So there I was, one hour from my first sensory deprivation experience. I was somewhat nervous to be perfectly honest. Me – alone in the dark, baptized into my sub-conscious mind. On any typical day thoughts race through head like George Costanza on LSD.
It was raining that day – the perfect segue into what was a new and unique experience to me. I sat in the lobby for what felt like 30 seconds and was guided to THE POD.
The rules of the experience were explained – but I failed to listen – I was too excited to start that I almost forgot to take the required shower before entry.
I stared at the pod for a few moments – it reminded me of something out of a science fiction film from the 1960’s.
As I entered the pod, I adjusted into a comfortable position onto my back and held my feeble, herniated neck into place. Once I felt the 1000 pounds of salted water holding me like a baby, I let go. I shut the music off. Then the lights. I expanded my arms, ya know, like Christ…and let go.
I watched the thoughts fly through my head like the Jetsons.
“This is like a Black Mirror episode…”
“What if the pod doesn’t open?”
“What if it did and an alien wielding a scalpel was standing over me?”
“Did I eat today? There must be taco shop close by.
And then…I entered the Theta state. I felt as if I was spinning, forward and back, left to right. I hallucinated a bit (just some shiny lights) and I fell into sleep. The most calm sleep I have ever had.
A voice awoke me telling me my session was complete.
I disembarked the vessel, washed all the salt from my body and vowed to do this again as soon as possible.
– Christian Majewski
Pause Float introduces you to the art of floating, a revolution in stress-reduction and regeneration, a contemporary practice where you tune out the chaotic external world – and tune into your innermost consciousness. For an hour at a time, immerse into one of their private, soundproof flotation suites and float in our custom-blend of buoyant Epsom salts, allowing you to lie back and tune out, unplugging from every sound, care and worry.
Benefits
sleep
stress relief
pain management
mindfulness and creativity
focus and productivity
athletic performance
physical recovery
They also have INFRARED SAUNA
PRICING
introductory | 60-min.
single session | $69
three-session package | $189 ($63 per session, includes a 30-min. infrared sauna session)
standard | 60-min.
single session | $75
two-session package | $130 ($65 per session)
five-session package* | $300 ($60 per session)
ten-session package* | $570 ($57 per session)
*sharable packages
NEW | EXPRESS FLOAT | 40-min.
single session* | $49
*introductory and standard pricing is the same, no packages available
The Science of Floating
During the early 1950s there was a big question in the world of neurophysiology as the source of our brain’s consciousness. Is the brain simply an organ reacting to external stimuli, or is there some internal force that it responds to as well? There were many theories as to how the brain would react to a completely sensory-free environment.
One man named John C. Lilly decided to find out. By 1954, Lilly had built the first ever floatation tank in the National Institute of Mental Health Lab in the Virgin Islands. Lilly’s tank used water to allow people to float comfortably and to effectively reduce all sensation of touch.
The results were incredible. Lilly found more and more people coming out feeling amazing, reporting of personal discovery and self-actualization. This encouraged Lilly to continue his exploration of the float tank, building one or two more tanks in different laboratories in the United States.
For the next 20 years, floating remained exclusively in the laboratory setting, until 1972 when Lilly partnered up with Glenn and Lee Perry. He asked them to design a commercially available float tank that people could have in their homes. The first float center was opened, a five-tank center in Beverly Hills in 1979.
This center was met with immediate success and was emulated across the US. Float centers started popping up in every major city, new manufacturers started to enter the market, and the industry as a whole began to make a name for itself. After 60 years of progress, the world of floating is becoming mainstream. Tranquil lighting, therapeutic music, two-way communication and lobby controls, aesthetically pleasing design, and a welcoming environment have led to a new beginning in the industry.
13353 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90066 • 310.439.1972
More about floating!
floating lowers stress hormones, replenishes neurotransmitters, and releases endorphins, which induces ultra-deep relaxation and provides a zen-like afterglow that can last for days
effortlessly slip into meditative states, which has a plethora of proven benefits. you’ll feel intensely awake, yet extremely relaxed and clear-headed
the womb-like environment provides a euphoric boost in energy, which is ideal for when we’re jet lagged, sleep deprived, or drained from a long work-week
