We LOVE an honest and open-hearted testimony. This one comes from our Float Ambassador, Jody MacDonald. Thank you Jody!
Let me be honest with you. Writing doesn’t always come naturally to me but today I was given a compliment from a published author who said, “I love reading your newsletters, they’re so well written. Perfect balance of coming from the heart and informative.” Saying that was hard to accept, is an understatement AND I took a deep breath and said thank you. That comment is still sitting with me as I sit to put some thoughts into words. The truth is I struggle to see myself as a writer and the narrative in my head is “why would people want to read what I have to say?”. I love to talk and let things flow out of the ole mouth channel (as I like to call it) but writing always feels a bit like it is forced, like it’s more permanent somehow. This is one of the reasons why I endeavour to be writing more, a practice in allowing myself to be vulnerable in stepping into something that makes me uncomfortable, to challenge myself to create in words and perhaps spark a fire to change a story that has been living rent free in my head…that “I am not a writer”.
Breaking free of the comfort zone is not something we humans are known for doing well. We see that space of comfort as safety, we can control things there (or so we think) but the truth is that comfort stifles us, it drains our creative capacity and leads to complacency…yikes. Enter the Floatation Centre…talk about a space that forced me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. 75 minutes. Just you and a dark quiet space. What will I do for all that time? Will I freak out? Floating, for me, has become a deeply personal practice and has been a game changer in so many ways. Creating the space to get uncomfortable & try new things and let go of expectation has resulted in finding a deeper sense of connection with myself. Connection to the Self can be found in so many ways, it is what I help others do, yet there are times when it is challenging to carve out the time to practice what I preach. Finding that connection to Self free of outside distractions is damn near impossible in the world these days. Breath and meditation are two ways of connecting inward and are two practices I use each and every time I get in that tank. No two floats are the same and there is no way to know what is ahead of you as you enter…it is a time and space to surrender and allow it to unfold. The practice of surrender is how I begin with each float…to go in without expectation, to let it unfold and allow each float to be unique.
I have created a list of things that I do in the tank if I find myself getting restless or caught up in the business of the mind and I will leave them here for you. This is by no means an exhaustive list and I encourage you to tune in to what the body is craving and let yourself be guided intuitively to what you need in the moment.
- Play human pong as I breathe & settle…gently exploring the tank from end to end & side to side.
- Intentional breathing
- counting the breath in and out for a specified
- Box breath (in for 4, hold 4, out for 4, hold 4…repeat)
- Psychological sighs
- Focused chakra breath and meditations
- Full body scans
- Start with the awareness at the top of the head and move though the body breath by breath. Pausing for extra breaths at the heart, the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
- Reiki energy healing…I am a reiki master so I often tune into that source channel and bring the energy into myself as I melt away.
The Floatation Centre has created an incredibly diverse and inclusive space where you feel seen and held as you walk through the door. They are there to support you and guide you through your visit whether it is your first time or if you are a seasoned floater. I cannot recommend this practice enough and I am always here to answer any questions you may have.