Let your troubles melt away at the Calm Water Floatation Centre

This week, we were given the chance to try out the facilities at the Calm Water Floatation Centre in West Bridgford. The centre allows you to step into a tank of water containing an Epsom-salt solution which brings about weightlessness and total relaxation. Simon Redgate, Tourism Centre Manager, and Anna Kiorkian, Membership Account Co-ordinator at Experience Nottinghamshire write about their visit to Calm Water.  Simon Redgate As someone who is always willing to try something a little different, a trip to Calm Water Flotation was one that I looked forward to with a firm degree of intrigue. I’d done a bit of research (checked out their website) and summed up that I’d be spending roughly an hour lying in a tank of water whilst listening to the sound of whales in the background! Upon arrival I was greeted by Nick, the owner and proprietor of Calm Water, and I was taken through the science behind the treatment. In essence the tank’s role is to help shut down three of your main senses – sight (it’s completely dark); hearing (other than a short period at the beginning and end of the treatment it is silent) and most cunningly of all, touch (you float due to the high volume of Epsom salt in the body water) so for the first time ever you are pretty much weightless. With these senses shut down, your body and mind is able to relax in a way that it’s never been able to do before. This allows the body to reset itself and all the stresses of everyday life, both mental and physical, are put to one side as you drift off – in my case to sleep. The result of my treatment was that I felt extremely awake and alert – even though it was lunchtime on a Sunday which is usually the time I’m contemplating a little siesta. I’d recommend a floatation treatment to anyone who is open to trying something new and is after a relaxing and contemplative experience as this is how I found it – plus my skin felt silky smooth afterwards. Move over Oil of Olay! Anna Kiorkian Having already spoken with Nick about the benefits of ‘floating’ I approached my session with excitement if not mixed with a little trepidation! As a life-long sleep walker I was advised that the floating experience could potentially help me to relax my mind and body both conscious and unconscious. Having walked, talked and often eaten in my sleep for the past 10 years I was obviously eager to try this treatment out. Firstly, I felt in very good hands with Nick and his team at the centre. The passion and superb knowledge shown was incredible, totally filling me with confidence in the product before I had even started my experience; and what an experience it was! As I clambered into the pod filled with the Epsom Salt solution, I was sceptical as to whether I would float but sure enough I did! Having closed the pod’s lid and turned out the lights I was initially treated to calming, melodic music which enabled me to relax and prepare for what was to come… As the music faded I was left in a weightless state, held on top of the water. I was unsure whether I would feel uncomfortable with the darkness but I found that my body and mind were able to release the tensions that I had inadvertently been building up. I lost all track of time in the pod (the general idea) and was able to completely relax for the first time in ages, no distractions, no sound, no kids . . . pure bliss! Off I went into a deep sleep – something which I never imagined I would do – and then woke gradually to the calming music I drifted off to. So did it work? Well, I slept through the night following the session and can honestly say that I now feel much more relaxed. I would recommend the floating experience to anyone. Obviously a few more sessions are needed; I may start dropping hints for Christmas!