Happy Friday Loves! 🙂 One step closer to the weekend and one step closer to that Spring weather! Wow, it is hard to believe it has been 1 month since Christmas? CRAZY HOW TIME FLIES! While it has been a cold, dreary week here in Baltimore, and a business “staycation” as you will, one thing that I am thrilled about is the fact that I am not traveling today. Meaning, early to rise, airport life, airport food (although, getting better), and a 4+ hour flight across the country. At least, that is what I have been telling myself. Today, I am super pumped to share with you an unbelievable experience I had yesterday! I had the opportunity to check out a local wellness establishment – Truth Mind, & Body – in Hunt Valley, Maryland for a little “float” time, followed by a deep tissue, super therapeutic, massage. I believe they call this the “flow-ssage” package, but I will get to that piece in a moment.
The massage therapist who I visit on the regular has been wanting me to try “floating” for awhile and, I have been keeping my finger on the pulse with it becoming a super popular wellness trend. Although I don’t even like to use the word “trend” because I hope it is something that stays. The closest place, up until almost 1 year ago, that even offered this type of service was almost an hour away. While that is not horrible, it kind of beats the whole relaxation component when you have to get back in your car and sit in good old Baltimore/D.C. traffic! While I have been exposed to various bath houses, saunas, sweat lodges, etc., this was like nothing I have ever experienced…and I am kind of hooked.
As I mentioned, Truth Mind, & Body is located in Northern Baltimore County, and has been in business for about 10 months. I LOVE one of their many fabulous tag lines – “we are therapy – rethought.” And that is so on-point! Owner’s Stacey Loizeaux and Bob Breckel came up with the concept as a way to bring a new-age kind of wellness, and “medicinal” techniques, to as many people as they could in the area, especially since they have gone through their own struggles with aches, pains, injuries, arthritis, and much more. To read their full story, check it out HERE!
“Incredibly unique” does not even begin to explain all that this establishment has to offer. That, coupled with they super friendly and accommodating staff, makes this a go-to for everyone’s wellness needs. You can find a full list of their services, HERE, but for the “Reader’s Digest” version:
- “Human,” Hydro, and 3D Chair Massage
- Epsom Salt Float Suites
- Acupuncture
- Skin Care, Facials, and Waxing
- Reiki and Healing Touch
- Assisted Stretching
- Live and Virtual Yoga
- Infrared Sauna
- “Speakeasy” (Get It?) Lounge
- Boutique with homemade body products by Stacey, and apparel, jewelry, and paintings from local curators, designers, artists, etc.
Okay, time to revisit my floating experience! You can take a peek at my videos on Instagram! After a brief tutorial, 5 minutes of music comes on that signals you to talk a water-only shower. This removes any oils, lotions, etc. that may affect your float. Once the music comes to a close, another 5 minute set comes on that signals you to enter your float cabin.
“Our floats are experienced in a roomy, enclosed “float cabin” situated inside a private “float suite.” The single cabin tub is filled with about 300 gallons (8” to 10” deep) of 94 degree (skin temperature) water in which we’ve dissolved a little over half a ton (1,100 lb. to be precise) of Epsom salt. The resulting float solution is roughly 10% more dense than the Dead Sea – which means that once you step inside, lay back and relax, absolutely ZERO effort is required on your part to float” {Truth Mind & Body}!
I grabbed my floatable neck pillow (geez, I wish I could remember the exact name of it), put my earplugs in, and started the process of trying to decompress and CHILL OUT. After the 2nd, 5 minute set of music is up, it goes completely quiet, and the blue lights, with the white overhead twinkle lights, slowly go off and you are in complete darkness. Since this is a 60 minute float, with 10 minutes, and another 5 minutes on the back end, you are floating for ~45 minutes. If this is not your “thing,” or you find you are extremely claustrophobic, you have access to putting the lights back on, and even opening the magnetic float cabin door.
While you are floating…ha…let me share with you the BENEFITS!
“As the mind enters a deep state of calm, your body cannot help but experience similar effects. The body has an opportunity to reset and realign itself, and it is common for neck, back, and joints to pleasantly pop during a float. Blood pressure reduces as the body moves away from physical tension related to the “fight or flight” instinct and enters its natural state of rest.
Research has demonstrated floating reduces pain of multiple types, whether caused by an acute injury, physical exertion, or chronic condition—including tension-related muscle pain and fibromyalgia. Muscles feel especially positive benefits from floating, as the combination of support and Epsom salt work together to give them total relief. The body absorbs magnesium from the Epsom salt-infused water, which facilitates flushing of lactic acid from tired muscles.
Magnesium sulfate also helps build bones, enables nerves to function, and is essential to the body’s production of energy from food. The high concentrations of magnesium sulfate used in flotation therapy promote its absorption, which can also reduce inflammation and pain, improve heart conditions, support mental health, contribute to longevity, and more.
An additional benefit enjoyed by many is an excellent night of sleep following a float, which serves those with insomnia or recovering from shift work or jet lag. The relaxed, easy feeling of the ‘post-float glow’ is something that has to be experienced to be understood.
The primary reasons people float are to reduce chronic anxiety, heighten cognitive function and relieve pain. Some people float to escape the hustle-bustle of life and relax for a few hours, while others use floating as a therapy for anxiety and stress . Floating is also used to increase creativity, to find clarity in problem-solving, improve attention and retention, as well as explore thoughts and emotions in a semi-conscious or meditative state. Others float to enhance athletic performance or to help manage and reduce pain and inflammation as a supplement or replacement for pain medication and physical therapy” {Truth Mind & Body}.
As your float comes to a close, the lights slowly start to come back on, and another 5 minute music set comes back on. Now it is time for another shower – this one can include shampoo/conditioner and shower gel – and on for your day! I was lucky enough to be heading into a fabulous “post-float” massage. My therapist, Kent, said this is one of the best ways to receive maximum benefits of both the float and massage…do them back to back!
Needless to say, my massage was AWESOME! I shared with Kent my ankle issues, as well as, what I have self-diagnosed, as nerve damage on my right arm from a tetanus shot I received prior to going to college. He was the first person who has ever worked on me to say that there was such a discrepancy between my left and right arm! Looking for anything to bring me relief – really, I cannot even lift heavy weights without my arm swelling, getting super red and blueish, and hurting for days after – Kent assured he could help bring it back to (almost) normal with just concentrated work. That to me would be HUGE in and of itself.
And, as far as my ankles go, continued floating to reduce the pain and inflammation, and giving it a good year, before I start to have it feel better. Here’s to trusting that process! 😉
Stacey, Bob, and your entire team – Kent, I am really hoping you can bring relief to my ankles and nerve-damaged arm – THANK YOU SO MUCH for your hospitality! It was a perfect way to step away from the computer and the downpour! And, yes, keep repeating your mantra day in and day out – “Build the place you want to go, and your tribe will follow!” It is, TOTALLY, happening!
Until my next visit!
xoxo
P.S. Make sure to peruse their website for everything they offer (and can customize) too! Funny, I find that they are in a perfect alignment with the corporate wellness company I co-own, 2 Health Nuts. By the way, have you checked out the website yet?
P.S.S. The “banner picture” is courtesy of a client who drew that “post-float.” They have 3 boards in which you can write (or draw) inspirational messages as to how you felt during the process or afterwards. According to Bob, this will never be erased! I mean, why would you?!?!
Disclosure: While all thoughts and opinions are my own, this post contains some affiliate links in which I may be compensated (at not cost to you). This compensation helps with keeping my blog up and running, and creating amazing content to share! I cannot thank you enough for your support, feedback, and following! You are the best!
