (well use her real name).  I particularly enjoyed the Float Center, because she explained the whole concept very well, has a nice shower for people to use before and after, and prepares tea for you after your float.  For those in other parts of the country (or world) check out this website for locations near you.