Frequently Asked Questions
Trust us, we’ve heard it all. If you’ve got questions, it’s likely that these frequently asked questions will help you!
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What Services do you offer?
Check out the current services on our pricing page or by booking an appointment here - Book Online
Float therapy is the primary service offered at Flow Spa and we have three different float rooms with different float cabins and pods in them to customize your experience.
We also have registered massage therapists.
Our sports recovery room currently has an infrared sauna, and hot and cold plunge pool* in it for cryotherapy or contrast therapy between hot and cold, which is extremely effective for speeding up recovery and eliminating inflammation in the body.
Our therapy room features additional mindfulness and recovery tools as well as days dedicated to psychotherapy appointments. If you’re looking to see how effective floating is at quieting your mind, you may be interested in using the Muse meditation headband to explore your baseline before floating and after, or just use it for tracking your meditation progress. We also use our therapy space for Normatec appointments on the days our psychotherapists aren’t in the office.
The Normatec pulsed compression system suit is a state-of-the-art solution for sports recovery in promoting blood flow and reducing muscle soreness. The Normatec is available in our lounge area as a stand-alone service or as an add-on to other treatments.
Do you offer direct billing?
We can direct bill for massage therapy treatments with our RMT. The majority of common insurance companies are with the Telus e-claims service we use and we also are set up to accept Greenshield and Blue Cross.
Is there anything I should do to prepare for my float?
Hold off on the coffee for several hours beforehand (it can make it harder for you to relax). Another reason for avoiding the caffeine is that hydrating well is important before and after floating, so be sure to drink plenty of water. Also, we suggest not shaving the day of your float, the salt water can irritate your skin. Eating a light meal about 60 to 90 minutes ahead of time can help to prevent any distracting stomach rumbling. Other than that, there’s no specific preparation needed. This relaxing experience will be uniquely yours.
Do I have to stay in the float tank the whole time?
The experience is completely under your control. We’re there to facilitate your session and keep track of time for you. There aren’t any latches on the pod or cabin doors, and you can get out anytime. That being said, the 60-minutes usually goes by way faster than you’d expect.
People refer to this as the time-travelling effect of floating - the environment of a float pod or cabin provides you with nothing to anchor you to the concept of time and you become so relaxed that time becomes irrelevant.
If you need to get out for any reason, remember that you are in complete control of the experience and if you need to take a lap, stretch out, or if you think that you’ve been cryogenically preserved in the tank for a millennium and you need to check your watch then you may do so.
Is there a right way to float?
There’s no right way to float and we like to let each person choose their own adventure. Each person should find whatever position is comfortable for themselves. Some people float with their hands at their sides, some with their hands folded across their chest or abdomen or behind their heads. If your shoulders feel like they are being pushed upwards because of the buoyancy, try your hands in a position at or above ear level so that your palms are facing upwards. You can keep your head at either end of the pod or cabin or even sit up if you like. You may float with the door open or closed. Explore what’s best for you!
What if I’m claustrophobic? Do I have to close the lid?
Being in a float pod or cabin feels like floating on a cloud. You’re always in control of your environment, and even customers with extreme claustrophobia have reported having no problems during their time in the cabin. We specifically chose the Pro Float cabins for a more spacious environment for those who don’t want to feel closed in. You can always leave the door open for as long as you like – again, you’re in control. The lights and music in all of our tanks can also stay on if you feel more comfortable that way.
Does It Have To Be Sensory Deprivation?
Not at all. You can leave the lights and music on to your preference and still benefit from float therapy. We have many clients who prefer to float this way or do so because of conditions like tinnitus that make it hard to relax without some calm music playing.
Can I float if I’m pregnant?
Pregnant women love floating!
There is even a special position you can float in that relieves all of the weight of the baby off of the mother’s body which can be a great help to those suffering from lower back pain. If you are in your third trimester or have any concerns, please consult with your physician before coming in.
Can I float if it’s ‘that-time-of-the-month’?
Yes. If you’re on your period it’s still ok to float. Just follow the same protocol you would for a swimming pool.
Bathing Suits In The Float Tank Are Optional
What do you wear in the float tank? While some new floaters are more comfortable with a bathing suit on, it’s totally optional. Your room is your own private sanctuary with its own shower and privacy lock on the door. Do whatever feels more comfortable for you but most of our customers notice that their floats become that much better when they choose to forego the bathing suit and eliminate that distraction and sensation of clothing.
Salt and Sensitive Skin Conditions Like Psoriasis or Excema
The salt concentration in the float tanks is very high and can sting or cause discomfort to sensitive skin. This can be particularly disconcerting if the Epsom salt bothers your genitals and surrounding area. The best thing to do if you experience any discomfort is to use the petroleum jelly packet to create a protective layer. Upon reading into this further, I have found it is recommended that if you do use petroleum jelly in this fashion on or around your genitals to be sure to fully wash it off in the shower after your float is done.
Do I need to bring anything to Flow Spa?
If you have longer hair, you may want to bring a comb. Also, something to put your contact lenses into while you’re in the float pod. Other than that, we provide everything you need (towels, robes, earplugs, body wash/shampoo, moisturizer, tea, water, hair dryers).
If you’re coming in as a group for cold plunges or sauna, you may want to wear a bathing suit or whatever you’re comfortable wearing as a group. You’ll be in a private room though.
What kind of float tanks do you have?
We have 2 Pro Float Cabins and 1 Pure Flow - Float Pod. They may look different but other than that the experience in each cabin and pod is the same sensory deprivation experience.
What’s the temperature of the water in the float tank?
The float tanks are set to be what we like to call skin-receptor neutral temperature which is about 95 degrees. We have found this to be perfect for most of our floaters to not get too hot or too cold and to lose sensation of the water around you. While the temperature can be adjusted, the ideal float experience comes from not noticing that you’re even in water.
Can more than one person float in a tank at a time?
Only one person per float tank is what we recommend. We have three float tanks (one pod and two cabins) in our centre so up to three people can come float simultaneously.
Couples floats in tandem in the float cabins is available as an add-on option.
Is Floating Safe With High Blood Pressure?
The short answer is, yes!
Because the float tank temperature is the same as skin temperature, you won’t overheat and the relaxation of floating actually helps to reduce blood pressure.
How long have float tanks been around?
The first float tank was developed in 1954. These involved full submersion in water and a breathing device that completely covered your face. The first lay down, commercial tanks were invented in the early 70′s.
Is this something Only Psychedelic Explorers Do?
Floating has been around for over 50 years and has loads of published scientific research to back it up. More research is constantly coming out and the first NIH grant for studying floating as a therapy was given out in 2018. You can learn more at clinicalfloatation.com.
How do you clean the tanks?
The water is fully filtered 3-5 times between each float, passing through an intense filtration system and skimmer for particulate matter and then a UV filter which targets the DNA and RNA of bacteria, viruses, algae and other biological matter and then additional ozonation for disinfection. The combination of ozone and UV creates Reactive Oxygen for an extremely sanitary environment. Furthermore, the Epsom salt solution is naturally sanitary; the combination of the high concentrations of Epsom salt and a small amount of hydrogen peroxide for disinfection make it cleaner than a pool and nearly impossible for microorganisms to survive.
I’m sensitive to chlorine/bromine - is there any in the tanks?
No. We don’t add any of those harsh chemical to our float tanks. There is a small amount of hydrogen peroxide added daily to help the sanitation process; it’s so minimal though that you won’t even notice it.
Will I become dehydrated like a raisin from soaking for so long?
Nope - your skin doesn’t even prune up at all! The magnesium sulphate actually makes your skin very silky and soft. You will absorb some of the Epsom salt, so it’s advised that you to drink plenty of water or tea after your float.
Is there a place to keep my stuff secure while I float?
Each float room is private and there’s a lock on the door to the room so you’re ok to leave your stuff on the bench inside the room while you float.
Can I float for longer than an hour?
We have regular customers who come in to float as long as 4 hours! You’ll find booking options for up to 2 hours available online. This can be booked back-to-back if you’re looking to delve even deeper.
Is this like altered states?
A surprising number of our customers have seen Altered States and comment about it. It was based on John C. Lily, the inventor of the first float tanks. In that sense yes it’s like Altered States, but you’re not fully submerged in water, you don’t eat ritualistic mushrooms, and only a small percentage of floaters turn into proto-human monkeys.
What if I fall asleep in the tank?
The water in the tank makes you completely buoyant and very relaxing – it’s entirely possible that you could fall asleep. Indeed, some people love to sleep during their float and you should feel free to do the same. It’s extremely unlikely that you’ll roll in your sleep and it’s not deep enough to get rolled over in which case the worst that can happen is getting woken up by a bit of salt water in your eyes or mouth.
What If I Get Salt In My Eyes Or Mouth?
The salt content of the float tank solution is very concentrated so this isn’t the same as getting some water in your eyes at the ocean. It will sting and that’s why we keep a wash bottle of fresh water on hand inside or at the door of each pod and cabin. Use the clean wash cloth and the fresh water to gently rinse the salt away.
Can I float if I just dyed my hair?
We recommend waiting about 10 days. While there is no guarantee that the salt won’t strip some colour from your hair, we recommend that you check if the water running through your hair in the shower at home is fully clear. If there is still some colour coming out you should wait a couple of more days/showers.
Do we provide a hair dryer?
Yes! We have a hair drying and vanity area at the end of our hallway. Feel free to make use of that area after your post-float shower. If you would like to also brush your hair, we suggest that you bring your own comb or hairbrush.