Float Lab — Attraction in Los Angeles

It was my first time using a sensory deprivation tank so there were some anxiety about it beforehand. However, the attendant was very thorough with instructions and that alleviated some of it.

The following will probably answer questions you might have because I didn’t really see in depth descriptions from other reviews before I went.

Leave your shoes by the chair in front of your room. Once inside, you get to shower and prep for entering the tank— there is body wash, shampoo and conditioner. Don’t condition before you go in. The body wash is very watery— hard to get a proper lather going. You will have to remove your jewelry, makeup, contacts etc before entering the tank.

Earplugs are provided but they were too big for me— they kept popping out. Maybe that won’t be the case for you but, I figured I should mention it.

You climb into the tank naked, the water is warm, just about your body temperature, there are handles on either side once you’re in the tank. The water will only be at around your knees, maybe less if you’re tall. Lie on your back, hand position is up to you.

The ease of next part is dependent on you and your brain— there’s zero light, you can feel the water move around you sometimes and, if your earplugs fall out, you can also hear it. Time stops really making sense after a bit; I did it for almost 2 hours but, it felt like 20 minutes.

The attendant will knock twice on your tank when your time’s coming to an end, if you didn’t leave before your time was scheduled to be up, knock back twice.

Once you’ve found your way back to the door (feel around for the walls and the aforementioned handles), push the door open— it will have a towel on the handle.

Now, you’re outside, standing on a towel on the floor. To your left is the shower, wash yourself throughly. Maybe bring a jacket to shield your shoulders for after your appointment. If you have thick curly hair, you will NOT be able to wash it properly and, when you exit and the air hits your skin, the epsom salt will start solidifying. It’ll look like extreme ashiness. I’d time this for close to wash day because, trust me, you’ll need it. (The shampoo and conditioner isn’t really for black hair)

Once you’re showered, your hair’s washed and you’re dried and dressed, exit the room and make a right towards the stairs to leave through the back door.

I only took a video so, because I can’t post a video on this review, I’ll to post...

I love this place! I love that it's kind of hidden, tucked away in the basement like a secret. Riding down the elevator, you think you're heading into an industrial, boiler room vibe, but that couldn't be further from the truth - it's like walking into a cozy, private spa.

After your initiation video, you're led to your room, which I've found to be spotlessly clean and inviting every time (and it smells just as good, thanks to the ample supply of Dr. Bronner's lavender shower products!). No need to feel awkward about getting nekkid, because it's all you, no sharesies: you strip, shower, and open what looks like a submarine door in the wall... and this is literally the only thing that keeps me from giving the experience a full five stars: the door's threshold is 3 feet or so off the tile floor, and it's up to you to navigate getting in and out of the tank through that door. If you're a little short (i am), this can be a smidge tricky the first time. (If I could make a recommendation here, it would be to have a hinged stepstool with ripstop tape on it attached to the wall under the door - flip it down to climb in, flip it up when you're out). That said, this stubby little, near-geriatric heffer managed it, so pretty much anyone can!

Things to be aware of... 1. It is slippery in there, though not slimy or gross (it's the salt) - find the grab bars inside before closing the door. This will be important in a moment. 2. Sitting down - that thing you've done since before you could walk - is going to make you feel like a drunken monkey, because you are THAT buoyant (again, it's the salt). You WILL NOT sink. But your seated balance, in the dark, will make you feel like a well-moistened astronaut in deep space. This is normal. Lie back, spread your arms, and breathe...

I've been back several times, and each time, I get more out of it - deep relaxation, amazing meditation and clarity, and even some cool dreams. (If you're worried about claustrophobia, you can dim the lights in your shower room and leave the door open with the towel.) I will say this: if you need noise and screens and activity all the time, this may be hard for you, but I enthusiastically encourage you to try it! The ability and opportunity to totally disconnect from all the distractions and stressful chaos of the world is such an amazing, empowering experience. I can't wait...

There is a lot nearby called Broxton Public Parking - it is 2 hrs complimentary before 5pm, but after 5pm there was a $5 flat rate. Walk to the Float Lab entrance on Westwood St and use the intercom. Try to arrive a little early (~10/15min) bc they have to show you a video first and explain the instructions, which another review here has in detail (use the bathroom if needed, leave your shoes outside the door, shower before to scrub off all other skin and hair products, don't use the conditioner, remove all clothing and items including jewelry and contacts, dry your face fully to lessen the chance that salt water later gets in your eyes, put in the foam earplugs by rolling them very thin and quickly putting them in and holding them until they finish expanding, get in and float until they knock or leave early, close the tank door fully - a red light will turn on - and shower again, leave on your own).

This was my first ever float. Personally, I had a difficult time finding an arm position that didn't make my shoulders tense, but eventually I settled on having my arms half-raised, elbows ~90 degrees, with my hands about in line with my ears, and that allowed me to relax more. Alternating btwn tensing (to pull my shoulders back / "good" posture) and relaxing muscles also provided some relief. I was very conscious for a while and thinking / self-talking about various things, then at some point I kind of ran out of things to think about or got tired of focusing on them, and seemingly out of nowhere the knock came - I truly have no feeling or memory for how long there was between the "giving up" and the "knock" events. If I had to guess, it was at least 30 minutes out of the hour float (I arrived late).

They are also...