Dynamic Editor Tess de Klerk took her daughter for a relaxing spa session in Hove

Hove’s Float Spa is more health & wellbeing centre than spa. TESS DE KLERK & JASMIN JETCHEV decided to try them out

THE FLOAT SPA

The spa off ers a wide variety of options to aid us in feeling good – yoga, infrared sauna and osteopathy to name but a few. Of course, the fl oatation pods are the main attraction.

Th e fi rst thing that struck me was the quiet calm. Th ere were plenty of shoes on the shoe racks but the atmosphere was so zen that we could have mistaken ourselves for the only clients. Camille, the lovely owner, explained that the rooms are soundproofed as the fl oatation pods are all about sensory deprivation.

Sensory deprivation – the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli – has been proven to aid in muscle recovery, reduce anxiety, pain and help with various stress-related conditions such as insomnia and hypertension.

Th e pods are fi lled with water and massive amounts of magnesium-based Epsom salts to create the same fl oating conditions as in the Dead Sea. Each pod is in its own room, and clients are asked to use the shower before entering the pod. Th e water is maintained at skin temperature which we found to be the ideal temperature and found the pods easy to use.

Once inside and lid closed there really was sensory deprivation - complete silence, absolutely no light (there is a light

switch as well as call button inside the pod if needed) and the sensation of fl oating. It took both of us some time to get used to this environment. We are all so used to constantly being ‘on’ and stimulated but we both got to a point of total relaxation within our hour session. Once inside and Camille suggests three sessions in order to really get used to the unusulid closed there al environment; I can see the wisdom in that. I, for one, can see how during really was sensory a second session I would fully relax deprivation – faster. We left the pods feeling very calm complete silence, absolutely no light as well as rejuvenated. My back muscles most defi nitely felt happier than they had in some time and we know and the sensation of fl oating that magnesium is magic nectar for achy muscles. Jasmin said it best, I think, “I feel as if I have woken from a nap but not the type that leaves you groggy; the kind that you wake up from feeling rested and rejuvenated.” Th e Float Spa, 8 Th ird Avenue, Hove www.thefl oatspa.co.uk T: 01273 933680