I used a Groupon to schedule a float therapy session here. Although I'm not 100% sold on float…read moretherapy after my session, I must say that the staff was very helpful and friendly, and the facility is quite nice.
It's a little confusing when you walk in because the Renova Wellness Center is two stories and has several different facilities within the building, including a gym, a tea bar, and a hyperbaric therapy center, all on the first floor.
Because I was running a little late (It's a little difficult to locate their parking lot because it's on the rear of the building, and the only entrance is from Wilson Rd), I didn't have the chance to wander upstairs, but someone saw me frantically searching the unlabeled map on the wall and very kindly directed me to the float center.
The man who helped me make the appointment was seated at the front desk, and he extended a warm welcome and asked my name, signally that they were expecting me. I thought that personalized touch was quite nice. A woman brought me to the float room, and upon learning that it was my first float, showed me how the features worked, explained the benefits (theta wave relaxation brought on by sensory deprivation and deep relaxation), and explained how to work the shower, the vitamin D lights, and put in the ear plugs.
One complaint: The shower head was on the end of a flexible hose, which was awesome, except there was nowhere to place the shower head to keep it hands free, so I had to awkwardly hold it the whole time I was showering. The herbal shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel were delightfully aromatic and sufficiently thick.
The float session itself was nice, but I was not prepared for the small amount of motion sickness that I initially experienced. I think the slight, almost imperceptible movement of the water is what did me in. Once I was able to lie completely still, I did better. I did eventually get to a state of deep relaxation, but it felt like it took me about 30-45 minutes to get there.
Another thing I wasn't prepared for was the amount of salt crusting that accumulated on body parts that were above the water. By the end of the session, my face was crunchy and stiff. I probably should have used the spray bottle and small face towel more often, but I wanted to get into the deep meditative state, so I only used it at the end of the session.
All that aside, the weightless sensation, although slightly disorienting, was quite nice, and I feel like I would probably get better, deeper, more relaxed states with future floating sessions and continued practice.
I loved that nothing felt rushed. The recorded voice gives you an 8 minute warning prior to your 60-minute float session beginning, and it calmly alerts you to the end of your session, as well. I could easily hear it even through the silicon ear plugs.
No one knocked on the door as soon as the chime went off, and no one was standing immediately outside the room as soon as I was done.
On the other hand, I was able to walk out of the float room and across the hall to the tea bar without saying a single word to anyone. The introvert in me didn't mind in the slightest, but others might find it a bit odd.
The tea bar is a tad confusing, and it was completely unstaffed when I was there. Maybe they were short-staffed today, or maybe it was because it was a Saturday. At any rate, there's a sign saying to help yourself to some tea, and there are cups, tea filters, stir sticks, a hot water dispenser, various kinds of sugar, and a metal tin of loose leaf tea simply labeled "K-B tea." I'm still not sure what that means, but it was herbal and delicious. I put a few dollars in the "Donations appreciated" basket, but I was confused by the abundance of other tea bags that were evidently for sale, since they had "$2.99" and other prices hand written on them. I would have liked to purchase one or two, especially since there was a sign advertising a BOGO deal, but again, there was no one in the tea bar. I sat down for a few minutes and leafed through one of the many tea books on the tables in the room, but when no one made an appearance, I gave up and wandered out.
So, overall, I had a very good experience. The facility is quite nice, and the staff (the few of them that there were) were very friendly and helpful; however, I wish the building was more clearly labeled inside and out, and I wish the website had a map clearly labeling each of the facilities, so newcomers would be a little less lost and overwhelmed.
