changing
I feel like sharing my sensory deprivation tank experience. I feel almost like I'm in a trance. Everything feels peaceful. What's kind of crazy is I actually HATED being in the tank....there was no epiphanys..I kept getting salt in my eyes and water in my ears.
I guess I should explain the tank. So you go to room with a shower and a big metal box (about 8 feet long and about 5 feet wide and about 5 feet tall. This big metal box is filled with 10 inches of water that is saturated with a shit ton of epsom salt. There is a towel and ear plugs and q-Tips on a shelf above the big box. The tank is also heated to body temperature (yes very warm and toasty). And since it's a black box it's completely dark inside. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!
SO how the process works is first you shower completely (NO CONDITIONER) and then wipe your face dry and enter the tank. It's also very important you put ear plugs in unless you don't mind getting a ton of water in your ears.
Then you get into the tank and just lay back...It's a strange feeling. It was really hard to get comfortable. I couldn't full let go. I did like how my hair floated around my head. But, after I started getting salt water in my eyes (don't ever touch your face in one of those tanks!) I had to get out and it kind of disrupted the whole experience. The floating was kind of insane. The lack of gravity on your body is just incredibly strange.
I then got bothered by my ears (have my own ear plugs to bring next time).....I then just opted to just sit up in the dark tank and just let my arms float.
I finally just decided to leave the tank (only 10 minutes early) The scheduled time for the tank was an hour. I then took another shower and redressed and went and sat in the waiting room. The man who introduced us to the tanks was there and asked how my float was. I was honest that i didn't know if I enjoyed it.....Then i realized a big discomfort was being alone with my body in the tank..you suddenly become so aware of your physical self. I couldn't just let my body relax...I kept feeling my body when i was in there and trying to connect but I couldn't.
He then informed me that it changes every time. He'd worked there for over 20 years and everyone has different experiences. He said that its a strange situation to be in and the first time for anything is going to be startling and strange and if I wanted to come back and give it one more try that would be great or if it's not for me no worries. I want to try it again. Because of the sensations that came over me after the float. While i was sitting on that couch my body suddenly just felt light....and it's continued to feel that way.
I'm still very confused about the whole experience.
I hated it on one hand..but I feel so different right now...
Mihai and I have discussed plans to move to Europe in a few years. I'm not sure what i want to study now. I still like Art Therapy..but the work I've been doing related to that in the Southside is not really what I want to continue with. I am getting more into the idea of studying holistic health practices...or even, gosh, I don't know. I want to work with people. I love giving tours and doing informal education. I still love the idea of studying alternative practices to health. Over the past few months I've considered going vegetarian or only allowing meat on select occasions (family, nice restaurants)
I'm kind of excited for some of the new changes that may occur in the coming years. I've been on this mission to do atleast one or two new things a week and have kept up with it for over a month! This is in due part to Mihai and my new friend whom I love dearly. She recently asked if I wanted to move to Antartica with her!
I just wanted to share the new experience. I've had a really hard week. So it was nice to have something nice to share. I handle the bad times better than I ever have before...This job that only lasts a few months...has not gone very well and the blame due to my leadership in the project has fallen upon me..I'm working to improve it but it still hurts because I've looked forward to it for months and it will get better and it was probably not as bad as I believe it was but, again, all mistakes fall on my shoulders because it's my responsibility. Situations can't always reach your expectations so it's hard to let things be....but, I think, I'm learning.
I guess I should explain the tank. So you go to room with a shower and a big metal box (about 8 feet long and about 5 feet wide and about 5 feet tall. This big metal box is filled with 10 inches of water that is saturated with a shit ton of epsom salt. There is a towel and ear plugs and q-Tips on a shelf above the big box. The tank is also heated to body temperature (yes very warm and toasty). And since it's a black box it's completely dark inside. YOU CAN'T SEE ANYTHING!
SO how the process works is first you shower completely (NO CONDITIONER) and then wipe your face dry and enter the tank. It's also very important you put ear plugs in unless you don't mind getting a ton of water in your ears.
Then you get into the tank and just lay back...It's a strange feeling. It was really hard to get comfortable. I couldn't full let go. I did like how my hair floated around my head. But, after I started getting salt water in my eyes (don't ever touch your face in one of those tanks!) I had to get out and it kind of disrupted the whole experience. The floating was kind of insane. The lack of gravity on your body is just incredibly strange.
I then got bothered by my ears (have my own ear plugs to bring next time).....I then just opted to just sit up in the dark tank and just let my arms float.
I finally just decided to leave the tank (only 10 minutes early) The scheduled time for the tank was an hour. I then took another shower and redressed and went and sat in the waiting room. The man who introduced us to the tanks was there and asked how my float was. I was honest that i didn't know if I enjoyed it.....Then i realized a big discomfort was being alone with my body in the tank..you suddenly become so aware of your physical self. I couldn't just let my body relax...I kept feeling my body when i was in there and trying to connect but I couldn't.
He then informed me that it changes every time. He'd worked there for over 20 years and everyone has different experiences. He said that its a strange situation to be in and the first time for anything is going to be startling and strange and if I wanted to come back and give it one more try that would be great or if it's not for me no worries. I want to try it again. Because of the sensations that came over me after the float. While i was sitting on that couch my body suddenly just felt light....and it's continued to feel that way.
I'm still very confused about the whole experience.
I hated it on one hand..but I feel so different right now...
Mihai and I have discussed plans to move to Europe in a few years. I'm not sure what i want to study now. I still like Art Therapy..but the work I've been doing related to that in the Southside is not really what I want to continue with. I am getting more into the idea of studying holistic health practices...or even, gosh, I don't know. I want to work with people. I love giving tours and doing informal education. I still love the idea of studying alternative practices to health. Over the past few months I've considered going vegetarian or only allowing meat on select occasions (family, nice restaurants)
I'm kind of excited for some of the new changes that may occur in the coming years. I've been on this mission to do atleast one or two new things a week and have kept up with it for over a month! This is in due part to Mihai and my new friend whom I love dearly. She recently asked if I wanted to move to Antartica with her!
I just wanted to share the new experience. I've had a really hard week. So it was nice to have something nice to share. I handle the bad times better than I ever have before...This job that only lasts a few months...has not gone very well and the blame due to my leadership in the project has fallen upon me..I'm working to improve it but it still hurts because I've looked forward to it for months and it will get better and it was probably not as bad as I believe it was but, again, all mistakes fall on my shoulders because it's my responsibility. Situations can't always reach your expectations so it's hard to let things be....but, I think, I'm learning.