Naked. Dark. And Floating.

                              

In my continual exploration of the mind-body connection, I took the opportunity to go to Annica Float Club in Naperville and experience an hour in a sensory deprivation tank also called a flotation tank. 

Tell me more, you say?  Basically, you float in a dark, soundproof tank in skin temperature water in which 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts have been dissolved. The benefits reported are mental, emotional, psychological and physical. I won't list the numerous benefits here - if you're interested, there's TONS of information out there. Many professional and Olympic athletes use float tanks to increase performance, prevent injuries, dramatically reduce muscle recovery time and most importantly improve visualization of success. Others with chronic pain, depression, anxiety, stress and many other health related ailments find lasting relief through floating.

I wasn't sure what to expect - it sounded super relaxing. The added bonus is that the owners of Annica Float are fellow Vipassana mediators - so it was definitely worth an hour of my day.

So, I arrived at Annica Float Club and met the lovely owner Lindsay. We sat and chatted for a few minutes as I signed the requisite release forms; then she gave me a tour and made sure I was prepped for my float.

I popped in some ear plugs and took a quick shower in order to remove any oils and residues from my body. I then stepped into the float room which was a warm, quiet, private bath spa. I rested on my back and floated right on top of the dense salt water. 

I think it took me a few minutes - don't know for sure, because I felt like I was in a time and space vaccuum! - to soften and relax. Interestingly, the most challenging part to relax was my neck! Eventually, through calm steady breathing, I felt my neck soften and the back of my head and ears sank below the surface of the water. All I could hear was the sound of my breath. 

Once you find a comfortable position, it is recommended that you float in stillness. As I ceased moving my body, I felt the sensation of my arms just naturally floating above my head. It was so calming and relaxing! There is a dim blue light that is on in the tank which I opted to switch off so that I could float in total darkness. Some time was spent in feeling each tiny twitch and itch in my body, especially on my face. I practiced watching the sensations without reacting to them, overcoming the urge to move and fidget.

Soon, all I heard was the sound of my heart beating. The steady, rhythmic source of my life, and I thought to myself, "No wonder I love the beat of drums so much; it reminds me of my heartbeat! or maybe it reminds me of hearing my mother's heartbeat while I lived in her womb." 

The sensation of the body temperature water that I floated in and the surrounding air temperature that was equally maintained created a sensation of not knowing where my skin ended and the water began. Soon, I lost connection to my body - which is only a temporary vehicle anyway - realizing that my mind still existed. So I started watching the randomness of my thoughts which is exactly what my meditation practice entails. After a few moments of acknowledging the surfacing of some obscure memories, I felt an overwhelming sense of just BEING. A total transcendence of owning or wanting any possessions and the urge to DO or achieve. Just floating in the darkness with such a sense of peace and tranquility. Simply BEING.

Another interesting part of this experience was my total lack of fear in the pitch blackness. I still run through my house when it's pitch black with this unfounded fear of what is unseen behind me - usually the boogeyman or a serial killer. In this darkness, I found no fear; only peace enveloped me. As in some of my meditations, there is a swirling and patterning of colors around the space between my eyebrows. I experienced that while floating, and I opened my eyes; and I could still clearly see the swirling color energies. I had a moment where I couldn't be sure if my eyes were really open or not.

At this point, my mind started to stir again. I began to anticipate the lights coming back on, signaling the end of my session. Although Lindsay recommended total stillness, I began small wavelike motions with my body, feeling so light and lithe in the heavy water. That motion triggered a vague feeling of nausea, much like motion sickness. Soon after, the lights went on and started flashing, ending my floating session.

I stirred from my float in a dream-like state. Stepping right out of the float spa directly into the shower to remove the heavy Epsom salt from my body and hair. I got dressed and was greeted by Lindsay in the reception area where we sipped some lovely herbal tea together and discussed the float and all aspects of life.

I left feeling a bit in a trance state, still processing this amazing experience! I definitely plan to go back again! Now that my mind and body are accustomed to the experience, I hope to access deeper theta states.

Is this meditative, healing therapy for you? 

I would definitely recommend it if you are interested in:

the metaphysical

a holistic approach to health and wellness

releasing stress, insomnia, anxiety

relieving chronic pain

Annica! Annica! Annica!!! Be happy! Be happy! Be happy!!

I Got Cupped!

Cupping is an ancient Eastern practice where cups made of either glass, plastic or bamboo are placed on strategic areas of the energetic body (either with heat or manually pumped) to stimulate areas of tissue that have become blocked. The suction of the cups (which are applied from 5-20 minutes) clears stagnant lymphs by drawing toxins to the surface from deep tissues and increases blood circulation to those blocked areas.

It looks much worse than it feels!! Cupping has been around for thousands of years and can be traced back to ancient China and Egypt. It has gained popularity once again in the West thanks to celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham. You also may have noticed many Olympic athletes with the tell-tale cup-hickies on their bodies. Cupping therapy is now widely used by many physical therapists and massage therapists for a wide range of injuries.

I've practiced yoga and meditation regularly for the past decade and have included massage therapy as part of my wellness program for that time frame as well. I'm always exploring holistic and alternative approaches to wellness. I chose to get cupped to address some specific areas of pain in my body. I've had chronic right shoulder pain and tightness for more than a decade now, which I once thought was caused by stress. I also experience tightness in my right psoas and occasionally I have sciatic pain.  All on the right side of my body.

So how exactly does it work? The creation of negative pressure (suction) softens tight muscles, loosens areas of dehydration and lifts connective tissues in order to hydrate body tissues with increased hydration of blood and lymphs. The toxins that are raised are then drained by the lymphatic pathways. It essentially awakens areas of the body that have been blocked and stagnant creating invigoration and a profound and prompt level of healing, creating smooth and healthy glowing skin.

The application of the cups feels like an intense pinching sensation that lessens over time. I felt a great sense of relief and release when the cups were removed!

The marks left by the cupping procedure vary on individuals based on the level of toxicity in the body. They are not painful, and while mine look like large bruises or hickeys, they are not tender to the touch. The red purplish color is supposed to be dead blood that was brought to the surface.

I felt fine after my cupping procedure - it was after a 60 minute foot and body massage, so my muscles and connective tissues had been cleared out and circulation was ripe for the procedure. It wasn't until several hours later, once I was home and relaxed, that I began to feel the effects.

I'd had a pretty active and full day, but nothing more than my normal daily routine. I was hit by a sensation of exhaustion and nausea, so I soaked in a long, luxurious bubble bath for several minutes.  I had a reaction similar to an allergy attack, where my nasal passages felt inflammed and clogged. 

I then sat to meditate and felt strong, thick pulsation sensations coursing through my shoulders and neck into my sinus cavities. Then my nasal passages suddenly released, and I blew my nose every few minutes for a couple of hours - it was thin, clear liquid. I am guessing it was my lymphatic system draining additional toxins. I also urinated (sorry if this is TMI!) gallons of liquid during that time frame!

At that point I began to roll my neck in circles in both directions, and I could hear a ton of crunchiness in my neck. After I stopped rolling my neck, I took a deep breath in. My nasal passages felt clear and I experienced an amazing feeling of clarity, of a rush of pure oxygen right into my brain. My vision sharpened and I felt blood coursing throughout my entire body, including my psoas and right down to my feet.

It was an amazing sensation of lightness and sharpness. I slept like a baby all night, and when I woke up, my right shoulder felt amazing! Still some lingering tightness in my right psoas, but it feels a lot longer. And no sciatic pain! 

There are many true believers of cupping, and of course, many skeptics. I believe in the power of the mind and body connection. I believe that we have to take charge of our health, wellness and happiness. I believe that variety is the spice of life! I still believe in magic, too!

Annica! Annica! Annica!! be happy be happy be happy