Author: Sanctuary Float Spa

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What to expect for your first float at Sanctuary Float Spa

A detailed guide for what to expect before, during and after your float

Interested in trying float therapy? Have you booked your float therapy session and unsure about what to expect. This step-by-step guide tells you exactly what you can expect with your first float therapy session at Sanctuary Float Spa.

Before your float

  • When you enter our relaxing facility, you can expect a quiet, spa-like experience. Upon your arrival, our front desk will guide you to your private suite, show you how to use the float room, and answer any questions you may have.
  • Inside your private suite, you’ll find a dressing area, shower, and float room, containing over 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved into purified water. Before every float, the entire volume of the water/salt solution is circulated and filtered at least three times using an advanced UV process and sterilized using a hydrogen peroxide solution.
  • Each private suit is secure and has a locking mechanism. The glass doors to the float rooms do not latch or lock. Therefore, you can get out of the float room at any time.
  • Prior to entering your float room, you will rinse off in the shower. This is to remove any products or lotions that may be on your skin.

During your float

  • Once you’ve showered, you put in your complimentary earplugs (optional) and step inside your float room. The water is heated to the average human skin temperature of 93.5-95°F, which makes it virtually impossible to distinguish between your body and water.
  • The amount of salt in the float room (combined with the water levels set to about a 12-inch depth) prevents the possibility of sinking. You will effortlessly float on the surface of the water. Even if you become so relaxed you fall asleep, it’s impossible to roll over or drown. There’s that much salt in the water!
  • Once you are inside the float room, the timer starts (60 or 90 minutes) and the experience is up to you.
  • We provide a “halo” to each floater (essentially, a pillow for the water that supports your neck). You can choose to use the halo or not.
  • The rooms are designed to have as little noise as possible. There are multi-colored lights and relaxing music available in the float room, or you can opt for a completely silent and blacked-out float. You control this right from a switch within arm’s reach inside the float room.
  • An advisable start to your float is to just focus on your breathing and allow yourself to become fully relaxed and still within the water. Some people like to meditate. Some fall asleep. Some use the time to reflect. And some focus on stretching and soothing sore muscles.
  • Should you need any assistance during your float session, there is an intercom inside the float room that connects to the front desk.
  •  Once your scheduled time has elapsed, lights will come on in your float room.

After your float

  • Exit the float room and immediately shower and shampoo to remove salt crystals from your body and hair.
  • Your skin will not “prune up” in the float room due to the extremely high salt content. Most users experience softer, silkier skin resulting from the rich magnesium levels of the salt. Magnesium is a key mineral for physical relaxation and recovery, and science has proven that the best way to absorb magnesium in your body is through the skin.
  • After your shower, you’ll get dressed inside the room. Clean towels are provided, as well as basic toiletries, such as body lotion, baby wipes, Kleenex, q-tips, disposable combs, and hair ties. We provide hair dryers in both of our bathrooms located across from the private float suites.
  • Once you are ready, emerge from your private float suite. We suggest taking some time to enjoy our complimentary water and organic tea while you sit in our comfortable lounge at the front of the spa. This gives your more time to unwind and soak in your experience.
  • Prior to leaving, we recommend booking your next float appointment at the front desk. And, be sure to ask about our current deals and promotions!

Enjoy 35% off your first float at Sanctuary Float Spa

Everyone’s float experience is different. However, most people usually need 2-3 floats before they start truly seeing the power of floating. The first time for most floaters is often spent getting used to the experience. Many floaters report acclimating to the experience over several sessions, with the experience improving each time they float.

Sanctuary Float Spa offers a truly unique float therapy experience. The largest float spa in the Twin Cities, Sanctuary Float Spa has five private float rooms that provide an ultra-relaxing session for mind and body.

New to Sanctuary Float Spa? Take advantage of our 35% off your first float introductory offer. Use code #NEWMEMBER when booking your float therapy session.

Book your float therapy session here.

For questions or assistance with booking, please call us at 952-405-6619

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How to prepare for your first float at Sanctuary Float Spa

First time floating? Prepare for your float session with these tips.

If you’re new to floating, you may be a little unsure about how to prepare. We have you covered. This guide walks you through how to prepare for your first float at Sanctuary Float Spa.

Important information

  • You must be 16 years or older to float at Sanctuary Float Spa
  • You must sign a waiver before you float. Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment.
  • We have a 24-hour cancellation and rescheduling policy. We request all changes to your reservations be made at least 24 hours in advance. If not, you will be charged a $25 rescheduling free.

Prepare for your float

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your float session:

  • Avoid caffeine or stimulants 4-6 hours ahead of your float. Consuming caffeine, energy drinks, or any other kind of stimulant can make you jittery inside the float room.
  • Don’t shave or wax the day of your float. The salt water inside the float room can cause irritation to cuts, nicks, or sensitive/dry areas.
  • Don’t float if you colored your hair in the last 48 hours. Hair dye can transfer to the float room. If you’ve recently colored your hair, please wait at least 48 hours before floating. Also, if you have semi-permanent dye in your hair, please refrain from floating until it has been washed out. The dye can stain the water and float rooms. Clients will be financially responsible for any damage.
  • Do you have any cuts or open wounds? If so, you may want to reschedule your float. The supersaturated Epsom salt water could be irritating to cuts or scratches.
  • Do you have a spray tan or user self-tanning lotions? If so, and the water does not rinse clear when you shower, please wait to float. Spray tans and tanning lotions can stain the water and float rooms. Clients will be financially responsible for any damage.
  • Do you have a new tattoo? If so, you may want to reschedule your float until the tattoo has healed. The salt water in the float rooms can irritate sensitive areas and fresh ink can transfer to the float rooms.
  • Factor in time before and after your float. We recommend giving yourself at least 15 minutes before and after your float. This will allow you to fully unwind and relax.

What to bring to your float at Sanctuary Float Spa

We strive to provide everything you may need, so you may not have to bring anything for your float. Your float room is in a private suite with a shower.  No swimsuit is necessary, and we supply paraben-free and sulfate-free bath products, towels, earplugs, bathrobe, spa slippers, q-tips, hair ties and Kleenex. We also have hairdryers in both of our bathrooms.

However, there are a few items you may want to bring:

  • If you wear contacts, bring a contact case or wear glasses. Although unlikely, salt water could get into your eyes during float. Wearing contacts makes it difficult to rinse your eyes out quickly. We provide contact solution in your private float room upon request.
  • If you want to keep your hair dry, bring a swim cap. Some floaters prefer not to get their hair wet (especially during the winter). In these cases, we recommend bringing a swim cap.
  • If you want special toiletries, bring your own. Feel free to bring your own shampoo, condition, body wash, lotion—anything you may want—for after your float.

Watch this before your first float

Below is a great video that shows you how to prepare and what to expect for your first float. Note, this video was created by another float studio, but the tips and guide apply to our spa experience too.

Enjoy 35% off your first float at Sanctuary Float Spa

For all first time floaters, we offer a 35% off discount on 60 and 90 minute float therapy sessions. Use #NEWMEMBER when booking your float therapy appointment.

Want to know what to expect for your first float? Check out our step-by-step guide for what to expect when you float at Sanctuary Float Spa here.

For questions or assistance with booking, please call us at 952-405-6619

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5 Amazing Benefits of Floating

Want to float your way to less stress, anxiety, depression, and pain? Though it sounds too good to be true, science says it’s possible.

Floating, also known as float therapy or sensory deprivation therapy, is the act of entering a dark, soundproof room filled with 12 inches of purified, body-temperature water that is saturated with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, allowing you to simply float, completely weightless and devoid of stimulus.

By eliminating the forces of gravity pulling on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, floating effortlessly relieves pain, promotes relaxation, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves quality of sleep. Below, we share the science behind floating and discuss the amazing benefits of this natural therapy.

Origins of floating


Floating in salt water for therapeutic reasons is not new. People have made pilgrimages to the Dead Sea for centuries. However, over the past 15 years, there’s been a renewed interest in the practice.

In the late ’50s, neuroscientist and psychoanalyst John C. Lilly, MD studied the effects of sensory deprivation flotation on anxiety disorders, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Due to the impressive benefits he saw for people with these conditions, he decided to team up with two business partners — Glenn and Lee Perry — to develop a commercial float tank that anyone could use.

However, at Sanctuary Float Spa, our founder recognized the limitations of the float tank. The tight, confined space of traditional float tanks and float pods is off-putting to most individuals, especially those prone to claustrophobia. That’s why our founder custom designed five private float suites. Each of our float suites is 9 feet long, 7 feet high, and 6 feet wide. Individuals step into the “float room” through a glass door and can control the lights and audio throughout the entire float session.

5 amazing benefits of floating

Floating decreases anxiety and depression

Under stress, your hypothalamus (the almond-sized part of your brain just above your brainstem) signals your adrenal glands to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. Chronic stress leads to an overactive hypothalamus, which can lead to depression.[2] Floating helps combat depression and anxiety by minimizing your cortisol production.[3]

In one study[4], people who floated for 12 sessions noticed decreased pain, stress, anxiety, and depression as well as improved sleep quality and general optimism. The results lasted up to four months post-flotation.

In a single-subject study[5], a 24-year-old diagnosed with autism, PTSD, anxiety, and depression participated in regular float sessions for one and a half years. She experienced beneficial therapeutic effects including improved quality of life, subjective sense of wellbeing, and healthier behaviors. The study quotes her stating: “I feel good, well, like a new person, and so it has made a great difference… It really has and I really want to continue with this because I really need it.”

Floating lowers stress

Floating combats stress in two ways. First, the water’s magnesium inhibits ACTH, a hormone that drives your adrenal glands to release the stress hormone cortisol.[6] Magnesium also improves sleep quality, which contributes to feeling less stressed.[7]

The sensory deprivation component of floating also minimizes stress. In a recent study, people who floated eight times in two weeks saw their cortisol decrease by 21.6 percent. They also showed a 50.5 percent decrease in cortisol variability, meaning, they handled stressful situations better without the cortisol spikes.[8]

A meta-analysis of 27 studies revealed that floating also has relaxation, mood, and performance-enhancing effects, particularly in cases of burnout or chronic fatigue.[9]

Floating relieves physical pain

For people with chronic, stress-related muscle pain and burnout-related depression, floating served as an integral part of pain treatment plans, in one study.[10] Since floating oxygenates your body by promoting vasodilation — better blood flow to the brain, organs, and limbs — it serves to minimize muscular pain and even pain from degenerative disc disease or herniated disks.

Specifically floating provides significant reductions in pain, muscle tension, stress, anxiety, and sadness for those who suffer from fibromyalgia. Floating also increases feelings of relaxation, well-being, energy, and ease of movement in the same group of people.[11]

Floating improves quality of sleep

Floating has been shown to increase sleep time and boost sleep quality. Several studies have measured significant reductions in cortisol production in individuals who consistently float. Cortisol is a hormone with broad-reaching effects in the body. It helps regulate your metabolism; it alters immune system responses, it suppresses inflammation, and it is intricately linked to stress and sleep.

Cortisol—like other hormones—runs on a 24-hour bio clock in your body. Cortisol levels peak first thing in the morning, helping deliver the alertness and energy needed to start your day. Elevated cortisol levels can interfere with sleep.

Floating has been clinically shown to reduce cortisol levels. In a recent study, people who floated eight times over a two-week period saw their cortisol levels decrease by almost 22 percent. [12] In another study, scientists found that one hour of floating is equivalent to four hours of sleep. [13]

Floating enhances mental clarity and focus

Floating is a safe and natural way to enhance mental clarity and focus. A zero-gravity, sensory-free experience, floating provides the perfect conditions for your brain to rest. In one study, researchers measured creativity and focus levels of college students before and after floating. One group spent an hour floating, while the second group spent the hour simply relaxing in a dark room. The students who floated showed “significant increases” on the creativity and concentration tests. [14]

The float suites at Sanctuary Float Spa attempt to remove all external stimuli of the outside world. Here’s how:

  • The super-saturated Epsom salt water is precisely heated to human skin temperature (93.5°F). After several minutes in the float suite, you lose awareness of where your body stops and the water starts.
  • Users have the option to float in complete darkness. Light controls located inside of the float suites can be adjusted to emit various colors or can be turned off.
  • Users also have the option to float in total silence. Audio controls located inside of the float suites can be adjsuted to preferred volume levels. If you choose to listen to music during your float, we have curated a soundtrack of frequency healing tones  that bring the body back into balance and aid in healing.

Discover the healing benefits of floating

A powerful way to heal and restore your mind and body, floating is a simple, effective way to invest in your health, happiness and well-being. Are you wondering what floating can do for you? Schedule your float therapy session at Sanctuary Float Spa today.

SCHEDULE FLOAT SESSION