FAQ & Policies

Floating is time in warm, highly buoyant Epsom-salt water that lets your body stop working so hard. You float effortlessly in a private suite, with light and sound fully under your control. In research, you’ll usually see the term Flotation-REST, short for Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy. That term is generally more accurate than “sensory deprivation,” since many people actually notice inward sensations more clearly, like breath, heartbeat, or the fact that they have shoulders. You can go full dark and quiet if you want. You can also keep the light on, crack the lid, add sound, and treat it as a very calm reset.

Only if you want it to be. You’re in charge. Lights can stay on or off, the lid can stay open or closed, and you can add music or sound if that helps you settle. Some guests begin in cozy mode and gradually work toward deep-space mode. Both count.

A lot of people wonder about that, and many end up feeling much more comfortable than they expected. Still, nothing is forced. You can keep the lid open, leave the lights on, add sound, or get out at any time. If you want a gentler entry, a shorter float or a vibroacoustic session first can help your nervous system understand that this is, in fact, a safe place to stop bracing.

You’ll have an easy way to reach us at any point. We’ll show you exactly how it works during check-in and make sure you feel clear on everything before you begin. Quiet is the goal. Uncertainty is optional.

Yes, and yes. People often drift in and out of sleep because the body finally gets the hint that it can let go. The high salt concentration makes the water extremely buoyant, so you stay afloat with very little effort. We’ll also go over the basic safety guidelines beforehand so you can relax without running background calculations.

Yes. The water is filtered and sanitized between every guest using a multi-stage system, and each suite is thoroughly cleaned and reset after use. Shared areas are also cleaned throughout the day. If you have sensitivities or specific questions, ask. We’d rather be precise than mysteriously reassuring.

The float tanks are maintained with a multi-stage filtration and sanitation system, including ozone, to keep the water clean and clear. Rooms are thoroughly cleaned and reset after every session so the space feels fresh, safe, and ready for the next person.

Plan on about 90 to 120 minutes total. The float itself may be 60 or 90 minutes, and the rest covers check-in, a shower before and after, and a few unhurried minutes to rejoin ordinary gravity. In winter, that first step back into Vermont air can feel especially informative.

Not much. We provide towels, shower basics, earplugs, and combs. If you wear contact lenses, bring a case. Please skip heavy fragrances before your visit, both for the tanks and for the other people sharing the air.

Yes. Each suite includes a private shower with basic toiletries, towels, ear protection, and combs. We also keep a few useful extras on hand, like water, herbal tea, Vermont maple syrup, makeup remover, and petroleum jelly for small cuts or sensitive spots. If you forgot something reasonable, there’s a fair chance we’ve seen this before.

A light meal usually feels best. Try not to come in very full, and go easy on caffeine if you know it makes it hard for your system to downshift. Hydration helps. The general idea is settle in, not power through.

The main rule is simple: salty hands and eyeballs do not get along. If salt gets in your eyes, fresh water is there to rinse them right away. Small cuts or very dry skin can sting a bit, so we provide petroleum jelly to cover sensitive areas beforehand.

Maybe, but we do need to protect the tanks. If you’ve dyed your hair in the last few days, make sure the shower water runs fully clear first. If color is still coming out, we may need to reschedule. It’s not personal.

If it’s fresh, please wait. A new tattoo or piercing is still healing, and salt water can sting and interfere with that process. As a general rule, book once the area is fully healed and no longer scabbing, peeling, or tender. For many tattoos, that means at least 2 weeks, sometimes longer depending on placement and how you heal. If you’re unsure, ask your artist or send us a note and we’ll help you choose a sensible date.

Yes. Many guests do. Use whatever menstrual product you normally trust and you should be fine. Some people find floating especially helpful during cramps or low-energy days because the buoyancy takes pressure off the body and the whole system gets a chance to downshift. Guests navigating perimenopause or hormone swings often describe something similar.

Some guests say it helps, especially with tension, sleep, and the stress side of the equation. Floating will not rewrite biology in an hour, but it can create a window where your body stops bracing and your mind stops trying to perform competence. If you’re dealing with severe pain, heavy bleeding, dizziness, or anything medically complex, please use your judgment and check with a clinician. Starting with a shorter session can also be a smart way to test the waters.

Completely normal, especially at first. A busy mind often gets louder right before it settles. You do not need to force anything. If thoughts keep moving, let them move and bring attention back to the breath or the simple sensation of floating. If you want a gentler on-ramp, leave a little light or sound on.

You do not need to meditate to float, and there is no prize for being good at rest. Some people use the time for mindfulness. Others daydream, nap, listen to music, or simply enjoy being briefly unavailable to the world. Comfort is the only requirement.

It varies. Some guests come occasionally for a reset, while others build it into a regular routine. Many people find the experience deepens with consistency, but there is no scorecard here. Start where you are and pay attention to what your body actually responds to.

We keep things calm, simple, and unrushed. Private suites, careful cleaning, and a flow that gives you enough room to actually settle. If you’re new, we’ll explain everything clearly, answer questions without weirdness, and then get out of the way so the quiet can do what it does.

Vibroacoustic therapy uses low-frequency sound delivered through a specialized table so you feel the sound as gentle vibration. It is less about listening in the usual sense and more about giving the nervous system a steady rhythm it can follow. The aim is regulation and deep relaxation, not stimulation.

Simple version: Low-frequency sound → vibration through the table → the body registers steady rhythm → the nervous system downshifts → muscles soften → the mind usually follows. You do not have to concentrate or perform openness. You just have to get comfortable.

Vibroacoustic therapy grew out of music therapy and clinical experimentation with low-frequency sound delivered through resonant chairs, beds, and tables. The key shift was moving from the general idea of relaxing audio to sound that could also be felt through the body. Over time, that work developed into dedicated vibroacoustic systems used in therapeutic and wellness settings. Devices and methods vary, but the basic principle stays the same: structured sound is used as a body-level cue for regulation and relaxation.

Float Away uses Dr. Jeffrey D. Thompson’s neuroacoustic sound programs. He is the founder and director of the Center for Neuroacoustic Research, and his work is closely associated with neuroacoustic and vibroacoustic systems designed for deep relaxation, regulation, and guided downshift. That matters because vibroacoustic sessions can otherwise sound a little vague or interchangeable. These are intentional sound programs selected specifically for this kind of experience.

Most people describe it as grounding, soothing, and surprisingly effective at helping the body let go. You lie fully clothed while sound and vibration move through the table and into the body. Some guests feel tension soften quickly. Others drift into that pleasant half-asleep state where time gets a little less pushy.

No. It is designed to be gentle. The vibration is felt more than heard, and we keep the experience within a comfortable range.

Usually 30 minutes. Long enough to create a real shift, short enough that it does not need to become an event.

Either can work well. Before a float, it can help a busy system settle enough to drop in more easily. After a float, it can extend the calm while you re-enter regular life. It also works well on its own on days when you want grounding without water.

Experiences vary, but guests often mention deep relaxation, less muscle tension, steadier mood, and an easier transition into rest or sleep.

For most people, yes. It is non-invasive and low impact. If you have an implanted medical device, a condition that is sensitive to vibration, or any specific medical concern, check with a clinician first and feel free to ask us too.

No. You do not need a belief system, a wellness backstory, or prior experience. Some guests arrive skeptical and still leave noticeably calmer. The nervous system is often refreshingly indifferent to ideology.

Floating reduces external input so your system has room to rest. Vibroacoustics adds structured, low-frequency input to help guide relaxation. One is quiet and spacious. The other is resonant and gently directed. Many guests like both for different reasons.

It tends to be a good fit for people who feel wired but tired, have trouble settling into stillness, want a more guided experience, or want a calm reset without getting in water. It can also be an excellent on-ramp if floating feels a little intimidating at first.

There is no universal schedule. Some guests use it occasionally, others build a routine around it. Start with one session, notice how you feel afterward, and adjust based on what actually helps.