Imagine the feeling of floating in a zero-gravity environment, the tension leaving your muscles and stress and worries of the day melting off of you. While that may sound like something out of a science fiction movie, you can experience this, along with many other benefits associated with floatation therapy, at the Drift Floatation Center in Kane.
During a session, you are treated to your own private room, with floatation pod and shower area. The center currently has two pods, where for a full 60-minute session, you can suspend yourself weightlessly inside 200 gallons of water heated to skin temperature, with a thousand pounds of epsom salts.
“When you’re in there, you have the feeling it’s zero-gravity. You kind of feel like you’re floating in space,” said co-owner Jen Lindquist. “Your goal is to just relax and soak up the benefits of the magnesium and just rest your brain.”
Floatation therapy has been found to help with numerous ailments, reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia, insomnia, fatigue, back pain, migraines, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, Lyme disease and pregnancy.
While laying in a pod full of water may feel a bit intimidating at first, Lindquist said most people become comfortable almost instantly, as the pods are quite spacious and the magnesium helps calm your nerves.
“When you first get into the floatation pod, you almost don’t realize how buoyant your body is. You can leave the pod open or closed, lights on or off, calming music or silence. You are always in control,” noted Heather Stiefel Whittemore, a customer who recently visited the floatation center. “With having chronic Lyme disease, I have ongoing issues with arthritis pain, low immunity, focus, insomnia, and brain fog among other things. The natural health benefits of floating in Epsom salts in the pods that are at Drift help to alleviate many of those symptoms.”
So, your next question probably is, does it actually work? Whittemore had nothing but good things to say about her recent experience at the center.
“When my session was completed, I washed off and couldn’t believe how great I felt. The pain in my joints was minimal, I felt refreshed and alert. I’m looking forward to a restful night’s sleep this evening. I cannot recommend it enough, feel free to tell them I sent you.”
Lindquist said she originally discovered floatation therapy in St. Marys.
“I had some chronic illness that was causing fatigue and chronic pain. It was transformational and I had instant relief.”
After bringing Bonnie Johnson along with her, the two women knew they wanted to find a way for more people to experience floatation therapy. On Dec. 11, 2019, Lindquist and Johnson officially opened the Drift Floatation Center.
The cost for a one-hour therapy session is $55, with $10 off the first float. The center also offers loyalty and referral programs, as well as promotional discounts each week, which can be seen on the Facebook page.
“On our Facebook page every month, we will also have a post to nominate people for free floats,” said Lindquist.
The center is open from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2-7 p.m. on Sunday. To book a session or for more questions, call (814) 406-8015 or visit the company Drift Floatation Center Facebook page.
