TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Meditation

Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018

Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center

Rating: star star star star star 5 stars (out of 5)
Price: B2100/60 mins | B2500/90 mins
Hours: 10AM-10PM everyday, 7 days/week
Location: Bangkok Float Center, Show DC Complex, Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok Float Center

Bangkok Float Center

Address: Bangkok Float Center, Show DC Complex, Bangkok, Thailand
Email: info@bangkokfloatcenter.com
Phone: 098-628-9599 (Eng) | 093-159-9998 (Thai/Eng)

What Exactly is a Float?
Think of an over-sized bathtub with a top lid. Put 1000 liters of water to have a 30cm depth. Then, add 650kgs of Epsom salt. Warm the water to 35.5° to emulate body temperature. This is now the float environment.

When you immerse yourself into the tub (aka - pod in spa techno-jargon), the salt solution gives you buoyancy to keep you afloat and nullify the effect of gravity. You are now weightless! With water temperature the same as your body temperature, it's hard to discern where your body ends the water begins. It's surreal!

Bangkok Float Center

FIRST FLOAT

Immersion
Coming from an air-conditioned room, the 35.5° water felt soothing. Then my attention was focused on floating. This was my first float and it didn't feel 'normal' at first. It was a new sensation altogether. I tried comparing this with scuba diving on a neutral buoyancy (underwater but neither sinking or coming up) but it wasn't the same with the wet suit and mask strap. I could float while swimming, but it's also not the same. This one felt like the water was pushing me up - instead of me trying to keep afloat. The close comparison would be freediving while being at the bottom of my rope and staying there. But the water pressure of freediving is not in the float. I thought I could keep my mind awake while in meditation, but I fell asleep. The gentle wake-me-up music was my cue to come out of it. One hour felt like a pause!

Surrendering
You might think the body would instantly accept the new environment, but no. It took awhile before I acclimatized. I initially felt heaviness on my neck, but I guess that discomfort was the body trying to reboot itself from the compaction of gravity and bad posture. But when the body finally complied, it felt like dissolving myself into the water. I guess that's also when I fell into sleep. When I came out of it, I was very much at peace. It's almost like doing yoga nidra.

I was told that in some cases, there would be a pleasant after-effect that may come up and last up to 3 weeks. I don't exactly know what that is, but I will be mindful about body changes in the coming days.

SECOND FLOAT

Anticipation
More than anything else, I was curious about this 2nd float. Why? Because my body already has the muscle memory from the first float - so I won't have to acclimatize anymore...or at least I'll have a shorter transition. Additionally, would I then go deeper into my meditative trance?

Desiderata
The initial slight discomfort was still there as the body acclimatized, but lesser and shorter than the first time. This time, I had the familiarity of my stimuli-deprived surrounding - complete darkness, complete weightlessness and complete silence. Usually in meditation, I would focus on body sensations part by part. But this time, I felt dissolved into the water - it was hard to fixate on any body part. I instead focused on my breath for a deep sense of present awareness as I let go. Surprisingly, I didn't fall asleep. My mind was awake the entire time, although it drifted a few times until I would reign it in. At the end of the hour, after having showered and dressed-up, I remained calm and collected. I was reminded of Desiderata, "Go placidly amid the noise and haste...and remember what peace there may be in silence".

Binaural Beat
Because being on the float is to be in a meditative trance, I suggested to Sam (the Director) that instead of ear plugs, why not use a water-proof earphone and play binaural beats to exponentially deepen the trance? Binaural beats activate Theta waves in the brain that induce deep relaxation. It excites me to speculate what synergies arise when you combine these two powerful techiniques - deep relaxation by Floating and deep relaxation by activating Theta waves. Add a little auto-hypnosis to that and who knows? Maybe you walk on water at the end of it :) All I'm saying is that if you are playful (like me), you can bio-hack a bit. Floating can be a blender's base - to binaural beats, to auto-hypnosis, to meditation, to pranayama, etc.

Ending Thoughts
You don't have to go to the Dead Sea to experience extreme buoyancy in extremely salty water. Here in Bangkok, immersion on the Float gives you a surreal sensory stillness unlike anything else that's out there! It has to be experienced.

--- TheLoneRider
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Reader Comments:

Dindo VelasquezDindo Philippines
(Nov 2, 2018) sensory deprivation tank... the US Navy Seals use it for post-mission stress decompression

TheLoneRiderTheLoneRider
(Nov 2, 2018) ah...so there's more to this than simply floating!

dindo_velasquezDindo
(Nov 2, 2018) That's what they call it in the US Navy. The spas, which copied the navy, saw it as a meditation-like thing so they bought the equipment. Then the medical doctors copied the spa and used it for people suffering from brain traumatic injuries such as the NFL

Joy TanJoy Philippines
(Nov 2, 2018) would have been nice to try this when we were there 2

TheLoneRiderTheLoneRider
(Nov 2, 2018) ...always a 'next time' :)

Natalia BhandariNatalia Russia
Mimi Chang Natasha The Moon
(Nov 2, 2018) Oh that was on my list!! Can't wait 🙂

Mark RatcliffMark USA
Mark Ratcliff Photography
(Nov 2, 2018) 650kg of salt!!? Id love to try one day

TheLoneRiderTheLoneRider
(Nov 2, 2018) I guess when it dissolves in the water, the water becomes very heavy....a lot heavier than you, so the heavier water displaces your weight and pushes you up. I tried sinking....but impossible!

Leave a comment?

Next stop:: Window Seat [His Precious]

Float Blogs:

Float Tips:

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Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250


Useful Information

Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
  1. Bangkok in Pictures Mar 17-21, 2021
  2. Bangkok for Passport Renewal Mar 17-21, 2021
  3. Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
  4. 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
  5. Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  6. Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  7. Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
  8. Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
  9. Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
  10. Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
  11. Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
  12. Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
  13. Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
  14. Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
  15. Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
  16. Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
  17. Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
  18. A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
  19. 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
  20. Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
  21. Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
  22. Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
  23. Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
  24. Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
  25. Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
  26. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  27. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  28. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  29. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  30. Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
  31. Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  32. Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
  33. Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
  34. Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  35. Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
  36. Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
  37. Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
  38. Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness Sep 5, 2018
  39. Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
  40. A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
  41. Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
  42. Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
  43. Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
  44. 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  45. Peoplescape: Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  46. Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
  47. Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
  48. Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
  49. Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market July 17, 2018
  50. Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
  51. Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
  52. Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
  53. Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
  54. Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
  55. Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
  56. Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
  57. A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006
Bangkok Cost Index

as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53

  • Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
  • Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
  • Bht 220 one hour massage
  • Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
  • Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
  • Bht 25-30 coffee
  • Bht 30-50 pad thai
  • Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
  • Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
  • Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck

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