Here, time becomes a construct. Up is down and down is up in the curious realm of the sensory deprivation float tank, where reality and perception blur into a dreamlike haze. At Samana Float, the ordinary rules of existence dissolve into a soothing embrace of 11 inches of water saturated with 1,100 pounds of Epsom salt. In this serene cocoon, the boundaries between self and sensation vanish, leaving you floating in a tranquil void where the only constant is the sensation of weightlessness.
Here’s how it works: You step into a pod (or cavern, if you prefer the less claustrophobic space), greeted by water so salty your body will effortlessly float on top of it. “The temperature is meticulously set to 94 degrees,” explains manager Luke Hitchcock, “the same as your skin, to create the sensation of not knowing where your body ends and the water begins.” As you sink into the briny embrace, gloriously suspended in nothingness, the boundary between your skin and the saltwater slowly melts away, and you release not just the weight of the world but also hidden tensions. You might find yourself losing track of up and down, the water and yourself, reality and dreams.
While sensory deprivation tanks are supposed to be completely dark and silent, if you’re inclined, you can opt for sensory stimulation—gentle lights and meditative music. Sessions last 90 minutes, a duration that initially seemed intimidating to me. However, after what felt like a few minutes of feeling myself getting lighter as I let my worries float away, I realized I had no concept of time anymore. Had it been seconds, minutes, or hours? The deeper I sank into the meditative state, the higher I felt I floated away from realities like time, stress, and obligation. Soft piano music that cues the end of your hour-and-a-half float told me that time had indeed flown by. Postfloat, I emerged rejuvenated, my mind slow and calm, the physical relief lingering like a good massage.
