I experienced both a float therapy session and a virtual barre class. See below for details on…read moreeach.
FLOAT THERAPY
I always heard people talk about float therapy, so I finally jumped on the bandwagon with a 60-minute float. As a complete newbie to the float world, I did not know what to expect. Since there wasn't any information on the website to help explain what to expect or anything I should/shouldn't do before arrival, I researched float therapy online and looked at other spa information pages for advice. I am SO GLAD that I did, too. As someone who has a hard time turning her brain off, doing so contributed greatly to my ability to relax during the session. I would encourage Heat to provide "before you go" tips for this reason. (Some examples of helpful pre-therapy advice I found elsewhere was to avoid shaving beforehand, eat something light, avoid caffeine and other dehydrating drinks, don't use lotions with tanner in it within 72 hours of your float, and avoid therapy if you just recently dyed/permed your hair).
Heat has two float therapy rooms, each equipped with a float pod, a shower (for pre-/post cleansing), towels, ear plugs, and other personal items. Once in the room, I put my ear plugs in, did my pre-float shower, and got situated in the tank. While first laying back and getting used to the floating feeling, the lights in the room were still on (they turn off after lack of movement). I appreciated this as I adjusted. I also wanted to point out that the door to the pod is EXTREMELY EASY to open and close. It also does not latch, which may be helpful for those who are claustrophobic to know.
Once in, I turned the inner pod lights off, laid back with the floatation device behind my head (optional), and spent some time trying to calm my mind from thinking of any and everything by focusing on the music and my breathing. Eventually, I felt relaxation and noticed I could no longer tell where the water and my body met. Since I had no concept of time in the pod, it is hard to say how long I experienced everything. However, I especially enjoyed when I would lightly stretch my neck or shoulders every once in a while and would feel/hear things cracking and releasing.
When my time was up, I stretched and showered off. I chose to change in my room, but Heat also offers the option to change in their yoga locker room area if the room is too humid and sticky after the float session.
Overall, I really enjoyed my first float experience. My mind had a hard time staying relaxed throughout, but I think that is to be expected for the first session. I was thankful I prepped by doing some research online to help prepare, though. I also imagine I will be more at ease when I go back to give it another go at some point.
BARRE
I was thrilled to see that Heat offered Barre classes, so I signed up and participated in the virtual Barre 2 class. It kicked my butt in the best way possible. It provided a variety of exercises to knock out a full body workout. Variations were shared by the instructor for certain moves - which was a relief - but the pace stayed steady to keep the sweat going nonstop (minus a break before the legs workouts).
As the only virtual attendee and being new to Heat Yoga, I felt a little awkward and isolated at times, but that may just be the challenge of trying to go virtual with live classes. I have only ever done virtual classes where my camera and mic are off and the instructor is the only person on the other side. This was very different, so I am glad I got a chance to test out what it is like.
While the screen/camera in the room was set so that I wasn't looking directly at people face-to-face (thanks!), the angle and distance from the instructor made it hard to see what some positions were or what small moves I should be concentrating on. It may have been better to have the screen set up behind the instructor as if I were another person in the room facing the front of the room and watching, but I understand that tech logistics in a studio can be limiting. I also would have appreciated instructions/tips in the confirmation email to know how to set up (i.e. have camera on/off, have mic on/off, are weights needed, what to use if you don't have a bar at home, etc.). I think that would be a great "little extra something" to help virtual attendees feel prepared and confident.
