Introducing H2O Float Spa, A New Way To Zen Out

Last month, Toronto was graced by a new spa concept that has been soaring in both Vancouver and Montreal, the H20 Float Spa. I first heard of it after reading a friend’s blog review and thinking, Wow, that’s cool! Being an entrepreneur, I constantly look for balance in my life. I work out four times a week, I do yoga, I drink wine – all things that keep me balanced given my work life is so hectic. But one thing I’d never done? Float.

If you’re anything like me, you’re thinking, What the hell does that do? Well, I decided to try it after reading the aforementioned post, because why not discover yet another solution to being overstressed and overworked? So a couple weeks ago, I grabbed Azra from our office and we headed to the newly opened H20 Float Spa on the Danforth. We heard there were two types of floats and wanted to experience both: one is in an oversized tub, and the other is in an enclosed pod.

Each of the tubs is filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts, which provide you with instant resilience. The water and air are heated to the same temperature as the surface of your skin so you’re not cold. This chemistry results in the experience taking absolutely no effort to float.  So I decided to do the pod and Azra took the oversized tub. Here is our experience…

Nicki in the Pod
First off, I had to say that I was totally scared to shut myself into a “container” filled with water – I mean, I didn’t think I would drown but there is something a little frightening about potentially getting stuck. That said, no worries because there is an emergency button inside the pod, which will immediately alert someone to come and check on you. The other nice thing is that you have your own room. Once taken to your room, the lovely “float expert” explains the process and gives you instructions. Once she leaves you alone in your room (for 90 minutes), you take a shower (washing hair as well) and get into your pod and close the roof. You can change the lit colour of the water to whatever you feel is most soothing, or just float in the darkness. I did that for about 10 seconds and got scared so I turned the light back on.

So now for the experience… Well, I had trouble shutting off is the biggest thing. It took me about 45 minutes to stop thinking about my to dos, my life, what colour I wanted to change the water to, and anything else that was popping into my head. I fault that on me and not the pod. But I will say that the sensation of just floating, once you actually allow your body to do it (letting the neck/head relax to just float is oddly difficult), is a very soothing experience.

I think I was in the pod for about 70 minutes, so I actually did get to let go and afterwards I felt very relaxed. I also slept like a baby that night. It was a very interesting experience and I would definitely do it again – they just need to move more west…

Azra in the Oversized Tub
Unlike Nicki’s pod, I had the opportunity of experiencing the spa’s open concept float, which I was extremely grateful for because the pod sounded slightly scarier. Instead of floating in a pod, I was in room with an oversized tub filled with Epsom salts. Now when I say oversized, I really mean it was huge. So big that I was drifting about in the tub as I was floating. After taking a shower and washing my hair, I hopped into the tub and was relieved to see that the water came up to my mid-calves – no drowning for me here! I also appreciated the fact that the room was heated and so was the water in the tub, because the last thing I wanted to do was be cold while I floated.

I started floating and was super hesitant to fully let go of my body. I like to be in control, and letting it float about was difficult – especially letting go of my head and neck. It took me quite a while to truly relax, but when I did I actually fell asleep floating for a good 10 minutes before I woke up from drifting in the tub. That 10-minute nap was really one of the best naps of my life. Though it was a short power nap, it felt like a lifetime, which is always a plus for people who don’t get enough rest.

To be alone in semi-darkness for an hour and half was something I needed. I feel like in the lives we live currently, we’re always in contact with humans, technology, stress… the works. And that alone time allowed me to really zen out and get away from reality. In the tub, you’re weightless and the floating session seemed to relieve the weight of life as well. I felt oddly calm after the session. So calm and stress-free that I needed to take a walk to truly enjoy myself in my surroundings before I hopped onto the bustling TTC.

Have you tested out the pods or tubs at H2OFloat? Let us know how your float session was in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.