re: Anyone ever tried a sensory deprivation chamber? What's it like?

If you wanted to get out of the chamber before the scheduled end, how do you let the people know?

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If you wanted to get out of the chamber before the scheduled end, how do you let the people know?

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You can get out at any point. You are not confined to the space. The modern tanks also have lights inside that you're in control of. When I know someone is anxious I advise them to start with with the light on. Turn it off when they feel comfortable in the space. If you get uncomfortable turn the light on. If you are still uncomfortable get out. Take a moment and try to get back in. It's very important to know that you are in control.

Thank you. I enjoy the adventure of self exploration. I'm very passionate about sharing floating because it's a modality that is much more accessible than psychedelics or meditation

Did it once probably 3-4 years ago. Had a couple issues during my session that made the session ineffective:

1) Someone was literally hammering something in the room next to me. Beyond being distracting, it actually pissed me off since it undermined the premise of sensory deprivation.

2) I could see light coming in from the outline of the door/hatch. Again, annoying.

3) I couldn't get my head/neck comfortable. The two most common positions as I understand it are to either use a small, inlflatable pillow to support your head or to simply interlace your fingers behind your head as you float. I couldn't quite get comfortable either way... though I read some advice (afterwards) on how to properly use the pillow/float that might have helped me. Regrettably, I don't remember where I read it, or I'd happily point you to it.

In the end, I complained about the light & noise issues and they agreed to comp me a new session. I questioned whether it would be worth it, but in a round about way, they assured me that they had a better quality tank in another suite and that I basically got the shitty, lower quality tank they had recently purchased while recently expanding the service.

I got jammed up at work for a while and didn't have a chance to reschedule in the short term... then suddenly it was a few months, then a couple years later. So, I never took advantage of the opportunity to use their "better" tank.

I'm still very open minded to it. (I've been engaged in meditative practices for a few years now.) Just haven't gotten around to doing it again. I do think that the quality of experience is likely to improve with experience. Even if I hadn't had noise/light issues, my session would have had limited success due to my inability to make my neck comfortable... I'm sure if I'd followed up again soon, I'd have that ironed out and would have had a better chance of hitting my groove. I think you said you bought a 3 pack of sessions, which gives you a good opportunity to get the feel of it in session 1, then really get into the experience for your 2nd and 3rd sessions.

Other thoughts: google "sensory deprivation tank tips" or similar. Most sites offer similar advice: take it easy on caffeine that day, be hydrated.. but manage it so that you don't have to pee during your session, phone off, avoid touching your face and getting salt in your eyes, try to be relaxed before your session begins, etc.

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It took me about 4 floats before my neck felt comfortable. It does get better the more you float.

I recommend floating arms up however that's comfortable. I do switch it up during my floats. There are new float pillows designed for floating. They are called the Floatease. They're amazing. Ask if your center has them.

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Gotcha. It makes sense that it would... just like meditating. You can't help but fidget and adjust, itch, etc. till you get the hang of it. And I understand there are several ways to position your arms... and it would obviously take some time to figure out which positions are most relaxing. But if/when I give it another try, I see an investment in a Floatease in my future.

Do you do it naked?

Should I shower before? How soon before the session should I show up?

Yes you do it naked

The place I went had a little private suite with a private shower. They encouraged you to shower before getting in (to wash off any hair products other beauty/grooming products you might have on your body that would muck up their water.

They leave the room and you do go in naked... though you have the option of wearing something if you prefer. I guess the feel of cloth on your skin could be a little distracting though. I think these places all make the water pretty much right at body temperature to enhance the quality of literally feeling nothing. So, naked is probably best. Or something like a skin tight speedo type suit... I'd avoid something too billowy/baggy that would brush against your skin or tight elastic.

Don't remember 100%, but I feel like at the end of the hour, they brightened the light in the room and announced over a speaker that time was up so they wouldn't walk in on me naked. Then I had a good 10 minutes or so to use the shower and wash the saltwater off, get dressed, etc.

As far as time, the last thing you want to do is plan to get there at the last minute. The inherent stress of hurrying will give you tension that it will take a little time to shake off. Plan on getting there 10-15 minutes early just to be on a relaxing pace. I actually got acupuncture (at the same place) immediately before the float tank so I'd be good and relaxed to start... so if there's anything else for you to check out at the location you're going to (relaxing in nature, not too stress inducing like a steam bath), you could try that as well.

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“This restless monkey, which is thought, has broken up this world and has made a frightful mess of this world, it has brought such misery, such agony. And, thought cannot solve this, however intelligent, however clever, however erudite, however capable of efficient thinking, it cannot, thought cannot possibly bring order out of this chaos. There must be a way out of it, which is not thought.” J. Krishnamurti

This quote from the brilliant Indian philosopher Krishnamurti references the Buddhist concept of “mind monkeys” or what is sometimes known as the “monkey-mind.” These monkeys are the thoughts comprising an incessant internal dialogue driven by worry, fear, anxiety, and rumination. They are constantly chattering and screeching, creating a cacophony in our mind that pulls us away from the present moment. They create imaginary scenarios, reliving recent past events and anxiety-producing worry about potential future problems.

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This is beautiful and exactly what I needed to read today. How do we kill the monkeys? Particularly, the rumination monkey? How do I keep from constantly thinking and obsessing over the causes of shite in my life, as opposed to finding a solution?

I did it and didn't care for it.

I kept falling asleep - and you know how you can sometimes twitch when you are falling asleep? - every time that happened I'd splash around in the chamber.

That was pretty jarring each time so not exactly relaxing.

I've heard you need to do it several times to learn how to really relax before it starts having as much impact as intended.