 
If you know me well, you know that I’m half-business and Type-A, and I’m half-positive thinking and quirky.
So when a PR agency recently invited me to, and I quote, “Come for a float or a treatment and stay for one of the many yoga, meditation and wellness workshops at Floating Lotus. The skylit, rooftop studio has been dubbed – “One of NYC’s most blissful places to practice…”
Well, let’s just say I was intrigued. To say the least.
Floating Lotus is a basecamp where you can begin the exciting journey towards wholeness. The entire place is peaceful, inspired and creative. They offer a variety of treatments and classes to help you achieve the best you can be — yoga classes, laser hair removal, floatation therapy, infrared sauna, facials, led light therapy, peels, reiki, and more.
I had never been to a holistic spa before, aside from getting Reiki treatments every month or so. But I loved the idea of investing in some self-love and energy healing. I decided to try their famous floating session.
Floatation Therapy Session: The Science
The floatation session is a truly unique experience.
Each of the float rooms contains a tub filled with warm water, hundreds of pounds of epsom salt, and total silence.
Epsom salt is a combination of magnesium and sulfate. Magnesium is an abundant mineral that your body needs for about 300 processes, including blood pressure regulation blood pressure, aids in bone health and muscle function, to name a few (Magnesium).
Most of the time, magnesium is ingested in foods like spinach and almonds. A lot of us are magnesium deficient, without realizing it. By using it in a bath, or especially in a floatation room, you can help to restore your body’s magnesium levels.
Magnesium sulfate has a lot of beauty benefits. You can mix it with your favorite deep conditioner to add body to your hair to increase hair density (Magnesium Sulfate), or use it to help to soothe and improve the skin. According to one journal, “The [magnesium sulfate-rich] spring water became well known for its potent palliative properties, including the curing of skin diseases such as the ‘scorbutick itch,’ or scurvy” (Epsomite).
So, although studies are limited, it seems that magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt) baths or floatation experiences can have soothing, relaxing, and skin- and hair-beautifying properties.
Floatation Therapy Session: The Experience
Floatation therapy was unlike anything I had ever tried. It is honestly like you are “floating.” You’re also completely naked, which is why I didn’t have pics of me actually in the tub (this is not that kind of blog).
The hardest part of it for me was completely letting go, which you have to do in order to actually float. Otherwise, you’re hanging onto the sides of the tub, kinda floating, and kinda bathing, and not really enjoying it. The key is to let go — kind-of like a full-body immersive yoga experience — and let the water support you.
Occasionally salt water got into my eyes, but then I used the squirt bottle and washcloth that was provided on the side of the tub, and it was fine. Again, the hardest part was reminding myself to let go and stop trying to control everything.
I admittedly got into it for about ten minutes. It took a while for me to let go to the point I would actually float, but once I did, it was incredible. It was like you were in a literal water bed, soothing and relaxing and supportive.
Bottom Line
If you’re into a quest for self-improvement, or want to invest more into positive living, visit Floating Lotus the next time you’re in New York City. With a vast array of services, ranging from floatation therapy to Reiki to yoga, it’s an incredible place to invest in self-care!
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