THE SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANK
-An experiential account by Sanya Sundar
Invented by John. C. Lily in 1954, the Sensory Deprivation Tank, also called a floatation tank/isolation tank/sensory attenuation tank is a form of alternative healing technique that has created quite the sensation.
So what is it really? What does it do?
As the name suggests, the key function is to deprive the body of sensory inputs. This is ideally achieved in a tank full of water mixed with enough Epsom Salt (approximately 40%) in order to give the effect of floating - 10 inches deep water and enough Epsom Salt to create a specific gravity of 1.275. The presence of salt makes the water heavy, thus resulting in an effect of ‘floating’.
Furthermore, the room is deprived of as much light and noise pollution as possible. The goal is to get the room pitch black and completely sound proof the environment. It’s advised to spend at least an hour to an hour and a half in the tank to get the desired effects.
The benefits of sensory deprivation include muscle relaxation, better sleep, decrease in pain, and decreased stress and anxiety, to list a few.
The specific gravity also helps the spinal cord relax, release musculoskeletal tension built up from daily life and rest in a healthy stretched posture. Another added advantage to the tank is the essential magnesium sulphate minerals that it facilitates. This is especially helpful for those suffering from migraines & arthritis.
Giving your senses a break from stimuli for a specific period of time gives an effect similar to that which occurs when you sit for an extended meditation. Your mind may feel clear and refreshed, with an increased sense of focus and concentration. You will also feel the effects in the reduction of noise or chatter in your head. Entering into meditative states can help you in various ways like cultivating focus, deepening understanding, doing spiritual inner work, healing from past traumas, and even enhancing creativity and access areas of your mind that are otherwise left hidden in the mad rush of an everyday life. While these are considered the general benefits experienced by most healthy individuals, its results are quite subjective based on each individual.
There have been studies and reports of individuals who have also had undesirable difficulty in the tank. These include claustrophobia, increase in anxiety, and in some very rare cases, hallucinations.
As a result, there are some basic things to consider before you decide to give the tank a shot. If you have trouble feeling comfortable in small closed spaces and tend to get claustrophobic, this may not be the right fit for you.
Furthermore, while it decreases stress and anxiety, floating in a space deprived stimuli for your senses may not be everyones cup of tea, especially if you have not had any experience with practices like meditation and mindfulness. In case you feel the tank is increasing your stress and anxiety levels, this may not be the thing for you.
The tank is also not recommended for those medically diagnosed with schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder.
My first experience using the tank was at 1000 petals in Bangalore. I went in for an hour long session, which in retrospect, I should have spent a half hour more. Owing to my overactive and curious brain, I spent the first 15 odd minutes just observing the space and feel of the tank and how my body is reacting to it. The floating, at first seemed odd, but I got comfortable very soon - it feels no different from floating in the ocean or a pool, except, you feel a lot more control in the tank. The water remains warm, at a temperature that is comfortable for the body, but don’t be surprised to feel little droplets of water condensing on your face once you shut the lid of the tank. Having assessed the buttons that help shut and open the tank, I prepared to get into a meditative state for the rest of my time in the tank.
With my ears under the water levels, the sound of my breath was very pronounced even when taken with ease and calm. This was a beautiful feel, one difficult to experience unless meditating in a closed environment devoid of external audio stimulii. The effect of floating in the warm water gave me a sense of being held safely. The lack of audio and visual stimuli coupled with that launched me into an internal landscape much quicker and more seamlessly that I usually am able to.
I spent an hour in the tank, after which I spent an hour relaxing in their garden. The most obvious feeling was one of a reset for my senses - my visual perception seemed brighter, softer and clearer. There was an overall sense of calm and the thoughts in my head were much slower and flowing with an organic ease. My breath felt the same too. Thee quality of my thoughts felt a lot more balanced and creative, I felt more at alignment with myself than from when I had gone in. My speech became softer and slower and with more intention, as it does after longer meditations.
Before finishing this article, I got in touch with Amitabh Swetta, Owner & Cheif Psychonaut at 1000 petals, for a friendly chat regarding the tank. Amitabh, originally from Mumbai, realised he always wanted to help people on his journey to the SELF. He found his spiritual self through the journey of the last 20 years, mastering the Body (Masters in fitness Sciences) the Mind (NLP & Hypnosis practitioner) and the Spirit (OSHO Meditation facilitator/ shamanic & Holotropic breath-work / Bio Energy & chakra scanning & Balancing.
While our discussion flowed through to various interesting aspects of his work and experiences, for this article, I’ll be focusing specifically on his recommendations when it comes to the sensory deprivation tank. He recommends that in order to understand and gain from prolonged benefits of using the tank, one should use it regularly for a period of 6 weeks, post which you can taper out your usage according to your requirements. This is pretty similar to the recommendations given by psychotherapists while getting into therapy as well. He recommends you journal regularly after every session, and more if you plan to use the tank for 6 weeks.
This will help integrate any insight/ideas or other experiences you may have during your time in the tank.
In his experience, the tank is not only used as a tool for healing, but also to help various kinds of sports injuries, back and muscle problems, healing states of depression, anxiety, creative blocks, and even to simply boost the neuroplasticity of your brain.
While the benefits of the tank have been widely recognised in treating sports injuries & for professional athletes, this trend still remains to be appreciated as an alternative healing tool in India, informs Amitabh.
He also speaks of how clients who were dealing with suicidal thoughts have managed to use the tank and the benefits to turn their lives around emotionally. In his words, the tank is a sort of ‘Meditation on Steroids’ and can be used to do deep healing work in shorter time frames.
He speaks of how there is a huge need, now more than ever, for us to move from medication to meditation when it comes to matters of healing the body and the mind. I very much resonate with him on the same. The human mind and body are capable of much more self healing than we have previously understood through mainstream science. The first step to understanding that and learning how to work with it is to begin by going inwards. The sensory deprivation tank, in my experience, is a great tool to use for the same.
DEMYSTIFYING THE MYSTICAL : YOGA WITH ADRIANE
What Andy Puddicombe did for meditation through Headspace, Adriane does for Yoga through her online Yoga tutorials : ‘Yoga with Adriane’. Starting 2013, Adriane opened up her heart and her practice through her engaging Youtube videos to anyone who was interested. Today, apart from the videos, she has created a strong a large community with whom you can take this journey. Similar to Headspace, Yoga with Adriane is less about one fixed structure fro all but instead encourages you to find what works for you. “Find what feels good”, as she puts it. A process into self inquiry is easier with the healthy mind and a balanced body. Yoga helps align your body and your mind with the universe. It is more a way of life than it is an work out regime; and Adriane does a wonderful job of re-interpreting this practice for the modern world in a way which resonates to millions around the world.
Perfect for beginners who are interested in exploring yoga but at their own time and space without burning a hole in their pockets!
You can check out her individual classes or commit to a month of yoga with her free videos. Get acquainted with Adriane here : YOGA WITH ADRIANE
Find What Feels Good : “Your free private place to connect with others about yoga and living life the FWFG way” : FWFG WEBSITE
DEMYSTIFYING THE MYSTICAL : MEDITATION WITH HEADSPACE
We’re all about re-interpreting tools for today’s times and ‘Headspace’ , the meditation app created by Andy Puddicombe does exactly that. The app helps bring the practice of meditation into people’s homes; making it accessible to millions around the world who may not have the time or the opportunity to seek it out own their own. Understanding the experience of mediation is no longer synonymous with a Journey to the Himalayas, but a practice that can be explored and inculcated from anywhere.
The app, along with Andy Puddicombe’s gentle and reassuring voice is a great way for beginners to experience the value of mindfulness. They also have a great amount of reading material and scientific research that will help elevate your journey into self-inquiry.
You can download their app here : HEADSPACE APP DOWNLOAD
Understanding the state of Meditation : WHAT IS MEDITATION
The Headspace Blog is a great source of articles to help you on this journey : HEADSPACE BLOG