For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been attracted to water. Growing up, I was the kid who would take baths until my fingers were prunes. During beach trips to the Jersey Shore, I’d spend the whole day in the water, flailing about in my favorite one-piece swimsuit with a big hole for my belly. I was on countless swim teams—not for the competition or the exercise really—but to be in the water. In college, I wrote my senior thesis on the evolution of marine paintings—from Dutch landscapes to Turner to Georgia O’Keeffe. It’s odd that I ended up falling in love with the land-locked state of Vermont, because the sound of lapping waves, the sweet smell of salt air and the bliss of floating in the ocean are just a few of my favorite things.

Satori Float Spa

The float tank at Satori Float Spa.

When I received a Localvore alert with a promotion for Satori Float and Mind Spa, I was intrigued. What the heck was a float spa? I had no idea; it sounded appealing at least. I searched their website extensively and learned that 1) a float is a type of restorative therapy designed to promote inner calm and total relaxation, 2) it takes place in a buoyant float tank (that resembles an MRI machine and is known as an isolation tank), and 3) a 60-minute float has the same restorative benefits of four hours of sleep.

Now, I’ll do most anything once, so I paid $30 for the 90-minute float at Satori through Localvore. My birthday was coming up, and I decided it would be the perfect experience to kick off my last year in my 20s: a time to reflect, relax and recover, and give myself a well-deserved break from the external world. I booked an appointment online, read everything I could find about the experience (I like to be in control, I can’t help it) and told just about everyone I know about my “float spa” appointment for my birthday.

The Float Spa Experience

The morning of my float, I skipped my morning cup of joe (and the shaving of my legs), which is recommended by Satori Float Spa for complete relaxation, and drove up to Shelburne, Vermont. When I found the building, I went through a brief orientation with the owner of the floatation spa, Rahn Bouffard. He explained the steps for floating and introduced me to the tank: essentially a lightproof and soundproof sensory-deprivation tank, containing 10 inches of water at 93.5 degrees (skin temperature) and 800 pounds of Epsom salts.

The two tanks at the Satori Float and Mind spa are made by Samadhi Tank Company, which has been making float tanks since 1972 (how is it again that I had never heard of this experience?). To gage the tank’s size, I’m 5’10” and when I was completely stretched out with my arms above my head, I could barely touch both ends of the tank; the width was about that of  a twin-sized bed.

Learning about Satori Float Spa

The solution in the float tank has the consistency of olive oil and the buoyancy of the dead sea, so you will float—even you, that person who says you can’t float. Before entering the tank, you have to shower thoroughly to remove any body products that could contaminate the solution: deodorant, makeup, body lotion, etc. Once you shower, you put in ear plugs, done your goggles and apply petroleum jelly to any cuts, bruises or nicks on your body. Yes, even that papercut you have will sting like a bastard in a tank with 800 pounds of Epsom salts.

Then you step into the slippery tank, get your bearings and lie on your back with your head towards the back of the tank. Suddenly, you’ll begin to float weighlessly, like a cork, ridding yourself of the feeling of needing to hold yourself up. Floating naked in a tank is the closest thing to being in the womb, floating effortlessly, only hearing your breathing, heartbeat—or in my case—my rumbling stomach. When you dip your ears into the briny solution, you’ll begin to hear meditation music that I found quite soothing.

Once I entered the tank and found my way onto my back, I experimented with a few different positions to get comfortable. You can throw a floatable head brace into the tank to support your neck, along with a rolled foam tube to support your knees should you have lower back discomfort. I tried both and determined I was most relaxed when I was floating without any props. I was most comfortable with my arms stretched above my head with my hands clapsed and found myself fading off into an almost sleep-like state.

So, Would I Do It Again?

The 90-minute float felt like about 15 minutes to me—it was thoroughly calming. Although the experience was a bit trippy and very introspective given the sensory deprivation, I emerged with skin as soft as butter, a sense of peace and, I like to think, a happy glow. I was also quite energized and more alert after my visit, ready to enjoy the rest of my rainy birthday. The unique experience was worth it in and of itself; the mental clearness I experienced and release of body tension were a bonus. I just might make a float a birthday routine in the future, if I can wait that long for the escape and restoration it provides. Ready to try it out? Book here!

Tips for Visiting Satori Float and Mind Spa in Vermont:

• Make sure you don’t shave or wax any part of your body before the appointment, or you will be slathering petroleum jelly all over your body for protection from the salt.
• Wear the goggles. I opted for them and was glad I did. When I stepped into the shower after the tank, covered in the briny solution, a bit of the salt got in my eyes and damn did it sting.
• Arrive early for your introduction to floating. You’ll have to read some instructions and then Rahn show you the tank room and give you instructions for your float. You’ll want time to ask questions and shower thoroughly without rushing. It is a spa afterall!
• Not a fan of meditation music? Rahn can play your favorite Pandora station or no music at all if you want a deep meditative soak.
• Bring conditioner! Satori Float Spa offers lavendar and unscented shampoo and body lotion but you might need a little conditioning after all of that salt in your hair.
• Worried about the cleanliness of the tank? You know you’re supposed to get out of the tank when you begin to hear and feel water swirling. That’s the begin of the filtration process, which flushes the water thoroughly before the next floater.
• Satori offers a variety of discounts: $5 off if you bring your own towel, $20 off if you bring a friend (in different tanks at the same time) and 50% off for same day appointments! If you refer three people, you’ll get a free float. If you buy five floats, you’ll get the sixth free!
• I’ve never suffered from claustrophobia, but I could see some people thinking they’d become claustrophobic in the tub. Since it’s completely black inside and your eyes will most likely be closed, you can’t really get a sense for your surroundings. You can also leave the door to the tank open if you prefer.
• Want even more details of floating? Download Satori’s beginners’ guide to floating where you can find all of the details about the Satori Float and Mind Spa experience.

Satori Float and Mind Spa

145 Pine Haven Shores Rd, #1135  (once you turn down Pine Haven Shores, it’s the complex on the left. Look for the Satori sign.)
Shelburne, VT 05482
(802) 498-5555

Have you ever floated? What was your experience? Share with others below!